My Hometown 2012

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My Hometown The Ties That Bind...

The places that help form our communities

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My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

CAROLINA THREAD TRAIL linking land, people, communities by ALAN HODGE Once, Native Americans roamed the woods and fields of our area on trails that had been known to them for centuries. Now, a new network of pathways is under development that will link land and people in much the same way. Known as the Carolina Thread Trail, the system will eventually span a 7,300 sq. mi., 15-county area of the Piedmont in both North Carolina and

South Carolina, touching the lives of more than 2.3 million citizens and making access to 40 attractions easier. The Carolina Thread Trail concept dates back to 2005 when the Foundation For the Carolinas brought together over 40 regional leaders and organizations to discuss environmental needs and concerns. Out of that meeting, the number one problem was identified as a lack of green space. In 2007, the Carolina Thread

Trail was born as an endeavor whose focus was on preserving “green� corridors as a way to connect people and nature through a series of trails. Other benefits of the trail include the promotion of economic development, better health for folks who use it, land conservation, and positive interaction between communities. The Thread Trail is a longterm project with development expected to take between 10 and 20 years. Right now, nearly 100 miles in 14 corridors of the Tread Trail in both Carolinas has been completed. Key players in the Carolina Thread Trail include the Catawba Lands Conservancy, Foundation for the Carolinas, Philip Blumenthal, Director of the Blumenthal Foundation, and Wildacres Retreat, and the Thread Trails’ Regional Advisory Council. The Thread Trail is financed by both private donations and public funding. The funding plan was developed after two years of studying other regional greenways in the nation. The network is also going to serve as a link between other regional trails and attractions. Gaston and Cleveland counties have come on board the Carolina Thread Trail network in The Carolina Thread Trail at South Fork River is one of several stops in our area. The Thread Trail is celebrating five years and 100 miles on the ground this year. Contributed Photo

a big way with destinations both denville. newest outdoor attraction, Goat old and new being part of the Cramerton is another Car- Island Park on the South Fork system now or in the future. olina Thread Trail participant River. The park was built on the These include with its River- previously overgrown island in Belmont Abbey side Greenway. the middle of downtown It is indeed College, CrowThis 1.2 mile Cramerton and was dedicated ders Mountain loop is also on June 30, with a daylong celea privilege and a State Park near the South bration that featured music, pleasure to work on along Kings MounFork River and food, boat shuttle rides, and a project that has tain, Daniel is on land that speeches. Stowe Botaniwas donated by Goat Island Park is accessible such a positive cal Garden, Burlington In- by canoe, kayak, or a 181-foot impact on our Mountain Isdustries in pedestrian bridge. It features an land Educacitizens and visitors 1993. The trail open air amphitheater, an 18tional State begins in “Old hole disc golf course, an obsertoday and will be Forest near Town� and has vation pier, picnic shelter, here for the Mount Holly, river overlooks, walking trails, an a playground the South Fork enjoyment of future a picnic shelter, structure that is similar in size Catawba River, fishing dock, and shape to large tree trunks. and Spencer generations to come. canoe ramp, In Mount Holly, the Carolina Mountain near Shirley Brutko, restroom, and Thread Trail/Catawba River conGastonia. b a s k e t b a l l nection continues with the President, Kings Mountain Greenways Gateway Trails, Inc. court. The trail greenway at Tuckaseegee Park. in our area that is ADA compli- The greenway and ADA compliare part of the Carolina Thread ant. ant trail is on the river and is one trail include Catawba Creek The Riverside Greenway is Greenway, Highland Rail Trail also convenient to Cramerton’s See THREAD TRAIL, 5A near Gastonia, Catawba River Greenway at Tuckaseegee Park in Mount Holly, Riverside Greenway at Cramerton, and the Spencer Mountain-R.Y. McAden Blueway at Spencer Mountain. The Spencer Mountain portion of the Thread Trail is very interesting in that it is near the site of a former textile plant that was torn down several years ago. Most of the homes that were associated with the mill are also gone. That stands in sharp contrast to the new recreational opportunities afforded by the South Fork Catawba River that flows past where the mill and houses once stood. The Spencer Mountain-R.Y. McAden Blueway features a canoe/kayak launching area, a place where folks can wade in the river, and a parking lot for vehicles. Once launched, boaters can drift down the South Fork River enjoying a wide range of plant and animal life including deer, beavers, herons, turtles, fish, and ospreys along its shores. The 5.5 mile journey generally takes a couple of hours. Boats can be taken out of A bicyclist enjoys the Gateway Trail in Kings Mountain, a portion of the photo courtesy of Shirley Brutko the water at Pharr Yarns in McA- Carolina Thread Trail.

The sights and scents of a winter’s eve will envelop guests as Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden celebrates this special season. Our annual holiday display promises surprises aplenty with a new festive display of Christmas trees, a lighting display with a natural flair, and a touch of warmth offered by tasty s’mores enjoyed beside a glowing fire. There is, of course much more, but you have to visit Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden this holiday season to discover how warm winter can be.

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My Hometown

by SHIRLEY BRUTKO President, Gateway Trails

on the trail each day. They are so appreciative of our efforts to provide this facility.

The Kings Mountain Gateway Trail opened in November 2009 and has been a complete success for the community and for the region! The trail is also an important part of the Carolina Thread Trail. Visitation is averaging 12,589 visitors per month now. This is a 13% increase over the average for 2011. Walkers, bikers, families, school running group, athletes, etc are using the trail on a regular basis. Thanks to the wonderful leadership of the trails committee, the progress of the trails has continued. The new trail is nearly complete down to Hwy. I-85, named appropriately, the “Foote” trail since Chemetall Foote, now Rockwood Lithium, gave the land. Two bridges and a long boardwalk as well as benches are on the new trail. Visitors can now enjoy the cardio with a new awesome overlook at the top that is an Eagle Scout Project in progress. Signs that tell the history of the area including the mine, geology, history of Kings Mountain, the Revolution, and the trail are to be found at different places along the way. The most important part of the trail today is the health and happiness that folks are enjoying because of this new recreational facility! Here are a few comments:

– Liza Dellinger, KMHS Director, The Expedition

– Rep. Tim Moore, House of Representatives “The Kings Mountain Gateway Trail not only provides wonderful scenic views, but promotes healthy living with encouraging folks to be active through walking and bicycling.” – Bill McCarter, Planner, Cleveland County

MORTGAGE M MOR RTG GAG GE

While working on the trail, I have been approached many times by someone that wants to share their story about how they have lost weight, or been able to reduce medications by walking

My running group has used the Gateway Trail to increase our overall strength and conditioning. My daughter is also a member of the Cross Country team, and they use the Gateway Trail extensively as a means to stay in shape prior to the official start of the season. The variety of terrain makes it a perfect place to stay healthy and fit! – Rayvis Key, KMHS Cross Country/Track Coach/Chemistry Teacher The Kings Mountain High School Cross Country Team uses the Gateway Trail as a safe, challenging, and shaded area to train over the summer. Without such a trail we would be forced to train on roads and sidewalks. Thank you for providing such a great facility for us to practice and become better runners! – Barry Brogdon, Math Coordinator The trail is an excellent place to train for running. The varied terrain and surfaces were great to use for voluntary workouts for the Cross Country team this summer. I think this helped the Middle School girl’s team capture first place in the conference. – Tim Gunn, KMMS, Athletic Director In our Physical Education program, lifetime activities are stressed throughout our curriculum. Having community resources such as the KM Gateway Trail is important for our students and their families. Having a safe place to exercise in our community helps students put into practice what they have learned about the importance of exercising for a lifetime!

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– Dr. Jimmy Magar, Chiropractor Walking is beneficial to folks with arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, low back pain and a multitude of other conditions. Kings Mountain is truly blessed to have such a wonderful place to do so. The Gateway Trail provides a safe, healthy space for people to walk. There are routes for all levels of experience. With the trials close proximity to downtown, the Gateway Trails is the perfect spot for everyone to go and get fit! – Margot Plonk, KMHS Earth Science Teacher The Kings Mountain community is so very fortunate to have the Gateway Trails. My family uses the facility quite regularly. I am a runner and my husband enjoys walking the trails, while my daughter rides her bike. As a new Earth Science teacher at KMHS, I was surprised at the number of students unfamiliar with this community gem. I plan to incorporate lessons from our N. C. Essential Standards, which will highlight the ways that the trials positively impacts our lithosphere, and how positive human activities such as the “up cycling” of this land can affect our biosphere and ensure the ability to live sustainably on Earth. I also will encourage my students to volunteer in projects that will improve the facility and have told Shirley to let me know when she needs help! – Shirley Brutko, President, Kings Mountain Gateway Trails, Inc. It is indeed a privilege and a pleasure to work on a project that has such a positive impact on our citizens and visitors today and will be here for the enjoyment of future generations to come. Not only is the land beautiful with plenty of trees, wildflowers, birds, mountain views, and etc. but also it is a fact that you can find peace of mind on the trail as well as breathe healthy air. We are protecting this place for your health and enjoyment…please take advantage of the trail and GO WALK! Your dogs will like it to!

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My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

How do you get from field and forest to a trail?

