by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Long a sight at the City’s many festivals, as well as more than a few other festivals around Gaston County as well, Cherryville was pleased to announce last Thursday’s, March 3, ribbon cutting for Tony Tzzz’s “Grill on Wheels” Food Truck.
The food truck is the brainchild of Chris Degree and is well-known for its wonderful and flavorful food, cooked up and served with love and smiles.
Chris said his business, which has been around for quite a while, was named in honor of his oldest son, Tony, who was sadly killed in a car accident on Oct. 18, 1989.
“I have retired from Freightliner,” said Chris, “and I have done quite a lot of festivals in Cherryville and around the county. I am hoping we get to get here, weather permitting, every Friday and set up and cook some good food.”
Working with Chris are his son, C.J. Degree, 23, a well-known CHS athlete, and daughter, Brittany. His grandsons, Demario and Christian Chalk were also on hand helping out with getting things set up for the ribbon cutting. His oldest daughter is Chrissy, he said, and he that the family will also help out with the cooking tasks once things get going.
He laughed and said, “I’ve already had people stopping and asking me if they could order food! I had to tell them this was just for our ribbon cutting but that we would be back!”
Degree noted city’s and county’s have designated spots for food trucks to set up in so as not to impede traffic flow and such.
“I have been doing this for 20-plus years,” he said, adding, “I do this to remember Tony. We are usually here at the festivals all the time, except for when we couldn’t because of COVID.”
Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Pete Craft welcomed Chris and his family, saying, “We’re glad to have you here and to see this good turnout. The weather is great also. Chris, we wish you well in your endeavor. If there is anything the Chamber can do for you don’t hesitate to let us know.”
Mayor H.L. Beam, III, agreed, adding, “It’s a beautiful day here in the City Where Life Blossoms, and it’s a great day to recognize such a unique business, which is also a mobile business. We wish you much success and want to thank you all for choosing Cherryville and thank you for providing Cherryville with such a great service!”
Main Street Chairperson, Donna Beringer also welcomed Chris and his family, adding, “I just want to say thank you for coming here and for providing this service to Cherryville. If there is anything we can do for you all, please let us know.”
Chris said, though he wasn’t “much of a talker”, as he put it, he said, “We are glad to be here. We will serve you right. We do this the right way. Thank all of you for coming out.”
This was the first ribbon cutting, noted Craft and Mary Beth Tackett, for new Chamber Board members Barry Heavner (Houser Drug), Johnny Brown (Allstate Insurance), Emily Blackburn (Piedmont Lithium), and Sarah Chambers (Peak Resources).
 

Two Cherryville inductions gives town 15 of its own in auspicious Hall of Fame

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

On Saturday, March 5, two Cherryville men will be inducted into the 2021 class of the North Carolina American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame. The two are Post 100 American Legion Commander Mike Robinson and former umpire Sam Homesley, also a member of Post 100.
Returning once again to the “City Where Life Blossoms”, the 2022 ceremony will be held at the Cherryville Post 100 Legion Hut and starts at 6:30 p.m.
According to Area IV Baseball Commissioner Jerry Hudson the inductees are, in addition to Mr. Robinson and Mr. Homesley, David Ellis, of Post 102 (Ahoskie), and Jerald D. “Danny” Rollins, of Post 39 (Greenville). Also to be recognized are North Carolina Players of the Year, Will Blackburn (Junior Player of the Year), and Zach Wilson (Senior Player of the Year).
Last year, Mr. Hudson noted that he and Mark Cauble, and Terry Melton were all inducted at the American Legion Convention in Raleigh.
Said Jerry, “For many years the AL Hall of Fame has been at many different Posts throughout the state as hosted by those various Posts.”
Longtime sports writer Richard Walker’s web site, www.CarolinasSportsHub.com, noted that, “…Homesley is a Cherryville High and East Carolina graduate who was a longtime school teacher and coach at Burns High School.
“A 45-year Legion member and Vietnam veteran, Homesley also was a longtime high school and Legion baseball umpire who worked two Legion regional tournaments and 12 N.C. state tournaments.”
Walker’s site continued, “Robinson is a Cherryville High graduate who was a truck driver for 35 years. A Vietnam veteran, Robinson has been Cherryville Post 100 commander the past eight years during which time he has worked every Post 100 baseball game.”
Walker also went into more detail concerning the number of times the event has been hosted by Post 100.
Wrote Walker, “It’ll be the sixth time the event has been held in Cherryville and the eighth time in Gaston County. Cherryville hosted in 1977, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1993, and Gastonia hosted in 1971 and 2005.”
His web site further noted, “The induction of Homesley and Robinson gives Cherryville 15 members of the N.C. American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame; Ezra V. Moss, Sr. (1971 class), Edmond Sullivan (1972), John R. Smith (1974), John Mosteller (1977), Aaron Moss (1981), Ronald 'Scoop’ Kiser (1984), Hugh Putnam (1986), Hugh 'Buzz’ Peeler (1988), Bill Abernethy (1998), Rocky Bennett (2006), Bobby Reynolds (2007), David 'Benny’ Blanton (2008) and Jerry Hudson (2020) were previous inductees.”
Hudson added that Sam, “…umpired high school (and) American Legion baseball for 37 years”, adding that for “…over 25 years” Sam and he umpired together high school, American Legion games, State Championships, and Regionals.”
Jerry said, “Bob Beason is Chairman of Hall of Fame Committee. Members are himself (Area IV Baseball Commissioner Hudson), and Mark Cauble, the NC State Baseball Chairman.
For his part, Post 100 member and veteran Sam Homesley said, “I am honored to be inducted! I had fun and appreciate the American Legion recognizing me for all the hard work I put in.”
Cherryville’s Post 100 American Legion Commander Mike Robinson said, “I really do appreciate the honor to be inducted. However, it’s all thanks to my veteran brothers and sisters at Post 100. It is all of them that have helped me get any recognition I have gotten now and over the years. This honor and my induction is as much about them as it is me, especially for me to be in the position I am in at this time, as their Post Commander. Honestly, we are all like a family here at Post 100. I appreciate all of them!”
For more information on this or other Cherryville or local high school or Legion sports history, visit Richard Walker’s website, at www.CarolinasSportsHub.com.
For those wishing to come to the ceremony, Mr. Hudson said tickets can be purchased at the door.

Began serving his community as a Junior Firefighter while at CHS

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville Fire Department Captain Chris “Pudge” Cash has decided – after more than three decades of selfless service to his beloved hometown – to retire.
Cash, younger brother to retired Chief Jeff Cash, started his career in the fire service, he said, as a young lad while he was still in high school.
“I started in 1984 at Hugh’s Pond Volunteer Fire Department when I was 16, then went to Cherryville’s Fire Department,” he said. “(The late) Joe Vandyke was the chief then and it was him that developed the junior firefighter program.”
“Pudge” graduated from CHS in 1985 and never looked back, so far as getting more firmly entrenched in the career he loves so much, and getting to serve others is, for him, just more icing on the professional cake.
Serving others in the fire services runs in the family as Chris, his older brother, Jeff, a couple of uncles, a number of sons and cousins, and, well, you get the picture… have all chosen to, some way, somehow, get active and help folks by being firefighters either in Cherryville, Shelby, Charlotte, or other towns nearby.
Pudge had his retirement ceremony on Friday, Feb. 11, and many of his family, friends, and fellow smoke-eaters came by during the 3 to 5 p.m. “drop-in” event just to say a kind word and to wish him well in his retirement.
Mayor H.L. Beam, III said probably what was on just about everyone’s mind that day when he said, “I’m gonna miss him! He’s one of the good ones!”
Mayor Beam talked about Pudge’s well-known humorous made-up awards and their presentations during the annual CFD Awards and Christmas Banquet, saying that he always made people laugh.
Presenting Pudge with his Captain’s helmet was Assistant Fire Chief Coby Heffner.
Said AC Heffner, “Pudge was my first (fire) captain, and he has meant a lot to me over the years I have been here.” This brought a tear or three to Pudge’s eyes as he remembered how young Colby came up in the ranks, first as a junior firefighter, then a Driver/Engineer, then later moving through the ranks to eventually become the Assistant Chief upon Jason Wofford becoming Fire Chief.
Of Colby, Pudge said, “One of the greatest parts of my job was to see this young man become the young man he is today. I got to train him and my son, Travis, and my nephews, Chad and Quentin, as well as many others.”
He continued, “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve with everyone of the men and women here. I am going to miss all of you!”
Of his retirement, Pudge said, “It’s going to be a big change for me.”
Chris said he will continue to work at his uncle Hugh Eaker’s business, Eaker Car Ports (aka Eaker Enterprises) and enjoy spending time with his wife, Danya, and their family. The two met through work, said Pudge, in 2011, and they have four children: Travis Cash (a Charlotte firefighter with Engine Co. #12); Lanie Cash (an RN, who plans to marry her fiancé, Jacob Harrell in March); Lawson Harkey; and Mallory Harkey. Mallory’s boyfriend, Chase Cheatum, was there congratulating Pudge on his retirement as well.