BUILDING A TRAIL –– These photos give a glimpse into the work involved in creating a ‘trail’. It takes countless hours by both professionals and volunteers to bring these trails to reality. These photos are of the Gateway Trail in Kings Mountain, including the new bridge on the walk to the I-85 overpass (at left) and the new scenic overlook at the top of the cardio hill (below). The Gateway Trail opened in November of 2009 and gained Thread Trail status in 2010. photos courtesy of Shirley Brutko

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My Hometown

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A home where the buffalo roam! by MICHAEL E. POWELL Nothing like having a home where the buffalo can roam. A place where you can step right outside your door and see what the big beasts of the plains used to look like back in the day when thousands of them thundered across the great American prairies. Okay, so this herd is a bit small by comparison, but Sunnyside Farm’s (Bessemer City) three North American Bison are still pretty impressive to look at as they come galloping over to snack on one of their favorite treats–bread– and lots of it! They like cookies too, by the way. Sunnyside’s bison are the big, furry “grandbuffaloes” of Hal and Susan Lovelace, who have been tending the big hairy beasts (or some like them) a

number of years now. Sunnyside Farms was begun by Hal’s father, S.C. Lovelace, and the big farm has been under his and his sons’ keen eyes since, Susan said. “It was land that had been in their family for generations,” she said. “There are about 120 acres.” The Lovelaces, in addition to farming, also own and operate an asphalting and grading company. Back to the buffalo. Susan said the three current humpbacked residents of the big field by the pond are Pete, a 12-year-old male; Lightning, a five-year-old female; and their offspring, weighing in at about 200 pounds, Sunny, who was born in May. While they are somewhat friendly when there’s bread and cookies to be had, Lovelace stressed they are still

Susan Lovelace feeds a handful of bread to her “grandbuffaloes”, Pete and Lightning, at Sunnyside Farms, just outside of Bessemer City. The big beasts love bread and cookphoto by Michael E. Powell ies as their “treats” Lovelace said.

wild animals and are never to be taken lightly. “They are BIG, wild animals, and are very, very protective of their little girl. They watch her like most humans watch their kids; maybe better sometimes t h a n most!” As for the bread she feeds them, Susan said she goes to a local bread overstock store and picks up what they have. She the said bread and cookies are not the normal staple of the beasts; its just a treat for them. You couldn’t prove it by Pete, Lightning, and Sunny though. When she whistled and yelled their names, they perked up, glanced her way as she stood by the fence dangling the scrumptious bread over it, and it was off to the races as they three ran over for their daily treat. “They move pretty fast to be as big as they are,” Lovelace said. “Their speed will surprise you. Even when I’ve had to venture into the fence, I watch them like a hawk. You never know what might make them decide to stampede over your way. They are quick!” The bison’s main source of food is, of course, the grasses and leafy edibles they find within their fenced parameters. And there’s plenty there for them to eat, Susan said. Another thing that sets bison apart

their fence is to entice them with bread.” Lovelace said the big beasts shed in the summer and the hair comes out in what she called “big clumps.” “Sometimes they’ll rub it off on an old tree, other times they’ll soak in the pond and it just comes off then.”

Above: Pete, a 12-year-old male, is an impressive specimen of North American Bison as he slows down to approach the fence. Even though he’s pretty excited to be getting his usual treat – bread – he’s still a very large, wild animal, capable of doing some major damage to anyone trying to mess with his family (or his bread and cookies!)

for those who might want to think about having one or more for their own, is they can’t be driven, or herded, like other domesticated farm animals. “That’s not going to work,” she said. “Even if they happen to get out, the only way we can get them back into

The Lovelace’s foray into the world of bison keeping began in 2000, when they agreed to take in a couple of youngsters for the Schiele Museum, she said. “That was Lightning and her brother Thunder. He’s now in with a herd up in Forest City,” she noted. Lightning was their second female. “Penelope was our first female. She got out and got killed, It was very sad.” Susan said she has talked with NC Agriculture Secretary Steve Troxler about the beasts being federally regulated. “They’re not as endangered as they once were but they are still very scarce,” she said. As for being a “grandmother” of sorts to three big, hairy creatures of the Western Plains, Lovelace is whimsical, but quick to add, “This (having the bison) is far more interesting than I thought it would be. They’re simple animals, but, as I said, still wild.” Lovelace said the animals are to be admired from a distance. Still, they do have the occasional “gawker” who will venture up their drive just to see if they can get a better look. Then there are the school groups that ask to see them. “We do have a few school kids come by; not that many,” she said. “We watch them closely when they do.” In addition to having the buffaloes, Lovelace said she and her husband have quarter horses, raise Black Angus cattle, and have races in their Sunnyside Arena. Pete, Lightning, and Sunny are pretty laid back about their fame, she said. “They take it all in stride. As long as there is bread and cookies to be had, they’re OK with it all!”

THREAD TRAIL: linking land, people, communities From page 2A

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mile long. It connects to a concrete trail loop that runs along Fites Creek. This trail is very important because it will act as a connector of the northern and southern segments of the Thread Trail. In Cleveland County, the Carolina Thread trail’s philosophy of connecting key points of interest is manifested in the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail that will hook up the City of Kings Mountain, Crowders Mountain State Park, and Kings Mountain National Military Park. The current trail, open to the public, is 2.26 miles long and begins at 807 S. Battleground Avenue at Quarry Road, in Kings Mountain. The trail itself is ADA compliant, partly paved, and is excellent for walking, biking, and running. Overall, the Carolina Thread Trail is tapping into the region’s increased interest in the nature, the environment, economic growth, better health, and stewardship of the land. For information on the Carolina Thread Trail’s activities, news, volunteer opportunities, and donation policy, visit www.carolinathreadtrail.org.

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My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

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My Hometown The Roots of Faith...

Places of worship; how they stay the same, and what’s new

Page 2B

My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Shiloh looks forward to 3rd century of serving others by JOE ROUNTREE Shiloh Presbyterian Church, the oldest established church in Cleveland County, was founded primarily by Scots-Irish settlers who traveled down the Great Wagon Road from Pennsylvania into the Carolinas in the late 1700s. The first Meeting House near Kings Creek was originally called Calvary and located in the northwestern corner of what was the York District. Sessional records prior to 1827 were lost in a fire, but the oldest grave in the Shiloh Burying Ground is that of “William Patterson, North Carolina, Pvt., Graham’s Co. Shelby’s N. C. Troops. Rev. War. Died Oct. 7, 1780� substantiating Shiloh’s existence as early as 1780. On April 12, 1785 at the Waxhaw Church the Presbytery of South Carolina was constituted and in their minutes it is recorded that Calvary petitioned for a supply pastor, and a footnote to the minutes about Calvary states “Afterward changed to Shiloh�. The year 1788 is the last year in which the name “Calvary� appears interchangeably with “Shiloh� in the Presbytery minutes. Presbytery met on October 10, 1786 and acted favorably on the petition of Shiloh to be taken under its care, and appointed Rev. Francis Cummins to preach at Shiloh, the first stated supply so far as it is known. Although Shiloh petitioned to be a part of the Presbytery of South Carolina, the original log church was located in North Carolina on the NC/SC line.

The Shiloh Burying Ground is located just outside the city limits of Grover at 212 Elm Road, with a small part of the historic cemetery lying just inside South Carolina. The land was officially deeded to the Church in 1827 by Henry Etters for the consideration of $4.00. Although in the backwoods of the Carolinas the Shiloh Church was located on the Yorkville-Rutherford road, one of the few roads in the area. From the first stated supply in 1786 until 1851 Shiloh survived with supply pastors. In 1851 James Robinson Baird (the very first graduate of Davidson College) became the first full time pastor (1851-1863). In 1854 Baird obtained leave of the Session “to instruct the colored members of the congregation on Sabbath evenings instead of preaching to the whites.� From 1864 until 1871 the Hopewell Presbyterian Church in South Carolina and Shiloh formed a union, but attendance eventually dropped so drastically that Shiloh returned to its original individual status. At this time Shiloh had only three male members, 19 female members, and “38 colored� members. In 1872 the Richmond and Atlanta Airline Railway (now the Norfolk Southern railroad) extended its line through what was then known as Whitaker Station, now the town of Grover. Rev. W. G. White was the stated supply

See SHILOH, 6B

Above: The grave of Col. Fredrick Hambright is located in the old burial ground of Shiloh Cemetery in Grover. At left: Restoration is being done on many of the headstones in Shiloh’s old burial ground on Elm Road in Grover.

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My Hometown

Page 3B

Contemporary? Traditional? A blend of both?

The praise and worship team at Cherryville’s First Baptist Church work on one of their contemporary tunes, honing it to a fine pitch for the Sunday service.

Local music minister loves all Christian music styles. From contemporary to traditional gospel, he sings it all by MICHAEL E. POWELL What’s your particular “flavor� when it comes to church praise and worship music? Today’s mainstream Protestant churches are getting into the typical worship music that became the rule of the day beginning back in the 70s and the early days of what was then known as “Jesus Rock�, or Jesus Freak music, to use a more unkind phrase. Many churches have a contemporary service in addition to a more mainstream traditional service. Most have also formed “praise teams� or “contemporary choirs.� They will sing tunes written by such Christian music

luminaries as AndrĂŠ Crouch and Bill and Gloria Gaither to Chris Tomlin and the younger Christian music set and all types in between. Cherryville First Baptist’s music minister David Day, has been in Christian music since 1983. Day said, “I served as the volunteer minister of music at Augustana Lutheran Church in Hickory from 1983 until 1995.â€? In 1995 he went into full-time music ministry at First Baptist Hildebran until 2003, coming to First Baptist Cherryville on February 1, 2003. Of his personal choice of music styles, Day mentions his love of great Christian com-

posers like Bach, Beethoven and Mozart. “I was raised a Baptist and was influenced by the southern gospel styles, too,� he said. “This music was full of good harmony, text, and just made you feel good when you heard it.� The early composers also influenced his singing style. But he admits while in junior high and high school he was blessed to have two Godly choral directors who also influenced him with different musical styles, helping him see ways to sing about God. “They both served as church music ministers and I knew from that age I wanted to do this

music ministry as a vocation or calling.� As for styles, Day said they “really didn’t influence (him) as much as people did.� “I also remember my grandmother singing in church and watching the way she loved singing to God,� he noted. “So, music has always been a part of my life. I still rely today on those I watched in school and growing up as an influence.� Day said the one thing he has observed in music styles in churches, is that every one is different. “Most churches with a contemporary style of worship usually have a different service for their contemporary worship. Those with a traditional worship try to use some of the newer hymns with a contemporary feel,� he said. “Our church does a blended worship, with both

traditional and contemporary styles.� He sees “more and more� of the praise and worship being considered traditional now rather than contemporary. “The newest Baptist hymnal has incorporated many of the older praise and worship hymns, which helps churches– even those considered traditional–blend those types of songs and styles in their worship settings.� As far as “leaning� toward more youthful-sounding songs or being a “traditionalist�, preferring to keep the older, more well-known tunes, Day is quick to answer, “Personally, I usually don’t lean towards either.� When searching for music, his choices are simply made: first and foremost, a song must be Biblically correct and uplift

(photo submitted)

the name of Jesus Christ. “I am finding that traditional music often lends itself to working with scripture and sermons and has a specific statement that enhances the specific scripture the pastor is using for a message,� Day said. “Contemporary praise and worship styles usually lends themselves to lifting up the name of Christ in a repetitive style, making the singing and worship be less work on those singing it.� In that respect, he feels repetition in a chorus helps make it (the song) easier to learn for congregations and even those leading it. Like many of his peers and contemporaries, Rev. Day picks his music by listening to the lyrics first. “When the pastor gives me See MUSIC, 6B

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Page 4B

My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Whether through technology or old fashioned preaching, the message still gets out by ALAN HODGE Like a tree, religious faith in our area has roots that go deep, but also branches that spread in a variety of directions. The first church in Eastern Gaston County, indeed the first west of the Catawba River, is Goshen Presbyterian in North Belmont. The church dates to circa 1764 and has a cemetery nearby connected with it that contains graves of at least a dozen Patriots of the American Revolution. Not far from Goshen Presbyterian, in the Catawba Heights neighborhood, is Ebenezer Methodist that was also founded in the late 18th century. In 1874 First Baptist Church in Belmont was organized as Fellowship Baptist. At first the congregation met at the homes of members, then under a brush arbor. A founding member, John Benny Smith, took lumber, he had sawed, to clad the outside of the cabin he and his wife Sarah Abernethy lived in on their farm in Catawba Heights, to the church site and used it to build the first sanctuary. Since its start, First Baptist in Belmont has helped at least six other Baptist churches get their start. East Belmont Baptist got its start in 1912 when about two-dozen members came together.

First Presbyterian in Belmont can trace its roots back to 1889, and has carried on the strong Presbyterian tradition that many of our area’s Scotch settlers brought with them. First Presbyterian’s initial sanctuary was a oneroom structure on the site of what is now the R.L. Stowe building. In 1913 a new church was built at Glenway and Catawba Street. By 1966 the congregation built and moved into the current home at the corner of Central Avenue and S. Main Street. The Catholic faith in our area had its beginnings near Mount Holly where St. Joseph’s Catholic Church was built in 1843. It is the oldest original church building in North Carolina, the secondoldest Catholic church building in the state, and served the families of gold miners. St. Joseph’s still holds Mass on St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day each year. Belmont Abbey had its roots in St. Joseph’s church. In 1872, Father Jeremiah O’Connell, who had served at St. Joseph’s, managed to buy 500 acres of land from the Caldwell family. The property was near Garibaldi Station, the hamlet that would become Belmont. In 1876, Father Herman Wolfe arrived on the scene with four Benedictine brothers. After setting up housekeeping in a log hut, the monks

Goshen Presbyterian Church in North Belmont can trace its roots back to1764 when it was the first church established in Gaston County. Photo by Alan Hodge began constructing a small chapel made from boards sawed on the spot. The chapel was named Chapel of Mary Help of Christians. That mouthful was

later shortened to Maryhelp. The African-American worship experience in the Belmont and Mount Holly area is also deeply rooted. O’Connor’s Grove AME Zion Church can trace its beginnings back 145 years to a plot of land donated by Father O’Connell to former slaves who helped clear the land for Maryhelp. Another black church that goes back many years is Mt. Pleasant Baptist. This church was started in the early 1870s when ex-slaves met at the home of the Davis family in an area known as “Shacktown.” The church was formally organized as Mt. Pleasant Baptist in 1883. Elevation Church meets at Forestview High School and has about 1,000 worshipers. The modern institution uses technology such as Facebook and Twitter to get its message out.

In 1894, several members of Mt. Pleasant Baptist branched out and started Mt. Moriah Baptist. The first building for the church was built in 1903, from boards donated by Emmett Neagle, when he torn down his store. Prior to that, they had met under a brush arbor on land near the A.C. Lineberger house on N. Main Street. In the Reid community of Belmont, Hood Memorial AME Zion’s stone structure has been a symbol of faith for over half a century. More recent houses of worship that are represented in our area include the Church of God, Assembly of God, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Foursquare Gospel, Wesleyan Church, Holiness Church, Pentecostal Holiness, Seventh-Day Adventists, Nazarene, Charismatic, and Disciples of Christ. A new type of church, the nonSee MESSAGE, 6B

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My Hometown

Page 5B

The bells of St. Matthews grace the neighborhood, town by EMILY SUBER A decade after the end of the Civil War the idea for St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church was born in the hearts of a small group of young settlers who left their home church, St. Mark’s Lutheran, in the Dutch Fork community of Gaston County. Following the completion of the railroad from Washington to Atlanta in 1872 they came to Kings Mountain to raise their families and establish their businesses. Two years after the City of Kings Mountain was established in 1874, the first Lutheran service in Cleveland County was held on May 30, 1875, in a small frame schoolhouse where Mauney Memorial Library now stands. St. Matthew’s was chartered and named in 1876 under the leadership of The Rev. J. R. Peterson who became its first pastor. The ten founding members were Philip Baker, Marcus Carpenter, Anderson Carpenter, J. S. and Juletta Mauney, W. A. and Susan Mauney, L.A. and Catherine McAlister, and Margaret Carpenter Mauney. The cornerstone of the first church at the present-day location on the corner of Piedmont and Ridge was laid on September 7, 1878, and worshipers held services during the construction phase at the Academy on the site of what was to become Central School. The dedication of the new church was held in 1879 and the congregation’s first constitution was adopted in 1880. Following the longest pastorate in the church’s history, that of The Rev. Dr. L. A. Bikle who served for 20 years from

1884 until 1904, the church was remodeled and the chancel, vestry room, and Sunday School auditorium were added and the pipe organ was installed. The Rev. Dr. C. K. Bell followed as the next pastor in 1905. In 1908, two years before the Boy Scouts of America organization was officially chartered in the United States in 1910 by Lord Robert BadenPowell of England, Dr. Bell received a charter from Lord Baden-Powell and established Troop 2 at St. Matthew’s as one of the earliest Boy Scout troops in the country. The first scoutmaster was Aubrey Mauney. The troop was later renamed Troop 91 and under the spirited leadership of Otis Falls over 100 boys were members in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The pastorate of The Rev. H. B. Schaeffer beginning in 1919 saw unprecedented growth of the congregation, reaching out to Lutherans and non-Lutherans alike. The large numbers attending Sunday School prompted the construction of the new Sunday School parish building in 1921 at a cost of $20,000 and the gift of a Sunday School bus by W. A. Mauney in 1922. The Convention of the NC Synod was held at St. Matthew’s on November 14, 1922. The year 1935 marked the addition of choir vestments to enhance the worship service. In 1951 The Rev. Dr. William P. Gerberding became St. Matthew’s pastor. The new parsonage was dedicated that same year and the new church where members still worship every Sunday morning was dedicated in November 1954. It was under the direction of

architect Jens Frederick Larson that the new church building took shape in modified Gothic design with Swedish influence. The construction is of Old Virginia brick, adorned with Indiana limestone inside and out. The front entrance features two massive wooden doors with hand-wrought iron hinges. Above the doors are symbols of the four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) carved in stone. Above them is an exquisite Italian mosaic depicting nine seasons of the church year. Inside the nave majestic pillars and arches form a small chapel for each of ten pairs of stained glass windows. The windows are made from handblown German glass to admit a maximum of sunlight which is reflected on the limestone walls. There are ten Old Testament saints on the north wall, six New Testament and four post-biblical saints on the south wall, each window being crowned with Luther’s Seal as is the entrance to the church. The oldest window in the church is found in the south narthex. Known as the Ascension window, it is from the original church building and depicts Christ’s ascending into heaven 40 days after Easter. In the main narthex is found a wood carving of Saint Matthew for whom the church was named. The focal point of the worship area is the large brass altar cross behind which is located a richly-colored rendering of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The altar, pulpit, and lectern were hand-carved in England, with the wood for the soaring eagle of the lectern coming from the Black Forest of Germany. These chancel furnishings crossed the Atlantic Ocean

Pictured is the ‘old’ St. Matthews church which stood from 1858-1952. The current church can be seen in the photo on the front of this section. five times due to a longshoremen strike at New York Harbor which caused the ship carrying the wood pieces to be returned to England twice. At the foot of the chancel steps is the limestone baptismal font crowned with a descending dove on the silver lid. A slate floor was added in later years to complement the architecture. In 1973 St. Matthew’s PreSchool opened its doors to students under the visionary leadership of The Rev. Robert E. Allen. The Pre-School has the distinction of being state-licensed and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2013 as the longest continuously running program of its type in the area, having graduated well over 1,000 students. Tragedy struck in the early morning hours of Christmas 1999 as parishioners learned that their beloved church was on fire. The upstairs auditorium

and downstairs fellowship hall were heavily damaged but gratefully no flames reached the sanctuary which was closed off for renovations. The damaged areas were restored with the fellowship hall being moved upstairs and a reception area added downstairs. The PreSchool benefited from updates such as additional exits for safety and the addition of its own kitchen. Music from the bells of several carillons at St. Matthew’s have graced the neighborhood and downtown area over the years with the current one being given as a memorial gift in 2006. The bells strike the hour beginning at 9 a.m. and three hymns are played four times a day at 9 a.m., 12 noon, 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. Sixteen full-time pastors and a number of interim pastors have served St. Matthew’s in its 136-year history, some leaving

to answer the call as president of Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory or professors at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. The current interim pastor is The Rev. Dr. C. Peter Setzer. Having begun the call process in search of its next full-time pastor, St. Matthew’s congregation is reminded that the Early Church began with a Lord, a Gospel, and a commission, precious gifts carried to us across the oceans, continents, and centuries, which remain the cornerstones of the church today and our hope for the future. A warm invitation is extended to visitors to join the congregation of St. Matthew’s for worship on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. More information about services and events can be found on the church website at www.stmatthewskm.org.