Streetscape progreses with completion set for late summer

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

There have been many questions about the state of affairs with Cherryville’s City Streetscape work in the Downtown area lately. Citizens look around and can see what has been done so far, and what is still being done.
To that end, and thanks to a recent media release from Cherryville’s Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Program, spokesman Steve Panton and Chamber Director David Day, as well as Mayor H.L. Beam, III, City Manager Brian Dalton, and City Public Works Director Brandon Abernathy, all addressed those questions and concerns.
The City staff personnel and officials noted they “…are pleased with the progress (of the ongoing) Downtown construction,” adding, “And they’re looking forward to being finished before late summer.
City Manager Brian Dalton said in the release, he was pleased with how things were moving along.
“Our contractors have been great,” said City Manager Dalton, who added, “We’ve had good weather and they’ve moved really fast. The first phases are already complete.”
According to Mr. Dalton, Dominion Energy completed their gas line work in October, and the  construction  company, Cajan, finished their sewer work in November.
Mr. Dalton added he expects Sealand’s work on the water lines to be finished “…within weeks.”
Mr. Day also noted that next up, work will begin on the streetscape to lay new sidewalks, bury cables, erect new streetlamps, put in new plantings, and repave Main Street.
Mr. Dalton continued, “They’ll start at Depot Street and move west section by section. Once they reach Mulberry Street in late summer, Main Street will be totally transformed.”
As Mr. Abernathy, public works director, stated in the media release, “The city will work hard to keep disruption to businesses to a minimum.”
He continued, “One key initiative will be to lay new temporary surfaces in the alleys behind the businesses on both the north and south sides of the street before any street construction starts. That’s going to open up parking and allow people to enter our merchants through their back doors.”
Cherryville Downtown Director Day said, “The Main Street Program office will keep merchants, community members, and visitors informed,” adding, “We have a website page that we’ll update frequently. And, we’ll have signs directing street and pedestrian traffic.”
Cherryville Mayor H.L. Beam, III, pointed to the citizens of Cherryville as the driving force behind the project’s success to date.  Said Mayor Beam, “Our citizens saw the need. Then, they stepped up, voted, and met it.”
He continued, “So far, our citizens have delt amazingly well with the interruptions. We know the last phase will be the hardest. But, we’re on the home stretch now. Generations of Cherryville’s citizens will be blessed because of the sacrifices of this one.”
Mr. Day was enthusiastic about what the changes will mean for the economic development of Cherryville’s downtown.
Said Day, “Savvy investors are already pouring millions of dollars into renovating our old buildings. We’re expecting several new restaurants and a brewery in the near future.”
Day continued, “But that’s not all. We’ll soon see new retail and office space and many new apartments.”
Additionally, Day noted how several new restaurants have expressed interest in joining the Main Street community of merchants.
“Downtown’s future is bright,” said Mr. Day.
For those who have further questions or just want more information about downtown construction, Mr. Day said to call the Main Street Program office at (704) 435-3451, or visit the City’s new website at www.cityofcherryville.com.

 

“El Dedo Rojo” one in a long line of neat teaching tools/productions

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

By day, he is mild-mannered CHS Spanish teacher Matt Smith; by, well, also by day (mostly), he is the Spanish James (or is it Diego?) Bond – Spanish-speaking superspy “Mateo”, whose wit (and golf score) are seldom equaled, because, I mean, who wants to anyway?
Seriously folks, CHS Spanish teacher Matt Smith puts a great deal of effort into making learning fun for his students, as do many of his teaching peers. Smith does this by making mostly quick and short iPhone videos for their perusal and enjoyment.
Such was the case with his newest – and possibly longest – endeavor to date, a campy, roughly 23-plus minute “remake” (of sorts) of the Ian Fleming classic James Bond thriller, “Goldfinger”.
The mini-masterpiece, titled “El Dedo Rojo”, or “Redfinger”, for short (and artistic purposes) is a video idea, said Smith recently, whose filming “…was really generated during the pandemic.”
Smith, 48, has been teaching for 20 years after a stint in the business world up near Raleigh. The father of two said, “Last year, on our virtual days I would film mini 'virtual lectures’ and post them to my Canvas page. These started out as purely instructional, pretty much me explaining Spanish grammar concepts, but I couldn’t help but notice that I got more views from students if I put a little comedy in the lectures.
“So, it then occurred to me to recruit other Cherryville teachers/staff to help act out little skits revolving around these instructional concepts. Again, those started off pretty simple, for example, Robert Webb and I did a bit about a piece of macaroni stuck to the inside of the teacher lounge microwave (we were studying Spanish foods at the time). Gradually, these skits became more elaborate – I’d throw in some edited images, perhaps a little music.
“Well, it came as no surprise by then that with the better quality videos the number of students watching them went up as well.  Now, I should point out that all of these videos were filmed with an iPhone, not professional movie equipment, so we had limitations. Still, I decided that for my final video of last year, CHS staff and I would act out an entire restaurant scene – I got eight different staff members to appear in that one, which was approximately eight minutes long. The skit supposedly centers around a Scrabble grudge match that (the CHS media center’s) Nancy Olls were having, but the real purpose was for the teachers and I to
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model a restaurant skit dialogue for my students, since they had to create one of their own for the final exam. And again, it worked well; the student skits were creative and fun to watch.”
Smith continued, “Well, over the summer I started thinking about how much fun all the teachers and I had making the restaurant video. I knew my final year of teaching was approaching (Mat6t said he is retiring to Florida at the end of this year), so I decided to give it a go one last time. The result was 'El Dedo Rojo’ an almost 24-minute long movie featuring approximately 15 CHS students, 15 staff members, and even some community members such as our (current) fire chief. The resulting video was less about instruction and more of a tribute to the town of Cherryville, although I did use it again as the basis for my students’ final exam in December. We even had a movie premiere here at school, with most cast members in attendance. Incidentally, James Bond fans might notice 'El Dedo Rojo’ (Redfinger) is largely a spoof of my favorite James Bond movie, Goldfinger. I even got a friend of mine, country music recording artist, David Britt, to record an original theme song, which is featured at the end of the movie.”
Smith loves playing golf almost as much as he loves teaching, and what with growing up in Florida and with playing the sport of golf, as he says, “most of (his) adult life”, Florida seemed like a great place to make his retirement haven.
“I’m originally from Charlotte,” noted Smith, who also added this year was his second at CHS. He graduated with a degree in Spanish in 1996 from NC State, playing – he said – quite a bit of golf there when he had time off from his studies. He later got a job in telecommunications. Smith said his handicap is “probably a solid 8” and he noted he shoots “around 80”.
Back to the video.
“The idea, again, came in bits and pieces,” said Smith, adding he is most proud of being able to get many members of the Cherryville community involved in and engaged with the instructive video.
“Bottom line? I like that it (the video) became something that engaged my students as well as the community,” he said.
One of the actors in the video, Mrs. Carrie B. Dalton, CHS Secretary and Head Girls Basketball Coach, said, “I had a great time helping with the film. Mateo always does a great job and puts on a great production.”
Cherryville Fire Chief Jason Wofford also had a great deal of fun playing the antagonist, El Dedo Rojo, a.k.a. Redfinger. He said of the video, “I enjoyed worked with Mr. Smith during this video. I thought it was an awesome idea to spur interest in (the) Spanish (language).”
Smith said those interested in looking at the video, which can be found on Youtube (search El Dedo Rojo), might be better served by going to his url at https://tinyurl.com/2fnu4swr.

He joins a long list of winners of the
auspicious, celebrated state award

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Being honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award is no trivial thing and it is to be noted more than a few folks from Cherryville have been blessed with the auspicious honor.
Now, after 40-plus years of service to his community and his home state, retired Cherryville Fire Chief Jeffrey C. Cash can count himself as one of those who have received the honor and the beautiful award that goes with it.
To say he was surprised by the award, given to him by longtime friend and fellow Fire Chief Jake Whisnant at the Dec. 12, 2021 CFD Banquet, would be an understatement.
On receiving the honor, Jeff said, “I did not know about the award until Jake made the presentation at our annual Christmas banquet. I was honored to be given this award and very appreciative of the award for what it represents. After 43 years in the fire service, it was great to receive this level of an award.  My career, over 43 years in the fire service, was not really a job. I always felt like it was a ‘calling’. I was blessed to work with some great folks over the years and the City of Cherryville was very good to me and my family. I always hoped, in my travels across the
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country, that I was an ambassador for Cherryville. I am truly a blessed individual.”
At the 2021 banquet, Chief Whisnant, of Shelby FD, regaled those there with humorous stories and memories of his and Jeff’s time serving together first at Shelby, then later working to get grants or to get something done for firefighters and their families.
“Before I present him with this gift, which I don’t know if he knows what it is or not, thought he probably does, I just want to say to you Jeff, that Sen. Kathy Harrington sends her heartfelt regrets that she can’t be here tonight, but wishes you and Cynthia and your family all the best,” said Chief Whisnant, in a previous Eagle article.
Mr. Cash was presented him with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest recognition of honor for one of its citizens, and, clearly moved by all of the presentations and words of kindness, thanked everyone, saying then, “I love all of you and your families. I am so thankful for my family. I am a blessed man!”
Retired Chief Cash reiterated that Sen. Kathy Harrington “…helped expedite the nomination to the Governor’s office,” adding, “The nomination actually came from Jake Whisnant, Executive Director of the NC Association of Fire Chiefs & Retired Deputy Chief of Shelby Fire Department.”
Cash continued, “Jake was assisted with the application by my family, Cynthia, (and sons) Chad and Quentin.”
Jeff noted he started his fire services career in 1979 in Rock Hill, SC.
“I moved from Rock Hill Fire Department to Shelby Fire Department and then came to Cherryville Fire Department in 1981.”
As for his career choice inspiration, he said, “Of course, my inspiration was my mom and dad, but I was also greatly influenced by my uncle, who was a Cherryville volunteer firefighter. His name was Wayne Eaker. My dad was a truck driver and was gone a lot. Uncle Wayne’s only child was a daughter (Debbie Eaker); therefore, he allowed me to tag along with him on fire calls and he also took me fishing regularly.  One particular winter day, he allowed me to go with him to a house fire on Putnam Street in Cherryville. I was about 12 years old. This fire call confirmed for me that all I wanted to do was become a firefighter.”
He continued, “On this particular house fire, Uncle Wayne was assigned to the roof, to cut a hole in the roof, and I can still see in my mind him on the roof of the house doing his best to help the family in need. Thus began my love for the fire service! One of the key reasons that I have had such a wonderful career is especially due to my wife, Cynthia, and to our sons, Chad and Quentin. This also includes extended family members who have been a great encouragement to me and have also been involved in the fire service as well. Over the years there have been countless times that Cynthia has had to take up my responsibilities because I was on an emergency or out of town receiving training. Without my family’s support, this would not have been possible.”
Jeff also noted it has been one of his and Cynthia’s objectives as parents to instill in Chad and Quentin a strong work ethic and a commitment to the community and always the willingness to give back.
“To be a giver, not a taker. We think we have been successful in this area with both Chad and Quentin. Both are successful in their careers and in their communities,” said retired Chief Cash.  The couple’s long-range plans are to retire in the North Myrtle Beach area.
“We both love the coast; however, we really want to stay in the Carolinas. We love beach music and love dancing ‘shagging’. There’s no place like North Myrtle Beach, the home of the Shag dance. Until then, we will continue to be involved with our church, First Baptist Church of Cherryville, the fire service, and the Billy Graham Library ministry,” noted Mr. Cash.
Jeff readily admits he has been very blessed since his retirement.
“I currently have multiple opportunities in part-time capacities and am currently working with NASCAR, in training at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in the area of safety. I am also going to be doing some training coordination for the NC Volunteer Fire Insurance Services.
“I have also been consulting for the past 15 plus years. This past year I formalized the consulting business and we are now ‘Bucket Brigade Consulting, LLC’ Cherryville. I have approximately 26 clients, which are municipalities and counties and have three projects that I am currently working on in regards to my consulting.”
Cash noted he serves as the President, with son, Quentin serving as Vice-President; son, Chad as Treasurer; and wife, Cynthia serving as Secretary.
“As you can see,” he added, “Bucket Brigade Consulting, LLC is a family business!”
Cash also noted the name of the business, Bucket Brigade, is a spinoff of early firefighting techniques.
“We have been blessed in this area and it continues to grow and expand. We are excited about where these opportunities may lead our family! Once again, we are truly blessed.”
Cynthia said of her industrious husband and his Long Leaf Pine Award, “I am so proud of Jeff and I know of no one else who is more deserving of the NC Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award than him. He faithfully served the City of Cherryville and the citizens of our great city for 40 years. He has always had a real love for Cherryville and serving was his ‘calling’, not a job. His dedication, professionalism, servanthood, customer service and love for the Fire Service in our city, state and nation have been outstanding. He is a Godly man, wonderful husband and wonderful father to our sons and daughters-in-law, Chad and his wife Heidi, and Quentin and his wife Erin. We are so proud of him and all that he has accomplished and we look forward to what God has in store for him and our family for the rest of our journey for years to come!”
Son, Quentin said, “Largely, I would echo the comments from Mom. But as far as from my perspective as a firefighter and now as President of the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association I would add, ‘Jeff Cash is the definition of service and humility. He has been a leader of the NC fire service for over 40 years serving in the past as President of the Western NC Firefighters Association, President of the North Carolina Firefighters’ Association, Deputy Director of the North Carolina Associate of Fire Chiefs, and serving on the Executive Board of the National Volunteer Fire Council.’
“As great as all four of those accolades are, that isn’t what defines Jeff Cash or his service as Fire Chief. What defines Dad is the legacy he is leaving behind. He started building the people of the Cherryville Fire Department years ago. He was mentoring and preparing the future fire service leaders of the Cherryville FD, Gaston County and the state as a whole. You can’t go anywhere from ‘Murphy to Manteo’ without hearing about Chief Jeff Cash from ‘Churville’. About all accolades to us though, ‘Dad’ and ‘Hero’ is always what he will always be!”
Son, Chad, who is the Chief Operations Officer for Carolina Federal Credit Union as well as a Cherryville firefighter, said, “We are so proud of my dad. He had such an amazing career, and he did it the right way. I have always looked up to him since a young age and he is still my mentor to this day. His leadership and integrity are something I strive for daily. He always told us, ‘Give everything you do 110 percent and make sure to take care of the small things because if you do that the big things will take care of themselves.’ He loves the Lord, my mom, his family, and his community with a passion. For over 40-plus years he gave his blood, sweat, and tears to this community and our state. He isn’t defined by awards or accolades but having said that, he deserves this honor and again we are so proud of him!”
Cherryville Fire Chief Jason Wofford, a long-time friend and fellow firefighter, said of his former Chief and mentor, “I am happy to see Jeff receive such a prestigious award. For 32 years I have admired his service to our community but also for his work and dedication to the North Carolina fire service. He has testified before Congress, served on many national committees, and has served on many state boards. His hard work is much deserving of this honor.”