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Page 6B

My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

MESSAGE: it still gets SHILOH: over 200 years of service out there From page 2B

From page 4B denominational variety, is also gaining members. Just a few of these churches in our area includes New Life Christian Church, Lighthouse Ministries Church, New Destiny Worship Center, Light of Christ Luz De Cristo, Open Door Ministries, Lovely Holy Temple Church, Living Word Tabernacle, and Elevation Church. Elevation Church first got started in Charlotte at Providence High School in 2006. The church has since branched out and now includes a campus in Gaston County that meets at Forestview High School. The congregation there comes from a wide geographical range that includes Belmont, Mount Holly, Kings Mountain, Lake Wylie, Dallas, Shelby, Lincolnton, Cramerton, and

Gastonia. Ken Hester is the campus pastor at Elevation Church Forestview and says services there average about 1,000 worshippers. According to Hester, the Forestview setting can seat a maximum of 1,200 folks, so the place is nearly filled at services which are held two times each Sunday. Like other modern institutions, Elevation Church relies on technology such as Facebook and Twitter to get its message out to folks. Churches in our area have come a long way since the days of brush arbors and preachers who traveled by horse and buggy, but the one constant in the equation is that the people who call Gaston and Cleveland counties home have always had a strong belief that religion is one of the foundations of life.

and with the growth of the community of Whitaker encouraged the congregation to building a new church building in town. A lot facing the railroad and public highway was bought from Dr. A. F. Hambright, and the frame building was completed in the fall of 1883 at a cost of about $700 along with donated material and labor. The old log church was sold to the AME Zion congregation for $75, and they took the name of Shiloh AME Zion Church which is still in existence today, just across Elm Road from the Shiloh Burying Ground. Shiloh retains ownership of the old cemetery to this day, which continued to be in use until about 1912. Shiloh’s church report in 1923 showed 90 members. In 1924 a committee composed of R. P. Roberts, C. F. Hambright, and C. F. Harry, Sr. was appointed to “determine the need of more Sunday School room or a new church.” As a result of the report from the committee the congregation voted to move from the site “in the pines” and build

a new church on Bob Vance Street (now Cleveland Avenue). Miss Mamie and Miss Edith Hambright deeded a lot for the church adjoining their property, construction was begun in 1926, and the cornerstone marks 1927 as the completion date. Because of the interest, time, and money of Dennis Dover from Chino Hills, California the Shiloh Burying Ground (which contains the historic grave of LTC Frederick Hambright) was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 21, 2011. Due to a fund established under Historic Shelby Foundation and grant money, the tombstones in the cemetery are being repaired by Jason Harpe and interpretive signage is being planned. This week Shiloh had a new roof installed on both the church building as well as the manse. Shiloh celebrated its 225th anniversary in 2005, and the congregation looks forward to the third century of Christian service to the town of Grover and greater Cleveland County. The headstone of Mary Elizabeth Dover is located in Shiloh’s old graveyard.

MUSIC: Contemporary? Traditional? A blend of both? From page 4B the specific scripture, or topic he’s preaching on, then I have a built-in repertoire of songs to pull from and enhance our service.” Day said he purchases music “several months in advance”, usually not with a sermon in mind, but a service. “Most pastors, even with the scriptures, have a topic they are preaching on and this allows for a larger selection of music and styles.” For example, holiday music is released to music ministers in advance, Day noted. If he’s looking for a Thanksgiving-themed song, he has hundreds of styles, songs, and even videos to pull from. The same with Christmas music. “As for my way of picking music, I am a member of several choral clubs

and groups, and they send music in advance. I take the music, go to the piano, read the words, then play through the songs.” Again, he stressed that first and foremost it must be Biblically correct, then the arrangement must be something that challenges the singers, choirs, and congregation, yet be easy enough to learn in only a few rehearsals. “If I’m looking for new ‘praise and worship’ songs, it must again be Biblically correct and then be able to meet the needs of our congregational singing. The key can’t be too high, or too low, and the rhythm must be learner-friendly and not too challenging.” Day said the style really doesn’t matter as much if it touches his spirit and then also touches those singing it, leading them to, as he puts it, “praise

our Savior and Lord!” When it comes to contemporary Christian music, Day sees newer musical influences coming to the fore in the larger Baptist denominational framework. “With the influence of video, instruments, and music styles, I am seeing many churches incorporating all these in their worship services, and most of the larger churches have two types of services, often with separate worship leaders.” The case he cited was when he and FBC pastor, the Rev. Dr. Vince Hefner, visited First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, a few years back. “We found they had a full orchestra, video screens, and the same music we were doing here at FBC Cherryville!” Again, as with his peers in the music ministry, Rev. Day believes his musical

leadership capabilities find him in the multi-faceted role of shepherd, leader, and facilitator–all running together in most situations. “In services, I have to facilitate the musical, technical, and often the worship aspects of the weekly services, making sure the bulletins are produced, the video and PowerPoint person has all the information to do the audio, video, and presentation part of the service,” Day noted. “I then find I’m being a shepherd when it comes to helping those leading the worship find ways to not only musically prepare to lead a service, but spiritually get prepared as well!” For Day, the “leader” aspect comes when he is pulling all aspects of the service together, encouraging all points of the service to come together, and di-

recting those attending to hear the words or message the pastor has prepared. “Really, it’s all about helping them (the flock) find worship, comfort, and peace through their worship and praise to God.” And what particular songs set his own spirit soaring? “My favorite song is an arrangement from the ‘Experiencing God Musical’ called ‘When I Survey.’,” he said. “This was taken from the traditional ‘When I Survey The Wondrous Cross’. The orchestration, the text, the entire piece encourages me weekly.” Day continued, “This song emphasizes the sacrifice our Savior made and speaks of giving my life and my all. It has ministered to me in so many circumstances and remains my favorite!”

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Page 2C

My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Poston goes to “Big Dance” with NC State Wolfpack by MICHAEL E. POWELL When he graduated from Cherryville High School in 1985, Kenny Poston gave little thought to being center stage in any future basketball tournaments. “It wasn’t something right in front of me at that time,” he said. He was blessed, he added, to have been on the state high school basketball championship team from CHS that featured such luminaries as Terry Whisnant, Sr., Jay Moss, Craig Roberts, Tony Griggs, Jamie McSwain, and Mike Morgan. They went 29-1 that year. Nevertheless, Poston went right into North Carolina State University out of high school on a full-ride scholarship. He majored in Liberal Arts and took a degree, graduating in 1989. Like many of his roundball peers, Poston started his ball handling and dribbling skills early. As an eight-year-old, the Cherrryville youngster played with some of his older heroes, such as Dennis Tate, the late Keith Harris, and Al Graves at Freedom Park. As a ninth grader, Poston said he was coached by Bud Black, even though he was unable to play for Black until his 10th grade year. Later, in his senior year, he was coached by the late David Watkins. What he remembered about being coached by Black was that he “was hard” on him. With a laugh, Poston said, “That was because I was too laid back. Coach Black made me get out there and be more aggressive.” As for NC State, Poston said he committed to them his junior year at CHS. “I mainly did it so people (recruiters) would stop calling me!”

Poston was one of five kids raised by mom Helen G. Poston. She passed away 16 years ago. His older brothers are Larry Giles and Dennis Giles, who played at CHS with Dennis Tate, one of the Ironmen basketball team’s assistant coaches. Nowadays, Poston referees a few games and has coached his son in the past, but only in a couple of games. “I’m glad he chose to play basketball, but it was his choice. I never wanted to force him into it,” he said. Of his time playing basketball in general, Poston is glad to have been able to play “a lot of college-caliber players” at the summer Prep Stars camps before his senior year at CHS. “I always knew I could do it; play at that level,” he said. His freshman year at NC State was “a learning year.” He eventually got more playing time his sophomore year. “Mid-way through the year I tore the cartilage in my knee and fractured my kneecap! Not fun at all!” he said. Consequently, he he didn’t get to play as much his senior year as he would have liked. He was, however, one of the team captains, along with Chuckie Brown, that year. “I guess I played in about 60 percent of the games while I was on the team. By his own admission, Poston was known as a “slasher/driver” due to his speed and ball handling skills. Another of his “memory highlights”of his college basketball days is the fact he was chosen to play in one of the McDonald’s All-American tournaments in the spring of 1985 in Louisville, Ky. What makes that memory so special is that his roommate for that was the great Purvis Ellington. See POSTON, 6C

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Cherryville’s Kenny Poston, holding his MVP plaque from the 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship. Poston, then with the NC State Wolfpack, under the tutelage of the late Jim “Jimmy V” Valvano, knew what it felt like to win a national championship. The game was played at Landover, Md., and the Wolfpack defeated the UNC-Chapel Hill 'Heels by one point, Poston said. photo submitted by Kenny Poston

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My Hometown

Page 3C

‘Doing what I always wanted to do’ Former KMHS State Golf Champion Jolly recruits talent to represent Cleveland Golf by GARY STEWART The best job in the world is being able to do something you’ve always loved to do, so Michael Jolly’s on top of the world right now. The Kings Mountain native and Charlotte resident turned his boyhood hobby of golf into a job as a representative for Cleveland Golf. Through it, he has been able to not only be close to the game he loves, but also to see some of the best players in the world. A former state champion at Kings Mountain High School and a four-year letterman at UNCCharlotte, Jolly graduated UNCC in 2003 with a degree in Business Information. “I thought I wanted to be in business,” he said, “but I was a lot more interested in being around golf.” Jolly worked with Kings Mountain’s John Gamble at his golf shop in Charlotte while looking for a full-time job. As a player at UNCC, he had some contacts with Cleveland Golf and was hired by them in 2004. He is constantly boarding airplanes to go to pro and amateur tournaments all over the U.S. “I compare myself to a baseball scout,” he says. “I scout guys in college and those who have just gone pro and try to get them to represent our company. I travel a lot and work a lot from home to have communication with coaches and players. But a lot of my work is traveling and watching golf, and I love that.” Jolly was introduced to golf at age four by his father, Jim, who played golf and basketball at Kings Mountain High School in the 1970s. As a teenager, he also had some lessons from Mike Hicks, former manager of Kings Mountain and Cleveland country clubs, but basically got better by playing every day. “When I was in middle school I played basketball and baseball,” Jolly recalled. “My eighth grade year (at Kings Mountain Middle) we won the conference championship. I played first base and right field. “But when I went into ninth grade I decided not to play baseball anymore and started concentrating on golf. I was the only one that didn’t stay on that baseball team.” Jolly started on the KMHS golf team as a fresh-