Second blast of Arctic air brings little snow; more winter mix our way

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Winter Storm Izzy had a big surprise for western North Carolina and Cherryville last weekend. The snowy, sleety beast roared in and dumped a great deal of the white, fluffy stuff ion our area, followed by the dreaded sleet, icy rain and more ice and more snow, piling it on in heaps and generally causing sloppy mayhem across the region.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, more of the cold wet stuff was forecast for the coming weekend as well, though according to weather pundits, that affected folks farther east in our state. Cherryville and its surrounding area got minor snow and more of the wintry mix from the second wintry onslaught.
City Manager Brian Dalton, who helped man the city’s EOC (Emergency Operations Center) said, he wanted to “personally praise the work all the department heads and their employees did for the storm.”
He continued, “Every department had their individual responsibilities and all did a great job in helping Cherryville get through the storm. There was great communication between all the groups to accomplish the goals of getting Cherryville and the citizens back to normal as fast as possible.”
Cherryville Fire Chief Jason Wofford agreed and said, “ Our on-duty staff stood by ready at a moment’s notice to help in any way we were needed.”
Chief Wofford knew the state and county crews had already been out brining the roadways and laying down salt but wasn’t sure exactly how much was done before the arrival of the storm.
Said Chief Wofford, “We received very few calls, but we did have a porch collapse that trapped the occupants of the house. Captain Kurt Black and Engineer Jacob Richardson went above and beyond the call of duty to assist the homeowners in that emergency situation.”
Chief Wofford continued, “I’d like to praise Capt. Black and Engineer Richardson with their handling of the porch collapse and add a word of thanks to our new City Manager for coming and manning the EOC all day that Sunday!”
Cherryville Police Chief Cam Jenks said their department responded to approximately eight (8) calls during the course of the storm that involved either minor motor vehicle collisions or vehicles that slid off of the roadway.
Chief Jenks continued, “We always evaluate potential risks during storms and rely on information from Gaston County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service. We will have crews on standby if they are needed if the second projected storm is bad.”
Fortunately that didn’t happen as the second storm delivered its punch more to the east of us, he noted.
Chief Jenks did have words of praise for his department and his men and women, as well as the citizens of Cherryville.
“First, I would like to thank the majority of our citizens that made a wise decision to stay off of the roads until the roads were passable. This cuts down on the risk of injury to not only the public but to the City of Cherryville employees. I would also like to thank all of the City of Cherryville employees that worked tirelessly through the storm to make sure the roads were clear and that the public was safe.”
While dangerous travel conditions were anticipated with this third winter storm of the year, state crews had already been treating the roads and highways in the eastern and central aprts of the state.
In a media release, State Transportation Secretary J. Eric Boyette said he and his people were “…getting ready for this storm. You need to be ready, too. Get prepared because once this storm hits, road conditions will quickly deteriorate, and you’ll need to stay off the roads.”
Boyette noted the storm was the second winter storm to hit North Carolina in less than a week and the third storm of 2022.
In the state’s media release, it was noted that “…nearly 800 NCDOT employees and contract crews” worked or were preparing to treat roads for the storm.
NCDOT and its contractors had more than 300 trucks and graders ready to work on roads through the weekend, it was reported and NCDOT employees had also “…readied their chainsaws and other heavy equipment” to make sure all were ready to go to cut and remove any downed trees and debris.
As of early Thursday afternoon last week, state and county crews had applied nearly 1 million gallons of brine in central and eastern North Carolina and had restocked supplies of salt and sand to treat roads after the snow and freezing rain starts.
For information about the work NCDOT does before, during and after winter storms, please visit the NCDOT: Winter Storms web page.
For real-time travel information in lieu of the next impending winter storm or emergency, visit DriveNC.gov, or follow NCDOT on social media.

Also votes to annex property known as Stroup Acres

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

At Monday night’s Jan. 10 regular Cherryville City Council session, Council members heard the audit report from Butler and Stowe about the city’s audit, ending June 30, 2021, from Mr. Robert Adams, who is one of the managing partners with that firm.
Mr. Adams noted his firm met with the audit committee members on Thursday, Jan. 6 to review the audited financial statements for the year ending with the aforementioned date.
Wrote Mr. Adams in a brief handed to Council members, “Our opinion on the financial statements for the year end was a clean opinion, which means: (a.) the City has met the audit requirements of the North Carolina General Statutes, and (b.) the financial statements represent the financial status of the City at June 30, 2021.”
Adams also noted some of the financial highlights are as follows: “… (a.) the City ended the year with combined assets exceeding the liabilities by $20,361,000; (b.) the City received funding of the voter-approved bonds and recorded the receipt of $3,653,000 in the General Fund and $5,944,000 in the Water and Sewer Fund; (c.) the unassigned fund balance of the General Fund was $1,080,621. This represents funds available to the Council without restriction. This is an increase of $298,000 over the prior year; (and) (d.) the two enterprise funds, Electric and Water & Sewer, had a combined income of $524,027 for the year ended June 30, 2021.”
Adams spoke to the audit committee – comprised of chairman Jon Abernethy, Mayor H.L. Beam, staff members Brian Dalton (City Manager) and (Finance Director) Dixie Wall and volunteers Pam Harris and Scott Harrill – about future challenges and opportunities for the city and the Council going forward into the coming fiscal year, which include, among other things, budgeting and cash flowing the debt service for the bonds.
He noted, in closing his remarks in his brief, that, “…the improvements to the City’s infrastructure and other funding opportunities made possible by the Cares Act and American Rescue Plan will provide the city and the City Council with great opportunities to improve the city and enhance the lives of its citizens.”
City Manager Brian Dalton said of the report by the auditors that it was a “very good” report for Cherryville.
Council approved the 2021-2022 Budget Amendment items brought up by Dixie Wall then considered the appointments to the Architectural Review Board, approving the recommendations as read.
The Council then heard an update on Piedmont Lithium’s progress from Mayor Beam as well as an update by City Manager Dalton on the City’s purchasing cards that have been issued to the department heads.
Mr. Dalton noted that perhaps the biggest news of the meeting was that, after going into and out of public hearing, the City Council unanimously voted on the ordinance to approve the annexation of the area and parcels of land at 1404 Shelby Hwy., known also as Stroup Acres, LLC, and their rezoning from R-40 to CU R-9 Cluster, CU RMF, and B-2 zoning.
In other ordinance action, Mayor H.L. Beam read an ordinance making Jan. 23-29, 2022 City of Cherryville School Choice Week. Council approved the ordinance as read.
Mr. Dalton brought up another ordinance, this one to consider a resolution to begin an upset bid process on a city-owned lot located on W. Main St. (the corner of W. Main and Mulberry Streets). This was voted on and approved by Council.

“Following the boom” and driving out evil spirits for a better New Year

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The small Cleveland County town of Waco heard the “boom” of musket fire on Jan. 1, 2022, around 1 p.m., as the Cherryville New Year’s Shooter’s, Inc. group congregated at the town’s Community Center to help them welcome in the New Year.
Greeting them were Mayor John E. “Butch” Barrett, Jr., and Alderman Linwood Pete Sauls, as well as a number of residents who came out for the popular spectacle.
Mayor Barrett said this isn’t the first time the group has come to Waco, the town whose motto is, “History with Pride and Vision”, to shoot in the New Year.
“They shot at my grandparents, A.A. Barrett’s, house in the ‘60’s, and they have shot at the Post Office here in the past as well. For the past six years they have come over and shot at the Waco Community Center. We have always had a good turnout to see and hear them when they come by,” he said.
Barrett, who has been mayor of the little town since 2015, added they “…had a huge turnout this year” as can be seen on the town’s Facebook page.
Saying it was one of the warmest “shoots” on record for  him,  Cherryville New Year’s Shooter’s, Inc. Secretary, Rusty Wise, reaffirmed that their group has indeed been coming over to Waco for a number of years, shooting in the New Year for the town and its residents.
“They always are glad to see us when we come by and we like getting out that way,” said Mr. Wise, who also noted their group has always enjoyed shooting at Waco.
Wise also noted their group honored the memory of the late Carl C. “Boozie” Dellinger, their President, at their 2022 last shot at Rudisill Stadium in Cherryville on Jan. 1.
“We also recognized their family that night as well,” he added.
Dennis Devine, of Cherryville, the President of the Traditional New Year’s Shooters group, said by phone recently that their group has also shot in Cleveland County “…many years ago, at the home of the late Roy Kale.”
He continued, “We would then go on in to Shelby and shoot at a couple of places there, but like I said, that has been a while since we have done that.”
The Shooter’s groups and their members are just glad to be “out and about” after the pandemic’s ravages. They are always happy to practice what their chant calls, “the art and science” of firing their guns and to scare away any evil spirits and shoot in a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year.
For more information on the Town of Waco, email them at townofwaco@gmail.com. For more information on the Cherryville New Year’s Shooter’s, Inc., go to https://cherryvilleshooters.com. For more information on the Traditional New Year’s Shooters, go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Cherryville-Traditional-New-Year-Shooters.

Moved upstairs to main floor and
expanded

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The New Year’s Shooters exhibit, once located in the basement of the Cherryville Historical Museum, has now found a new home of sorts… one flight up and in the main hall of the CHM.
Rusty Wise, owner of Wise Electric and Mr. Sparky, and the Secretary of the Cherryville New Year’s Shooter’s, Inc. group, said he was approached about perhaps working on a new and upgraded exhibit to better reflect what the groups and their history mean to the community.
Said Rusty, “The museum started talking about renovating the basement, including the Shooters exhibit. As discussions progressed, including adding the documentary movie and new items, it was decided to move it upstairs. Many of the Shooters artifacts were deteriorating in the basement, as well as the basement being limited to through traffic because the use of stairs being required to access the exhibit.”
Wise noted that most everything in the exhibit is new; the aluminum storyboards are new as well as some muskets and other items with very little being relocated upstairs.
As far as knowing what to pick, what to show, how to show it all, and what to leave off and not show was concerned, “Mr. Wise said, “The museum and both Shooter’s groups provided pictures and information (for the new exhibit). It was a painstaking process of what to include. We went through at least a dozen edits in the process.”
Rusty continued, “The museum provided the funds for the storyboards. The Cherryville New Year Shooters provided the new TV monitor. One musket was provided by Dan Ginn in memory of (his son) Joey Ginn. The other artifacts, including an original 1862 musket was given by me and our Shooters group. The painting and case work was done, or brought about, by the museum.”
Rusty noted the museum’s intention is to leave the new exhibit where it is permanently.
“The shooters are the oldest thing in the museum – older than Cherryville itself,” he said, adding, “That’s the biggest reason we wanted it at the main entrance. There is over 100 years of history there in the exhibit, with pictures and hundreds just with the history itself! The exhibit starts at the beginning of New Year’s shooting in the world even.”
Wise said, “Our group’s philosophy is all about history and we have most of the Shooter records thanks to Howell Stroup and other members of our group” though he added both Shooter’s groups are represented in the new exhibit.
He continued, “The public has yet to see it as it was just finished. We plan to have a grand opening for the exhibit sometime when the museum wants to.”
Additionally, Rusty said he is “really excited” how the “real” crossed guns hanging up turned out as it mimics their logo patch.
Museum Director Mrs. Pat Sherrill said of the new exhibit, “This is the best exhibit we have done. The New Year Shooter’s (story) is the town’s oldest history, and  since this is our oldest history, it belongs in the first room of the Museum.”
Sherrill noted the project has taken “…about six months.”
She continued, “We have two shooters groups in Cherryville and it’s my purpose and intention to be sure all history is equally represented. Gary Dellinger (Traditional New Year’s Shooters) and Rusty (Cherryville New Year’s Shooters, Inc.), and Casey at Modern Printing have been most helpful.”
Mrs. Sherrill added that the exhibit includes the documentary that Rusty has done.
She continued, “This exhibit earned its place because of Howell Stroup, Boozie Dellinger, Don Homesley, Rusty Wise, Gary Dellinger and thousands of  loyal shooters who over the years have carried the tradition forward, going out in rain, sleet or snow to wish all a Happy New Year.”
For more information on this or other CHM exhibits, their hours of operation, or just general information on the history of Cherryville, please call (704) 435-8011.
The Museum is located on Main Street in Downtown Cherryville, next to the Cherryville Family YMCA.

Both groups glad to be out again, continuing their time-honored tradition of shooting in the New Year

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

If you are new to the area you are in for a tried and true, traditional treat as both Cherryville New Year’s shooters groups prepare to start their 24-hour long welcome for the New Year 2022.
The two groups carry on a centuries-old tradition brought over by their ancestors who arrived from Germany and other places in Europe back when this country was in its infancy.
It is a cultural tradition that has survived to this day, in spite of its naysayers and critics and those who generally can’t (or won’t) understand why such traditions continue in the first place.
The easy answer to that is because they are… well, TRADITIONS!
That said, here is what is happening with each group, as told by a couple of their officers.
Rusty Wise, a long-time member of the Cherryville New Year’s Shooters, Inc. group, said their group is “…back to normal this year as in years past.” He added, “(There are) no special COVID restrictions or anything since the public has access to the vaccines. Of course, things could change, but that is the plan as of this (past) week.”
He said their group will start at midnight of Dec. 31, at Black’s Grill and end at Rudisill Stadium approximately at 6:30 p.m. Wise noted pluses for them are that “…membership is up 50 more members this year to date over years past. We expect a huge crowd this year since everyone has been restricted by COVID and wants to get out and celebrate. Also New Year’s falling on Friday night and Saturday will bring out more people. We are preparing for large crowds.”
This year, Mr. Wise noted the entire 2022 shoot will be in tribute to the late Carl Boozie Dellinger the group’s past President.
Said Wise, “His picture is on our member ID badges this year and we will have a special tribute for Boozie at Rudisill Stadium.”
The CNYSI groups has, noted Wise, added 50 shots this year as in years past.
He said, “We’ve added Boozie’s family on there (the schedule) this year. We’ve had many people requesting us to shoot for them but we can only get to so many. We will shoot for Mt. Beulah Church this year just like last year. It’s nice to see a church requesting us to shoot for them. If future new hosts keep requesting we will eventually get to them.”
Rusty also said he and his son, Winston have been working really hard on the Cherryville Historical Museum Shooters exhibit.
“Winston and I finally finished it. Hopefully, we’ll do a 'grand opening’ or something for it in the next few weeks.”
Traditional New Year’s Shooters group officer Gary Dellinger and his fellow members are looking forward to getting out again to shoot in the New Year, as they always have for many years now. Like all New Year’s shooters, the joy of getting to carry on a great and cherished tradition always puts a smile on their face and a spring in their step, no matter their age or who they are.
Said Mr. Dellinger, “We have had a pretty big increase in the number of new members this year. We had 30 new members join last year, and we are already over that number this year with two meetings left. 1997 was the first year we started keeping a cumulative membership list. Prior to that, the membership records are only for that year for those who paid.”
Gary continued, “In 1997, we had 101 members. This year, we just went over 650 members. That doesn’t mean they are all active this year, it just means at some time since 1997, they have filled out a membership application, been voted on by the group, and paid their dues.”
Dellinger noted that Cherryville makes up the majority of their members, with over half being Cherryville citizens.
“Vale, Crouse, Lincolnton and Bessemer City combined make up another 1/4th of the membership, and we even have members from as far away as Michigan and Pennsylvania,” he said.
As for the schedule, Dellinger said, “We are keeping some changes we made to the schedule last year. We will start at City Hall at midnight as usual, but from there we will be going out of the city limits where it is less populated to continue the route.  We will come back into the city around 6 a.m. This follows the traditional intent of the schedule to welcome in the New Year in the city, then go where not as many people will be bothered by the noise while most people sleep.
“We followed this route last year, and it was well received. It also puts more shots in the daytime in Cherryville where more citizens have a chance to see what is going on. It is often difficult to see at night when the smoke from the guns limits the view in the darkness.”
Gary noted there are a few new shots added this year.
“We will be shooting for the Kurt Thornburg family on Hwy. 274, south of town, and the Rev. Keith Huss family on Sellerstown Road. The Brian Kelly family on Hwy. 27 in Vale moved from the Lincoln County pre-shoot route to the New Years route this year as well. We had a few shoots come off the route last year, but we always have new ones wanting to be added, and we like to keep the number of shots to around 55,” he said.
In addition to himself as the group’s Vice President, Gary said the other officers for the group this year are Dennis Devine (President), Mark Moss (Secretary), and Will McSwain (Treasurer).  Megan Dellinger is the Administrative Assistant, and Scott Harrill is the safety officer and shot coordinator.
“Our board members are Bud Mellon, Ryan Pence, Josh Mellon, Charlie Canipe, Jason Wilson, Zeb Mellon, Kevin McSwain, Daniel Hendrick, Colton Brittain, Glenn Wilson, and Barry Sisk,” he said.