Michael Jolly man in the spring of 1996. “I contributed somewhat,” he said. “We made it to the state tournament as a team.” Greg George, Chad Huffman and Brad Leonard were the other four starters. His sophomore year, Jolly and teammate Will Hendricks qualified for the state tournament as individuals. “I could shoot around 80 or 81 if I had a good day,” he noted. “but we weren’t in contention in the state tournament. Brad played pretty well. He was our best player.” But during that sophomore year, and the following summer, Jolly’s game began to improve tremendously. “I played all summer,” he said. “Dad would drop me off at the golf course (KMCC) on his way to work and I basically stayed out there all day long. I got a lot better.” His junior year of 1998, Jolly’s hard work paid off. He won the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Regional Tournament one week at Meadowbrook in Rutherfordton; and the next week he won the NCHSAA State Tournament at Finley Golf Course in Chapel Hill. He is the only KMHS golfer to ever win the NCHSAA individual state championship. Turk Falls won the old Western NC High School Activities Association crown.

Michael Jolly won the 1998 NCHSAA State Golf Tournament. He is pictured with Dick Knox, who was Executive Director of the NCHSAA at the time. “We should have won the Regional as a team the year before,” he recalled. “We lost it on the second playoff hole and then finished 10th in the state.” In the ‘98 state tournament, a two-day, 36-hole event, Jolly got off to a great start with a 72 and held the lead at the break. However, on the second day it took him a while to put things together. “I didn’t do well at all on the front side,” he noted. “I had my only two birdies on the back nine. A kid tied me and we went to a playoff. He hit an 8-footer for a birdie and then I hit a 5-footer for a birdie to keep it tied. The next hole was a par 3. He missed the green and I hit it. He missed his par putt and I hit mine to win it.” Jolly’s teammate, Evan Osteen, now assistant golf coach at Auburn University, came out to

watch the playoff as well as the entire R-S Central team. “We didn’t make it as a team that year,” he said. “Evan and I went as individuals.” Jolly didn’t repeat as individual champion his senior year, but he and teammates Grey Howard, Osteen and Justin Etters qualified as a team. “I had gotten so much better between my sophomore and junior years,” Jolly recalled. “I didn’t get that much better between my junior and senior years.” Jolly was a four-year letterman at UNCC and carried a 74.5 average, “but I was never the best player,” he said. “I probably played in 80 percent of the matches.” Jolly said he figured out pretty soon after going See JOLLY, 6C

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Page 4C

My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Members of the Belmont High School Red Raiders from the late 1940s and mid 1950s held a reunion on Oct. 5, 2012. Front row from left: Jim Poag, Don Robinson, Mickey Byers, Bobby Brown, Buddy Eller, Barry Rumfelt, Ron Watts, Jim Biggerstaff, Yates Abernathy, Tommy Grady, Fred Cuthbertson, Carroll Trull, Doug Mauldin, Bobby Don Tucker. Rear row from left: Gary Cannon, Grady Rhyne, Don Wentz, Jack Cannon, Charlie Stowe, Butch van Dyke, Jerry Haney, Ronnie Helton, Chris Jones, Denny Williams, Don Lineberger, David Wheeler, Wendell Moore, Dewey Byers, Don Funderburk, Carroll Beaty, Billy Joye. Attended but not in picture: Tommy Dean Glover, Darryle Robinson, Basil Marett, George Hall. Contributed Photo

From back yard sports to Red Raider by CARROL TRULL My story begins on the Climax Mill Village, Belmont, North Carolina, where my family lived. I was seven years old and in the second grade at East Belmont School in 1944. This is when I first began to participate in sandlot, back yard, and playground sports. There were many boys, of various ages, who lived on the mill village. We played football and basketball in the mill yard and back yards of the village houses. We played baseball at the Sterling playground. Although we played baseball year round at the Sterling ball field, it was only organized in the sum-

mer months when the playground was officially open and staffed with attendants who acted as coaches. There were many playgrounds scattered around town and in North Belmont at this time and they competed against each other. Here are some of the Red Raiders who worked at the playgrounds: Jim Biggerstaff, Jimmie Stowe, Dean McCarn, Ronnie Helton, and Doug Mauldin. Jim Biggerstaff and Jimmie Stowe are still at odds on who had the best team at the Crescent Playground. Other games at the playgrounds were horse shoes, checkers, and card games. At this time we also had or-

ganized church baseball, but there were no organized youth or little leagues for football or basketball except for bantam football (eighth and ninth grades) coached by Ebb Gantt. We played sandlot football on the front lawn of the Climax Mill and in the backyards which were big and flat enough to play on. We would choose teams in accordance to size and age. We played tackle and tag football. Most of the time we played tag football. This was safer and cut down on injuries. We played basketball in Mr. Frady’s backyard. He always had a basketball goal and provided a ball for the boys and girls of the Climax Mill Vil-

lage. We called his backyard “Frady’s Arena.� Playing teams were usually decided on by height and age. One of our favorite one on one games was called “Horse.� This game started with the first shot made. The opposing player had to shoot the same shot. Whoever missed the first time had to forfeit a letter to his opponent. This process was repeated until the winner had earned five letters to spell “Horse.� Frady’s Arena was a great place to play alone and develop your basketball skills. This is where I learned to play basketball. The mill villages were a great source for Belmont High School sports. The Climax Mill Village had its share. Here are some

(not all) of the athletes that went on to become Belmont High School Red Raiders/Raiderettes: Dean McCarn, Jack Cannon, Gary Cannon, Dwight Frady, David Robinson, Ted Rumfelt, Freddie Cuthbertson, Mildred Frady Richardson, Helen Green Nixon, Doris Sigmon Bright, Harold Woods, Larry Garrett, and myself. I am proud to be counted as one of these athletes. The Red Raiders magic captured me when I was in my early teens. We would sneak in to Davis Park to watch the Belmont Red Raiders play their home games. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a Red Raider! In my pre-high school days my Red Raider heroes were:

Jerry Haney and Jimmie Stowe. They still are today. Jerry Haney was a tough work horse, Red Raider tailback, and in my opinion one of the best. It seemed like the loud speakers called out his name on every play. Bobby Don Tucker (Red Raider End) claims Jerry could only throw a wobbly end over end pass. Ted Gaston, a Red Raider left end, said that Jerry wouldn’t throw him a pass, and that he would have welcomed one regardless of its behavior. Jim Biggerstaff said that he could catch any pass Jerry threw. We Red Raiders have a lot of fun with the old stories, but here’s the truth: Jerry Haney was a great Red Raider and he owns the See TRULL, 5C

Kings Mountain... With active progressive local leadership and strong citizen participation, the City has grown aggressively in recent years with emphasis on infrastructure, support services and the quality of life. The development of a new business park just off I-85 has added an additional asset to the many resources available to support new business and industry development. To expand and improve City services to the growing population, new facilities have been added to expand police and fire protection. Most recently, a new electric substation has been opened to extend service to new customers and provide necessary capacity to insure reliability to existing power Mayor users. An attractive new Senior Center provides a focal point for easy access to programs and services for elders and their families while doubling as a community and retreat facility. A state of the art playground designed by the children in the community was constructed in six days utilizing 2,000 volunteers - a testament to the respect and admiration residents have for their town. A unique partnership arrangement with the YMCA creates an effective and efficient operating mechanism for recreation programs. The City also owns John Henry Moss Lake, which not only provides recreational activities, but also provides the city’s water supply. Kings Mountain has become a model of community policing and problem solving. Kings Mountain is committed to a balanced strategy of prevention, intervention and enforcement. Whether you are interested in community services, education, healthcare, outdoor recreation, the arts, dining or shopping, Kings Mountain is constantly improving its quality and availability.

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My Hometown

Page 5C

TRULL: from backyard sports to Red Raider From page 4C

you will not be a good winner.

Breeland Award that proves it. Jerry was also an outstanding Red Raider and American Legion baseball player. Two other Red Raider football players that I had the privilege of watching play were Carroll Beale and Bobby Joye. When I was a senior (1955 season) Bobby Joye would work out with us in Davis Park. I remember one time when we were running wind sprints, Bobby ran up beside me, turned around backward, smiled and then ran off and left me. That guy could run almost as fast backward as he could forward. Jimmie Stowe was my Red Raider basketball hero. If you ever saw Jimmie play, you would know why. In my opinion Jimmie was the greatest basketball player to come out of Belmont High School. After Jimmie graduated he remained close to Belmont High School basketball teams. He used his car to help transport the team to out of town games. Sometimes I got to ride in his car, but most of the time I had to ride with Coach Johnny Coble in his old 1947 Chevrolet we called the “Blue Goose.” Jimmie took me under his wing and taught me a great deal about the art of shooting basketball. It’s nice when your hero turns out to be better than you thought he was. Jimmie Stowe was also an outstanding Red Raider and American Legion baseball player. I entered Belmont High School in the fall of 1952 and graduated in the spring of 1956. 1952 was Mr. Gerald Cortner’s first year as principal of our school. Those were wonderful years and the 1956 class is very special to me. Just before the football season my freshman year (1952) I broke my arm playing backyard football. Sadly, I had to miss going out for high school football. Then I broke my right ankle playing basketball in phys. ed. just before the basketball season. My dreams of being a Red Raider would have to wait. The following year as a sophomore I went out for football. When it came time to list the players who made the team, my name was not on the list. At this time I found out what the “agony of defeat” really felt like. Of course, I was disappointed and felt that I should have received a uniform. But over the years (although I was left off the 1953 Championship Team) I consider this a blessing from God, because this setback made me more determined to succeed and more considerate of the feelings of others. If you are not a good loser,

So my football fate was confined to the “Meat Squad.” The meat squad was a defensive unit that practiced against the more seasoned veteran players. My friend, the late Jack Lineberger, (a great Red Raider fullback) encouraged me not to quit and not to give up. His faith in me gave me additional strength to stay and become a meat squad player although I did not have a game uniform and felt like an outsider. By the end of the season, however, I felt better and had gained a lot of respect from other players. My junior year (1954) I started the football season at the bottom, but I made the team and received a uniform. I started the first two games on the JV team coached by Johnny Coble. In the second game we beat the Gastonia High School JV team 7-0. I scored the winning touchdown on a play we called “End Around 18.” After this game I was taken off the JV team and given more playing time with the varsity team. By the end of the season I was the starting left end opposite right end Denny Williams for the Belmont High School Red Raiders. My senior year (1955) was a good football year for me. I played on both offense and defense. One of my best game performances was against Rutherfordton-Spindale High School when I scored on three touchdown passes, one from Doug Mauldin and two from QB Dickie Suggs. Three touchdown passes in one game from a left end lineman was a feat unheard of in Raider football at this time. In all fairness to the Red Raider ends who came before me, I had more opportunities to catch passes than they did. In the 1955 season Belmont hired a new coaching staff. Head installed the “T” coach Johnny Smith formation. This formation allowed us to keep our running attack but added a lot of emphasis on passing, while the previous “single wing” formation run by coaches Cortner and Johnson traditionally featured a running attack with very little passing. About the only way a left end could score was on a running play called “End Around 18.” I am very thankful for Coach Smith. Team co-captains for the 1953 team were “Moon” Huffstetler and Jim Biggerstaff. They were Red Raider leaders that I had a great respect for, and still do. Moon became a world-class swimmer and Jim became a great high school coach that led South Point High School to two state championships. Doug Mauldin was one of our most decorated Belmont High School Red Raiders. In my opinion

Doug deserved every honor he received, and even more. He was a great runner, passer, and kicker. He also played Red Raider and American Legion baseball. Sometime when I am working out on my stationary bicycle, I close my eyes, reach out my hands, and I can see in my mind Doug dropping back and throwing a perfect pass that just floats into my hands for a touchdown. That was a great feeling back then and a good memory now. Senior team members (1955) other than Doug and I were: Martin Murphy, Bob “Wildman” Williams, Norman Reid, Wendell Moore, Truett Lineberger and Randy Burns. I remember the football team had to drink salts water at the beginning of the season to be “cleaned out.” Sometimes we would get cleaned out before we wanted to get cleaned out. Also, I remember football practice in the dust bowl at Davis Park where no water was permitted. A stand-out game memory that I have is when we played Hickory High School on their home field (1955 game). A third string player from Hickory started a fight with Doug Mauldin resulting in both being ejected from the game. They lost a third stringer and we lost an AllAmerican running back. As a result, Hickory won the game. In this same game I was on the bottom of a pile-up when I felt my leg stinging. When I got up I found a set of teeth marks on my calf muscle. Hickory was almost as tough as we were. Another 1955 football memory is when an opposing quarterback threw a pass that hit the ground and bounced up into the air. Our defensive halfback Mickey Byers caught the ball on the first bounce and high stepped it 70 yards into the end zone with the referees chasing him, while blowing their whistles, trying to get him to stop. He acted mad when they brought the ball back to the line of scrimmage. He likes for me to

tell this true story about him. In my sophomore year, Coach Johnny Coble (the best coach I ever had) encouraged me to come out for basketball. I did and made the team. In my junior year I became a starter for the Belmont High School Red Raider basketball team.The 1954-55 season was a very good one for me. I led our team in scoring with a 16+ point average and according to the Belmont Banner my 30 points scored against North Mecklenberg High School was a Belmont High School basketball record. My senior basketball season (1955-56) was not so good for me. I missed a great deal of the season due to reinjuring my right ankle. After the injury, my remaining games were not up to par. This was very disappointing to me. My life long friend Roy Young was an outstanding Red Raider athlete. He had a basket- ball hook shot that could not be blocked and in baseball he had a fastball that was hard to hit. He was also a standout American Legion baseball pitcher. His athletic skills, wrapped around a strong desire to win, made Roy Young a special Red Raider. During the basketball season we would sneak into the school gym and play make-up basketball. Don Wentz and Wendell Moore would crank up the popcorn machine. They never caught us, so I guess they never ran out of popcorn at the games. Other than Roy Young, some of my basketball teammates (not all) were: Moon Huffstetler, Gary Cannon, Dewey Byers, Kelly Kee, Dusty Maynard, Jimmy Hall, Harold Stowe, Denny Williams, and Don Wentz. As a Belmont High School Red Raider athlete, here are the accomplishments that I am most See TRULL, 5C

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Page 6C

My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

TRULL: from backyard sports to Red Raider JOLLY: doing what he always wanted to do From page 5C proud of: Facing injuries and adversity in my early high school years, I became what I always wanted to be, a top rated Belmont High School Red Raider. In basketball (1954-55) I led our team in scoring with a 16+ point average and according to the Belmont Banner, my 30 point single game performance was a Belmont High School record. In football I caught three touchdown passes in one game. In my high school years Belmont High School belonged to the Western North Carolina High School Athletic Association Southwestern Conference. I was voted, by the conference coaches, as “All Conference” both in basketball and football. According to the Gastonia Gazette, I was the first Belmont High School Red Raider to receive this double honor. I do not consider myself a great athlete and there were many Red Raider athletes a lot better than I. Still, I am proud of my little place in Belmont High School Red Raider history. In 1946 first year coach Gerald Cortner changed the Belmont High School Cardinals name to Red Raiders. Belmont High School was relocated to South Point Road in 1964 and in 1969 the school’s name was changed to South Point High School. The new school kept the name Red Raiders. My friend Mack Stowe missed being a Red Raider. He was a Cardinal. He told me that the Red Raiders kept the same school colors of red and black. The Belmont High School Red Raiders/Raiderettes athletic activities existed from 1946 to 1969, twenty-three fabulous years! These years formed a family of athletes that I am proud to be a part of.

North Belmont produced many Red Raiders/Raiderettes stars. Here are some (not all): Dewey Byers, Eddie Thrower, Peggy Beatty Rankin, Yates Abernethy, Don Funderburke, and J.C. O’Daniel. Many Red Raiders went on to become high school and college coaches. Here are some (not all): Jim Biggerstaff, Phil Tate, Denny Williams, Bobby Brown, Dickie Hipps, Don Pack, and Bobby Joye. All of these coaches coached high school sports. Denny Williams and Bobby Joye also coached college sports. The Belmont Red Raiders had many three sports stars in football, basketball and baseball. Here are some (not all): Carroll Beale, Ted Gaston, Gary Cannon, Dewey Byers, Don Wentz, Dean McCarn, Kermit Williams, and Joe Buckner. Red Raider baseball stars Jimmy Hall, Harold Stowe and Harold Woods went on to play in the professional ranks. Many of the Belmont Red Raider baseball stars played for American Legion teams. Here are some (not all): Gary Cannon, Jimmie Stowe, Jerry Haney, Harold Stowe, Jimmy Hall, Roy Young, Harold Woods, Ron Watts, and Kermit Williams. Many of the Belmont Red Raiders (including me) meet on a weekly basis. On Tuesday mornings, at 8:00, we meet at White’s Restaurant in East Belmont for breakfast. Usually, other than myself, there’s Jerry Haney, Jimmie Stowe, Mack Stowe, Roy Young, Bobby Don Tucker, and an old Mount Holly Hawk, Bobby John Rhyne. We haven’t figured out yet how he sneaked in (just kidding). We wouldn’t trade Bobby for anyone. Sometimes Ted Gaston and Martin Murphy will show up. We still miss our old Red Raider

buddy Frank Ellington who passed away a few months ago. If you are a Belmont Red Raider, come and join us. We have “Lunch Bunch” (named by Art Shoemaker) at White’s Restaurant that meets every Friday at noon. On some occasions we meet at other places. Our lunch bunch leader Jim Biggerstaff informs us of when and where. The group usually consists of Doug Mauldin, Gary Cannon, Dewey Byers, Don Wentz, Roy Young, Bobby Don Tucker, Jerry Haney, Moon Huffstetler, Bobby Brown, Martin Murphy, Jim Biggerstaff, and myself. We welcome all Red Raiders. Recently we (Red Raiders) did a picture gallery at White’s Restaurant in East Belmont which displays some of the athletes and teams of our Red Raider time (1946-69). If you were a Red Raider/Raiderette, your picture might be on the wall. This is my Belmont Red Raider story. Every Red Raider that I know has a story of his own. There’s just something special about being a Belmont High School Red Raider/ Raiderette. I apologize to all of the Red Raiders that came after me for not keeping up with, and being better informed about, their successes. I guess that I am just like most people. We can remember those that were ahead of us in school better than those who came after us. Here are some of the Belmont Red Raider/Raiderette that I do remember (not all): Joe Lewis, Gloria Mauldin Lewis, Buddy Eller, Jimmy Miller, Red Patterson, Frank Traywick, Tommy Sanders, J.B. Owens, Bill Rhinehard, Ervin Ellington, Vernon Heaffner, Nancy Buckner Hyde, Billy Joye, Jim Poag, and Dan Suggs.

From page 3C to UNCC that he wouldn’t have a shot at being a pro golfer. “I just didn’t get that much better after age 18,” he said. But, what he is doing now is probably the second best thing to being a pro. He gets to travel all

over the country to college and pro golf tournaments scouting potential representatives for Cleveland Golf. He even gets to see and stay in contact with his former high school teammate, Osteen, when he’s on recruiting trips. “I’m getting to do what I always wanted to do,” Jolly says.