Eleven girls participated in the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant, which was held on Friday evening, Dec. 3 at the Cherryville Community Building. The pageant was an official event of the “Whoville Christmas on Main Street” celebration in downtown Cherryville.
The winners were Miniature Miss Annalayah Poston, Tiny Miss Taylin Hall, Little Miss Hope Logan, Young Miss Savannah Hubbard, and Majestic Miss Miley Littlejohn.
The princess award winners were Ellie Rudisill, Emma Johnson, Karter Edwards, Alexis Long, Delaney Hastings, and Heavenly Quinn.
The signatures award winners were Emma Johnson, Alexis Long, Delaney Hastings, Heavenly Quinn, Miley Littlejohn, Savannah Hubbard, and Karter Edwards. The overall signatures award winner was Annalayah Poston.
Savannah Hubbard was the overall photogenic award winner.  The photogenic award finalists were Annalayah Poston, Taylin Hall, Karter Edwards, and Miley Littlejohn.  Taylin Hall was the first application award winner.
The Little Miss Gastonia Pageant sponsored the pageant in partnership with the Cherryville Chamber of Commerce.

Former military veteran has created over 300 works, mostly from memory

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Somerset Court resident Harold Donald “Don” Harris is what you might call a “self-taught” artist. By his own admission the U.S. Army veteran (1971-1972) started painting when he was in the sixth grade and has had no art classes.
Harris, 68, really doesn’t know exactly what style his paintings are, though they are a bit similar to the New York-born American folk artist Grandma Moses, whose real name was Anna Mary Robertson Moses (1860-1961).
Harris favors using acrylic paints and paints in his room at Somerset Court, doing so from his wheelchair as various health issues related to diabetes don’t allow him to stand and paint using an easel.
Harris is also quick to let anyone know he is a conservative Republican and adds he is also a “Biblical person.”
Don’s step-dad was a 30-year Army man, and Don noted he was born in Germany, where his step-dad was stationed with the family. They later moved to Texas before coming to Valdese, N.C., to live in his stepfather’s parent’s house. Harris has three brothers, one of whom is deceased. He is also the father of two girls, both of whom live in Burke County.
“I have to say, the past 20 years have been very traumatic for me because of health issues. I have diabetes and bad neuropathy and am paralyzed from my left hip down,” he said.
Harris said he did attend college at the age of 57, going to Western Piedmont Community College for two years, majoring in U.S. Government and Political Debate.
“I have had two writing classes but no art classes,” he said.
Harris noted he has probably painted “…over 300 paintings” while living both
at Somerset and where he lived previously, at the Brian Center in Hickory. Prior to his being at the Brian Center, he said he lived at the Longview Assisted Living Center (two and a half years) in Morganton. He has spent a total of eight years living at the Brian Center and at Somerset Court.
Harris, who said he appreciates beauty, said he has never done a painting in just one day, preferring to take his time with them; sometimes as much as two weeks to finish one. He also makes his own frames, he added.
“I can’t say that I have had any artistic influence, and I call my own work, ‘Nostalgic’, because I paint stuff that is real, you know… real-life scenes. I don’t take requests for my art, I paint what I like and I also paint scenes from my memory,” he said.
Harris speculates he has been painting seriously now for about seven years, having picked it back up from where he left off.
“I guess it (the ability) never left me,” said Harris. “I haven’t forgot how to do it.”
So far as his affliction go, Don said he has never been angry at God, the way some folks can be when faced with debilitating illness or handicaps.
“My afflictions are my own fault,” said Harris, who said he is a reformed alcoholic, who says Christ is his higher power. He said all the bad things from the alcoholism have cleared up now.
“I do miss my church family though. I was raised a Baptist by my grandparents.”
Currently Harris is in need of art supplies as he has to have someone either go get them for him or bring some to him at the facility.
“Right now, I need paint, brushes, paint bottles, that sort of stuff. I’m low on everything,” he said.
Harris is a hard worker when it comes to the painting noting that once he gets focused on a painting, he tries to see it through as much as possible, adding however, he does get tired more easily these days and has to rest more often.
Harris said he wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, adding for them to all remember that “…Jesus is the Reason for the Season!”
If anyone would like to purchase or contribute art supplies to Mr. Harris, they may do so by purchasing them and bringing them to Somerset Court at 401 W. Academy St., Cherryville, and leaving them at the front desk for Mr. Harold “Don” Harris. You can also call them at (704) 445-1554 and ask what he might need, or when you can bring any supplies by to leave for him, if you wish. It is requested any art supplies brought to the facility for Mr. Harris be new and not used.

Many came by to wish him well and good fortune in his future

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

City Manager/Fire Chief Jeff Cash’s retirement reception – which took place on Monday, Nov. 29 – was well-attended by his many friends, family members, city employees, and many fire associates with whom he has worked or interacted with over his 40-plus years of local government and community service.
They all met at the CFD station house to wish him well in what is sure to be a bright future, filled with plans for family time, resting, reading, and exploring Mr. Cash’s many hobbies and fire service-related activities.
Fire service and community service is in the blood of the Cash family, as is evidenced by his long service to the Cherryville community; his wife’s service as a CFD wife and mother to two young men – Chad and Quentin – whose lives also are entrenched in working for the fire service and their communities in which they live.
According to an earlier Eagle article City Manager/Fire Chief Cash, announced his retirement as Fire Chief and City Manager to become effective on Jan. 1, 2022. Also announced in that same article is the upcoming promotion of Assistant Fire Chief Jason Wofford to Fire Chief, effective Jan. 2, 2022.
For the four-plus decades Chief Cash has served the City of Cherryville, his career at the Cherryville Fire Department says it all, starting his fire services life (in earnest) in December of 1981. Cash was later promoted to Fire Chief in 1984, and then promoted to City Manager/Fire Chief in 2018.
When asked how it felt to have so many friends, and well-wishers come out to share you great day, he replied, “It was a great day and I was so blessed to have so many family members, peers, colleagues, citizens, and friends come to my reception drop-in. It was an especially nice event and I thank Assistant Chief Wofford, the troops, Brittany, and my wife, Cynthia for hosting the event. It was also very special to me that some of the vendors we have utilized for years and years sponsored the event making it no cost to the city. Once again, I am a very blessed individual.”
Chief Cash’s wife and two sons said they were glad to see the day come as they know what Jeff has given to the city and to the fire department and how much he was looking forward to retirement.
Mrs. Cash said she knows retiring from one’s lifestyle and passion is a bittersweet thing for Jeff, but she also knows he will, after resting a bit, finds ways to get involved with his love of fire science in some manner.
Jeff’s sons and their wives said they are glad for him that he is retiring and will get to spend more time with his family and doing some traveling.
“He’s really been looking forward to this,” noted Chad and Quentin.
Though he will be officially retired after the first of the year, Chief Cash said he has a few things in the works, and hopes, after he takes time to rest up and relax, to work on those projects and such.
Said Chief Cash, “I will continue to do some side work with my consulting business, Bucket Brigade Consulting, LLC. I also may have an opportunity in the safety division with NASCAR. I also have been contacted by Jackie Ireland of VFIS Insurance about a position with their company. For the month of December, I simply plan to do a lot of resting and reading. I also plan to spend time with all my family for the Christmas season/holidays. Cynthia and I are going on a trip in late December.”
As for having any last minute words or instructions for AC Wofford and the guys at CFD, or for the City of Cherryville’s staff with whom he has worked, Chief Cash said, “Always provide the citizens and visitors of Cherryville with the highest, quality level of customer service possible. Always operate by keeping firefighter safety paramount (at all times); to keeping Cherryville citizens safe, and God bless the fire department and their families. This also includes all of the city’s wonderful, committed, dedicated, professional employees. They are the city’s most critical asset!”
Assistant Chief Jason Wofford said, “Chief Cash will most definitely be missed. I, along with all our members, will always regard his leadership, friendship, and love of our community as a guide to carry on our service.”
Dixie Wall, the City of Cherryville’s Finance Director, said of Mr. Cash, “Jeff was a dedicated and professional leader. I enjoyed working under his tenure and appreciate his encouragement and trust in my role as Finance/Administrative Utility Director for the City of Cherryville. I wish him the best and hope he can enjoy his retirement.”
Councilman Gary Freeman thanked Mr. Cash for his long service to Cherryville, adding, “He put Cherryville on the map, as far as fire science and firefighting are concerned. As city manager, he saved the city money and guided us (the Council) and helped spearhead the research on the bond referendum.”
City councilwoman Jill Parker-Puett said, “He is going to be missed. He has been quite a leader in the fire services and is highly respected by his peers.”
Mayor H.L. Beam, III said of Mr. Cash’s retirement, “I would say it has been an honor working with him, and I am happy for Jeff and his family, and wish them all the best!”

Signs heralding champ and his home town dedicated at Nov. 10 ceremony

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Whenever you hear people talking about boxing in general these days, one of the names sure to be mentioned is that of World Heavyweight Champion, the late Floyd Patterson, formerly of Waco, N.C. He was known as “The Gentleman of Boxing”, and he was every bit that, and more.
The Town of Waco had a dedication ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 10, to honor the late champ’s memory, inviting NC Boxing Commission Chairperson Valerie Dorsett to speak about Mr. Patterson and his contribution to the sport.
Patterson, who was born on Jan. 4, 1935, in the small town of Waco, and who passed away in 2006, made history, as Ms. Dorsett noted in the speech she gave that day at the Southern States store, located on 2330 Cherryville Rd., and just across from one of the signs, just as you head toward Waco from Cherryville. In addition to Dorsett, Waco Mayor John Barrett, and a host of local and state officials were on hand to pay tribute to the man whose humble beginnings took him not only to center stage in the greatest boxing arenas and venues of the world but helped him stand before and meet many great leaders, telling them his story and of his ability to become who he became.
In addition to eventually becoming the World  Heavyweight Champion – a fight he won on Nov. 30, 1956 by knocking out Archie Moore, making him, at 26, the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in the history of boxing – Patterson won the New York Golden Gloves title in 1951 and 1952. He then became an international sensation at age 17 when he took Olympic gold at the Helsinki, Finland Games in 1952.
In her speech, Ms. Dorsett  described  Patterson’s hard life growing up; his struggles with learning, as well as his rise through the ranks of boxing. She noted his many “firsts” in the world of boxing, speaking of all the famous boxers with whom he competed, not the least of which was the late Muhammad Ali, to whom he lost the WH boxing champ title.
As she noted, “Subsequently, Floyd retired from professional boxing with a record of 55 – 8, 40 KOs and one draw. This is a very impressive record for one who weighed only 185 pounds, with a 71-inch reach in the heavyweight division.”
Dorsett noted also that “…after retiring from boxing Floyd continued within the industry,” and was “…a Champion for boxing, testifying before a Congressional subcommittee.” Dorsett said Floyd also served as Chair of the New York State Athletic Commission and was also voted into the US Olympic Committee Hall of Fame in 1987, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.
In closing her speech, she said, “Floyd was definitely loved by the public,” and “…was an inspiration to all, and though he and his family moved to New York at an early age he never forgot his roots in North Carolina,” adding, “I had the honor of not only meeting Mr. Patterson but escorting him at a fight night and definitely agree that he was the Gentleman of Boxing. Waco, you really know how to make them and should be very proud of your offspring. He was truly one of the greatest boxers of all times!”
Mayor Barrett said in his opening comments that getting the signs was something he wanted to do for the Patterson Family and the Town of Waco since he came to the Mayor’s office.
“Mr. Ed Goforth and (Cleveland County Commissioner) Ronnie Whetstine approached me about this, about getting things started on this,” said Mayor Barrett.
“We are very proud to do this for the Patterson Family,” he said, then looking at the family gathered there, added, “This is for you.”
One of those attending the ceremony, NC State Senator, Ted Alexander said, “I’m glad this can be done for him (Floyd Patterson). This is a good day for the Patterson Family and for Waco.”
Representative Kelly Hastings, said, “I want to thank Mayor Barrett and the Town of Waco for doing this for the Patterson Family and for the Town of Waco as well.”
In addition to the various local, county and state officials at the ceremony, members of Floyd Patterson’
s family were on hand for the ceremony: Tyrone Patterson, Grady Patterson, Dorfus H. Patterson, Jr., Junior Phillips Patterson, Phedra Kee, Goldene Kee, Kevin Kee, Evelyn Haynes, Carolyn Wilson, and Winnie Keaton.