Michael Jolly chips onto the green during the recent Kings Mountain YMCA Golf Tournament at River Bend.

POSTON: goes to ‘Big Dance’ with Wolfpack From page 2C Like his peers and contemporaries before him, Poston is a local sports star (and legend) who hasn’t forgotten his roots. He also hasn’t forgotten his time in the limelight, playing in some pretty important tournaments and striding tall across some big stages. Through it all he remembers his mentors and his coaches. If he had to give advice to today’s young players, he said it would be this, “Listen to your coaches. They’ve been there before and they

know what they’re talking about!” More than anything, he stressed for players to “stay focused on your game, and play to win, but have some fun too.” Sage advice from a big guy who knows exactly what he’s talking about. Poston, 46, is married to the former Mary Sweezy of Waco and they have two children: Arlene Pugh, 27, and Kenny Poston, 16, currently a junior at CHS and basketball player for the Ironmen.

My Hometown Living Off The Land...

From Farm to Table

Page 2D

My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Is it organic? Is it sustainable? The new face of farming by ALAN HODGE In the days when most of our area was rural, cotton was king and the supply of that fiber not only fueled much of the economy, but also fed the dozens of textile mills that ran night and day. However, time, fashion, and finances change, and changes have also come to the farm scene in Gaston and Cleveland counties. An agricultural survey of our region done in 1909 declared cotton as what put bucks in the farmers’ pockets, but warned that dependence on high yields year after year could prove risky. “At this time cotton is the chief money crop, and too great dependence has been placed on it to the exclusion of others.” Cotton growing in our area bloomed around 1870 and was grown on land that could be had for prices as low as forty cents an acre. Other crops that were grown on a larger scale decades ago included corn, wheat, and oats. More than a little of the corn went into making moonshine which was not only sold locally, but taken to markets in places like Columbia, S.C. The majority of the distilleries were legal, licensed operations. Though the Hessian fly often ravaged wheat production, the demand for flour influenced many farmers to keep at it. Cowpeas were another big crop for farmers in days gone by. The vines were often fed to cattle. The cultivation of tobacco in our region was modest in days gone by. Small-scale cultivation was also the rule for crops such as sorghum for syrup, sweet potatoes, and Irish rye. Peanut farming in our area fared poorly due to the densely packed clay soil, though acres were grown wherever sandy loam could be found. Early farming methods in our area reveal a decided lack of knowledge about rotating crops to prevent using up the land. In the 1920s some farmers caught on to this principal and began using a three-year rotation system. The routine called for cotton, corn, and cowpeas to be rotated in that order. The third year allowed for sowing grain on the cowpea stubble. The idea

Art Duckworth of Stanley farms on 13-acres using a combination of traditional and contemporary agricultural methods. was to have cotton follow a nitrogen-gathering crop. Farmers in Gaston and Cleveland counties around the turn of the 20th century were quick to latch onto technology and chemistry in an effort to keep their operations viable. The 1909 report stated that more than half of Gaston County farms were using modern machinery such as wheat drills, as compared to just three years prior. Commercial fertilizer use also became commonplace about the same time. In a strange twist of fate, one of the biggest challenges facing farms in our area, in days gone by, was a shortage of labor. Even though the folks that owned them worked the vast majority of farms, about 70 percent, the increased demand for workers by the textile mills consuming the cotton grown on those farms was drawing workers away. Just a couple of the reasons for the agricultural exodus to the mills from the farm were the lure of cash wages and an indoor working environment. Time marches on, and though there are still a few large farms around our area, most agriculture is done on a much smaller scale than it was a cen-

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tury ago, and with more of a focus on sustainability and organic practices. A good example of that premise is the Apple Orchard Farm of 63-year-old Art Duckworth on Mariposa near Stanley. Duckworth’s operation comprises 13-acres he purchased as a returning U.S. Army veteran in 1971. “It was mostly pine trees,” Duckworth said. “I cleared portions and used the lumber to build barns and other structures including my home.” Duckworth’s farm is state-ofthe-art. He is an N.C. Certified Meat Handler, an N.C. Certified Roadside Farm Market with the Goodness Grows in North Carolina certification, and a charter member of the N.C. Agritourism Network Association. Duckworth is also a charter member of N.C. Choices, a member of N.C. Farm Fresh, a member of the N.C. Farm Stewardship Association, and a member of the N.C. Beekeepers Association. He is also a member of the Mount Holly Farmers Market. He also offers tours of the farm for school and church groups. Students from Johnson and Wales University help on the farm and earn school credits for See NEW FACE, 5D

Photo by Alan Hodge

From the Farm to the Table, Friendship by LIB STEWART Jason Rhodes, 35, is a new generation farmer who advocates technology in equipment, seed genetics and fruit development on one of the largest farms in this area at 1029 Cleveland Avenue in Grover. Rhodes is also a Kings Mountain businessman. He owns and operates Rhodesdale Farm, 1811 Shelby Road, offering a variety of vegetables, fruits, ciders, jams and jellies, among other goodies. Just in time for the holidays he is stocking Christmas trees, wreaths, fruit baskets, candies, and nuts. His motto, “from the farm to the table friendship,’’ is displayed over shelves full of jars of blueberry jellies and jams advertised for perfect holiday gift-giving, all North Carolina based products. He leased the former Mountain View Farm fruit and produce business on Shelby Road and a four acre peach orchard nearly two years ago from Cameron Ware. With market prices holding steady or falling and farm supply costs rising, Jason advocates new

ideas to grow his business and also serve the community. “My peers may tell me to get back to farming the way it used to be,’’ said Jason, but everything changes in every occupation. With the loss of textiles in this area, technology in business is the way of the future. Rhodes graduated in 1998 from N. C. State University with degrees in Poultry Science and Swine Manufacturing Development. He and his wife, Shelley Bynum Rhodes, own 60 acres on the over 500 acre farm they rent in Grover. This week he finished cutting 415 acres of soybeans, is now planting 150 acres in wheat,. “I’m busy about 70-80 hours a week on the farm,’’ said Jason. When he isn’t planting crops, he’s pruning peach trees, blueberries and muscadines, and fertilizing crops. He plants soybeans in April and May, wheat from July-September, asparagus in May, blueberries in June, muscadines in September. In the early winter months he’s busy pruning and by spring it’s time for spring planting and fertilizing. His garden produces tomatoes, squash, green beans and See RHODES, 5D

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My Hometown

Page 3D

God’s Planned Harvest feeding people physically and spiritually by MICHAEL E. POWELL Sometimes having a farm is about more than just growing food and tending the livestock. Today’s farms tend to be huge affairs with a large number of people working on them. One farm in Cherryville, however, is bucking that trend and looking for more than just physical results: they’re looking to see great spiritual things happen. Pharmacist Ed Beam, a deacon at Cherryville First Baptist Church, describes himself as a “part-time farmer but a full-time Christian.� With a background like that, it’s no wonder something like a food-based ministry would appeal to him. With that in mind, Beam said he prayed long and hard about ways to be used in God’s ministry, utilizing things he loves to do: tell people about Jesus, grow things, and hunt. So it came as no surprise to Beam when, one day, he was approached by his pastor, Dr. Vince Hefner, about the possibility of having a small garden on the church’s property to grow a few rows of vegetables that could be used to help out some of the congregation’s needy folks. Thus was born God’s Planned Harvest, Beam said. Beam is no stranger to the farm life, having either grown up on, around, or somehow associated with them since he was a youngster. “God’s Planned Harvest is an FBC ministry revolving around

supplying produce to various people in the community,� Beam said. “It started out as a ‘supply’ ministry, showing love through providing food to the widows and widowers in our own church.� Soon however, the pastor and deacons began to see it was growing beyond just that. Realizing more produce was being grown on the two-acre farm Beam had started on his property just off Hwy. 274, than what the FBC congregation could use, it was decided to “branch out� and minister to other needy or hungry folks in Cherryville or elsewhere. “Over the years we have distributed hundreds, maybe even thousands, of pounds of produce in more than 600 deliveries to well over hundreds of people,� he said. In the summer of 2012 they hoped to make over 1,000 deliveries to “scores� of people in need. “It’s a ministry. We share God’s love as we share the produce!� Looking back on his personal feeding ministry, Beam said, “As a deacon, for many years, I’ve shared produce from my own garden with families on my deacon list.� When Rev. Hefner approached them (the deacons) with the small garden idea Beam remembered he urged him to “do something bigger, on a larger scale, in order to feed more people.� On his own farmland just north of town, Beam had “plenty of open ground� available to share with the church for just such a garden. “We have about two acres of garden. Volunteers from church help plant, tend, harvest, and deliver the produce,� he said. “There’s

lots of potential to use this garden as an outreach to our community on behalf of God’s love.� The volunteers give their time to come by and work in the fields, sweating and weeding, washing, cleaning, and packing the produce. Beam said it is dirty and hot work, but all he sees are the smiles and happiness of those who come to work. They know what the real reason for their labors is and what the outcome will be. “For them, the hard work is all worth it when they know how the food is going to help some needy soul,� Beam said. When the food is delivered and they get to either pray with or minister further to someone it is all worth it. “Also, if we can reassure believers that our actions are derived from God’s spirit moving us to love one another, then we’re able to accomplish our intended goal,� Beam noted. This past summer Beam said their goal was to “move further and further beyond the confines of our own congregations,� to focus more on outreach, with an even greater focus of introducing nonbelievers to Christ. Hence the feeding both physically and spiritually. For Beam, it is “where the rubber hits the road� and all the talk of ministering becomes the reality of one-on-one ministering to another person for whom Christ died. “They may never have had an opportunity to know Him, so our ministry possibilities are great and only limited by our imagination See GPH, 5D

From start to finish, it’s all about the GPH volunteers love for God and others...

PLANTING – In the initial planting phase, volunteers David Day, left, and GPH farm operator Ed Beam, right, tend to getting the plants into the ground properly. photos by Kathy Bumgardner

HARVESTING – At harvest time GPH volunteers take great care to get the produce off the vine and over to the tables to be cleaned and boxed.

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year since we moved to our new location and we are pleased with how well the transition has gone and to see how far we’ve come‌ And yet it’s not surprising because we brought the best part of our past with us... you ! When we sit down at our “Thanksgiving Tableâ€? this year, you can be sure we will remember our roots in Mount Holly. And we will be sure to give thanks for all of you who make the “Massey Company Familyâ€? so strong.

WASHING – Linda Ballard (left) and Deanna Stamey (right) sort out veggies to be washed and cleaned in yet another step in the GPH farm ministry.

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Page 4D

My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

From farm, to market, to table by ALAN HODGE Getting products from garden and field into the hands of consumers has always been a part of farming in our area and the challenge today is as great as it was in decades gone by. But now, cooperation between markets and makers has changed the look of things in a positive way. The evolution of farm to market in Gaston and Cleveland counties is closely linked to roads and transportation. In the 19th century paved roads in our area were scarce to nonexistent. In warmer months the dirt roads were generally passable, but winter rains turned them to red clay mush. Getting crops to market in days gone by was first done by horse and wagon. As the 20th century progressed, the truck, and many a Model A Ford, became the preferred method. In addition, Gaston County was well served by railroads with no farm more than ten miles from a railroad station. Markets for farmers in our area in the past typically included mill villages and towns. Commodities that were in high demand included eggs, milk, poultry, vegetables, and butter and it was not uncommon for farmers to simply drive around selling out of their vehicle. These days, lack of good roads is not an issue for the small farmer in our area, but getting everything from eggs to collard greens in the hands of consumers still takes skill. This is where local farmer’s markets and niche retailers are filling a vital need. In Gaston County the largest farmer’s market operates on 410 E. Long Ave. in the Dougie Henry Market. This market dates back to the 1970s and not only offers vegetables and fruit, but crafts and flowers in season as well. Other markets are held regularly in towns such as Belmont, Dallas, Bessemer City, and Cherryville. Mount Holly has an especially strong farmer’s market tradition.

Leigh Brinkley is the manager for the Mount Holly Farmer’s Market. “It takes time, investments, education, commitment, and support to make a framer’s market successful,” Brinkley said. “The Mount Holly Farmer’s Market has been fortunate to have all of these.” It also takes help from other organizations and hard work. “The Mount Holly Community Development Foundation helped us early on by investing in tents and tables to get us started,” Brinkley said. “Imagine setting up a market every Saturday, May through September, for seven years. A typical Saturday starts out for volunteers at 7am loading trucks with tents, chairs, bins and other equipment. They have the market up and ready for farmers by 7:30 and ready for customers by 8:00. Without these folks’ dedication we would have a very different farmers market. Brinkley also recognizes the contributions made by the farmers and producers of other goods sold at the market. “Without our first farmers, Art Duckworth of Apple Orchard Farm and Harvey Webb of Webb’s Orchard, we would not have a market regardless of what we set up,” Brinkley said. “Through their efforts, hard work and dedication, we had a great start to our market. Other dedicated vendors such as Cindy Suddreth at Cindy’s Greenhouse, Ladybug Farms & Bakery, Hoffman Farms, Clearview Farms, Lucky Fish,Thomas Family Farms, Abernethy Sunflowers, Time Flies, Simmons Farm, and Sandy Cooper soon joined our market. Community organizations are represented as well, such as Master Gardeners and the Lions Club, Mount Holly Community Development Foundation and Mount Holly Historical Society. Ida Rankin Safety Patrol plays a welcome and active roll selecting the Market as their service project. Any tips received for their work goes to a charity of their choosing.”

Lawson Brackett travels far and wide to collect produce and other foods she markets at the Belmont General Store. Photo by Alan Hodge

Education is also an important part of the Mount Holly Farmer’s Market. “Another component is our educational events every Saturday during the market,” Brinkley said. “Through a funding match from the Farm Bureau of Gaston County, the market created a program called Chef in Residence that offered eight weeks of programming from one chef. Gina Gutherie of Bocca Felice, our chef this season, built a great program by creating interesting demonstrations and tastings based on what was available from our vendors. Her skill, warmth and energetic demonstrations made it a wonderful addition to our season.” Overall, Brinkley sees the Mount Holly Farmer’s Market as a unifying force in the town. “All these people have help create a market that has con-

sistently grown with diversity and depth,” she said. “But more than that, they have created a place where the community gathers and grows together.” One individual who has found a unique way to market farm products is Lawson Brackett of Clover, S.C. who has set up a small but diverse operation in the Belmont General Store that’s been in business since July 2012. Brackett has been involved in marketing local produce and specialty foods for seven years. “I became interested in this type of business in high school and opened a produce stand during the summer before my senior year in high school,” she said. “It’s still open seasonally.” Her acquaintance with Belmont General Store manager Lane Adams

led her to Gaston County. “I was looking for a growing area and he helped me get my foot in the door,” she said. Lawson’s corner of the store is up front and folks can see items she has for sale in the window. This past summer, bins out front held heaps of fresh vegetables. Lawson literally scours the region to get her products. “I get a lot of stuff from Cotton Hill Farms in Lowrys near Chester,” she said. “I go to the Western North Carolina Farmer’s Market in Asheville once a week. I get there bright and early to pick the best stuff. I also get apples and tomatoes from Hendersonville. Items Brackett offers can vary according to the seasons and can include See MARKET, 5D

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My Hometown

Page 5D

GPH: feeding people physically & spiritually

RHODES: from the farm to the table, friendship

From page 3D

Jason Rhodes is a new generation farmer who harvests food from the farm to the table. He is pictured at his Kings Mountain business, Rhodesdale Farm, on Shelby Road.

and efforts,” Beam said. Whatever the outcome, whether it’s just a brief meeting to hand over a full box of fresh, home-grown produce, or whether it’s to hand over a small New Testament coupled with a few words of care and love, Beam said God’s Planned Harvest and its dedicated staff are all about God’s provision being abundant in this ministry. “It’s up to us to tap into its potential and see where God will lead us in the growing seasons ahead,” he said.

photo by Lib Stewart

On his farm he grows blueberries, muscadine, and asparagus and raises beef cattle. Produce and fruit from his farm and peaches from the Ware orchards are favorites of customers. The apples that his customers rave about come from Lincoln County. Rhodes is the son of Jay and Sandy Rhodes. He has a brother, Jonathan, who is manager at SunTrust in Kings Mountain and followed his father in the banking business. Jonathan Rhodes is married with two children. “My nephews like to visit the farm to see the animals,’’ said Rhodes, who is a big animal lover and advocate of taking care of animals. He is also a believer in agriculture awareness and the importance of growing healthy food from the farm to the table. “I love farming and this is a way of life that sadly our younger people don’t know about unless they go to an agricultural fair, some kids grow up without ever seeing a cow, for instance.’’

From page 2D crowder peas, all popular with customers at his Kings Mountain business. John Carroll of Fallston and Joe Foster, Mary Richards, and Kevin Lynn, all of Kings Mountain, work in the store. Rhodes said that some farmers are using genetics in their corn crops because it produces a super sweet type of corn. “We don’t have a corn crop,’’ he said, noting that there are pros and cons of genetic farming. He says his customers like the apples he stocks, a Honey Crisp has the taste of honey and there’s the Cameo, Pink Lady, Winesap, Fuji and Jona Gold, among others. Honey Crisp is a sweeter apple. “We don’t have apple trees but these are North Carolina products,’’ he adds. “Technology can be a blessing,’’ he says. But he admits technology can often takes away jobs unless job-seekers are trained specifically for a position.

FARMING: Is it organic? Sustainable? From page 2D

that’s me, myself, and I.” Efficiency is one key to Duckworth’s success. He walks the property daily looking for little things such as fence condition to catch before they become big things like loose cattle. “I do all the things that are done on a large farm, but on a smaller scale,” he said. “Some things such as producing vegetables are more labor intensive than raising cattle.” Overall, Duckworth thinks Apple Orchard Farm is as much about educating people on what farming is really like, and carrying on a tradition of small-scale agriculture, than providing an amusement. “We are not a zoo, we are all about teaching people where food comes from and how it’s processed,” he said “I think the key to the farm’s success has been that I have a passion for this.”

their community service program. Products Duckworth offers includes honey from his own hives, fresh, all natural Angus beef and Tamworth pork. Specialties include fresh ground beef and whole hog sausage. According to Duckworth, his meat is lean and free from added antibiotics and hormones, steroids, chemical additives, or proteins. Duckworth’s apples and berries are grown using natural organic fertilizers. He has a small store, complete with cider press, on the property where he offers his products. Even in its infancy, Duckworth knew where he wanted Apple Orchard Farm to go. “I always had a vision of the farm supporting itself,” he said. “With the three workers I have,

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MARKET: from farm, to market, to table From page 4D several types of any one thing. Recently she had as many as seven different types of eggplant for sale. Besides vegetables and fruit, Brackett also markets specialty foods. These delicacies run the gamut from Amish jam and cheese, to good ol’ hot chow-chow, to Creole sauce from Georgetown, S.C. “All of our specialty foods are made in small batches and come from North Carolina or South Carolina,” Brackett said. “Our number one seller is okra chips.” No matter how or where produce and other items off the farm are marketed in our area, everyone involved is still carrying on an agricultural tradition whose credo of quality and goodness goes back for

Shelley Abernethy of Clearview Farms is one of the most loyal vendors at the Mount Holly Farmer’s Market. Photo Courtesy Leigh Brinkley Design

many generations and will likely continue to do so into

the future as well.

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For over 125 years, thousands of people have called Cherryville home. As a city, we have had hundreds of local people that have worked together over the years to perform the services that help make a loving community like ours a better place to live. We are proud of those individuals, both past and present that have given so much of themselves, to make Cherryville the special place that it has been and is today.

Home is where the heart is.

Hometown Hardware

LOADING – The next to last step after the produce has been washed, boxed, and prayed over, is to load everything up to set out on the missionary trip of delivering the food to its intended target: the hungry and those who need it most.

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Page 6D

My Hometown

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

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