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The 2021 Cherryville Christmas Parade’s Grand Marshals have been chosen and they are the Lail Family, of Home Folks Café fame. It is a ‘first’ for them, though they said their dad’s truck was in a previous Christmas Parade.
The Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11, starting at 10:30 a.m., and ending at 2 p.m., noted Chamber Director Mary Beth Tackett, who noted the Lail Family had been chosen for the unique honor.
The three Lail siblings –Thomas, Sandra, and Janet – who are very pleased with the honor, said they were informed by the Cherryville Chamber of Commerce as to their selection.
They sat down recently with the Eagle and talked about the restaurant, started in Cherryville sometime in the ‘30’s they said. It was then bought by their father and mother, Roy and Doris Lail, who ran it and prepared all the meals and dishes for which they are famous, for 50 years. While Roy and Doris are – sadly – no longer with us, their children have continued the family tradition, having grown up working in the beloved restaurant, learning all the recipes, and keeping as true to them as possible.
The three are quick to point out that while they and the restaurant get a lot of praise for the excellent meals, it is thanks also to the wonderful staff of waitresses, cooks, and others, as well as their excellent customers that really makes Home Folks what it is today – a great small-town diner with some of the best home-cooked food around.
Sisters, Sandra and Janet, noted that Thomas will actually be riding in the parade as they will still be cooking up some great food while the parade is moving down Main Street that Saturday.
“That’s usually our busiest time,” said Janet, who said of their being chosen as Grand Marshal, “We feel honored to have been chosen.”
Thomas agreed, adding he too was “…glad to chosen” to ride in the parade.
Mrs. Tackett said the Chamber and the City are glad to be able to have a parade again as COVID-19 restrictions basically shut everything Christmas down in 2020; no parade; no Who-Ville.
As for the time in an earlier parade, Thomas pointed out a somewhat faded photo of their dad’s 1946 Chevrolet panel truck making its way down Main Street in the 2004 parade. In the photo, Mrs. Lail can be seen happily throwing out candy and treats to the little kids lining the street.
Janet said her love of Cherryville’s Christmas Parades stems from the fact that she loves seeing the kids come out for them.
“Just seeing the joy on their faces! It’s worth it all and brings back a lot of great memories,” she said.
Another facet of Cherryville’s downtown Christmas tradition many will remember is, as Thomas reminded everyone, his dressing up as Santa Claus and walking up and down Main Street handing out candy to the merchants and shoppers during the wonderful holiday season.
Said Thomas, “I have been Santa since 1992. I love it! It’s a lot of fun watching people’s faces as you come up to them, hand out some candy and say, ‘Merry Christmas!’”
For more information on the Cherryville Christmas Parade, check out the Chamber’s website, their Facebook page or call them at (704) 435-3451.

The four–called “Patriot Angels” by the Court – were overjoyed at the recognition

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Four Veterans currently living at Somerset Court of Cherryville were recently treated to a ceremony in their honor on Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day 2021.
The four are Harold “Don” Harris (Army), Claude Dixon (Navy), Robert Gore (Army), and Dale Leagon (Navy).
In a media release, Cigi Sparks, Communications Manager for the assisted living center, said the Court wanted to host the Veteran’s Day event on that day in order to recognize the military vets who have served their country and who now reside at Somerset. Sparks noted Cherryville Mayor H.L. Beam, III, and members of the Post 100 American Legion, Unit 100 of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and staff members of the Court would be on hand to help these vets celebrate their day.
The event started at 2:30 p.m., and though a light rain was coming down, nothing dampened the enthusiasm of those in attendance.
Cigi noted the men were called their “Patriot Angels”, a title written at the head of their certificates. The certificates were presented to the four men by Mayor Beam and Ms. Sparks, along with Unit 100 Ladies Auxiliary and current National American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Commander Jill Parker-Puett. Assisting the Mayor and Mrs. Puett were Post 100 American Legion Commander Mike Robinson, Post 100 American Legion Vice-Commander Monica Lockwood, and members of the Post 100 American Legion Color Guard, Brian Dailey and Mickey Brown, as well as Unit 100 Auxiliary member Lynette Christensen.
Sparks also noted Somerset Court is home to 42 residents, who are taken care of by approximately 30 staff members.
Mrs. Puett, who is also a Cherryville Councilwoman, Mayor Beam, and the Legion members pinned the four veterans with small red, white, and blue ribbons with shield-shaped badges attached, in honor of their great service to America, then they, with Sparks’ help, presented the men with their certificates.
The four men have each been residents at Somerset Court for a few years now, and to a man, each said they were not only honored to receive the pins and the certificates, but were humbled and overjoyed they were recognized on behalf of the many American men and women who served.
Harold “Don” Harris noted also we should never forget all those veterans who didn’t get to come home, and who gave their all for this great country.
Navy veteran Claude Dixon, who formerly worked in the newspaper business for the Cherryville Eagle and Republic newspapers, said the recognition on Veteran’s Day was “…a bit of a surprise, but a good one!”
After the pinning, Mrs. Puett read from a prepared speech on the folding of the American flag and on the history of Veteran’s Day. She also talked about her father, a veteran of WWII, who she said “fought for our flag.”
Mrs. Puett noted the blue field on the flag stands for our sky; the red stripes for the blood, sweat and tears; and the white stripes for peace. She went to describe, as the Legion Color Guard folded the American flag, what each of the 13 folds stands for: Light, Belief, Remembrance (of our Vets), Warrior Nature, Tribute to Courage, Where our Hearts Lie, Tribute to our Armed Forces, Tribute to the Ones who died and to Honor their Mothers, Tribute to Womanhood, Tribute to Fathers, Eyes of the Hebrew God of Abraham and Isaac on us, the Eyes of Christians watching, and lastly, the Complete Stars of the Field, representing that In God We Trust!
“The final shape of the folded American flag is in the shape of America’s first President, George Washington’s tri-cornered hat. It is then given to the wife or family of a fallen veteran,” she concluded.
“Taps” was then performed by Legionnaire Mickey Brown, and the program was concluded.
Harold Harris did comment on how we should never forget those left behind in Afghanistan because we owe them for their help to our military men and women who served there before the recent pull-out.

 

Butter Me Up Bakery Chef and staff serve up a bevy of great sweet treats

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Watching Chef Rebecca Goins hard at work, it’s easy to see why she and her crew do such a great job at baking such fantastic sweet treats and other culinary delights at Goins’ Downtown Cherryville shop, Butter Me Up Bakery.
But Goins isn’t just a baker or confectioner, she is also one of many of America’s military veterans, men and women who served their country, and are now back home, like Rebecca, who is serving her hometown folks in another, yet just as important way, making them smile and go, “Yum!” when they taste her delicious foods.
Simply put, Rebecca Goins is an entrepreneur who passionate about her business and chosen profession and who loves what she does.
Goins said she served in the Navy as a Master-at-Arms, which she said is also known as the Military Police.
“I went to bootcamp at Great Lakes, Illinois, (and) Police Academy in San Antonio, Texas,” she said.
Goins noted she was then stationed in San Diego, California, with the base police.
“I was deployed from there to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where I was a detention guard,” which she said was a “…six-month deployment (that) turned into two years of permanent duty.”
She continued, “I then served in Naples, Italy, for two years as base police. And lastly, (I served in) Manama, Bahrain, for my last year as base police and anti-terrorism.” Goins was honorably discharged in February 2010.
“I chose the military for the college opportunities and to explore the world beyond our small town,” noted Mrs. Goins, who is originally from Louisiana but who moved to Cherryville when she was 13.
“It (Cherryville) has been my home ever since,” she said.
As for her love of cooking and baking and such, Goins smiled and said, “I’ve always loved to cook. My transition back home as a civilian was very hard and I used cooking as a therapy to help refocus my life and purpose. It is a passion that brings happiness not only to myself but others, as well as it gives me a way to reconnect with my community.”
Goins noted that Butter Me Up Cakes and Catering opened Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 in Cherryville. She originally ran her business out of her home, but she and husband Justin decided it was time to have her own building, she said, in a 2020 Eagle article on the grand opening of her business. She still has Justin and their daughters, Lily and Piper, helping out as they can.
Also helping Rebecca out in the bakery are her sister, Madeline “Maddie” Anthony (cookie decorator and – as Goins notes –“so much more!”); and friend, Maleena White, who works in the kitchen and is one of the idea creators, as Rebecca termed it. They are joined by Megan Carpenter, who “works the front of the house” and Earlene Roberson, as well as brother-in-law, Justin Anthony, whom Rebecca called “an all-around handy man, tech support.”
The bakery is open five days a week, she said, “Monday through Fridays, from 9 a.m., to 5 p.m.; and from 9 a.m., to 3 p.m., on Saturdays. Goins noted they don’t do off-site catering anymore but will take call-ins for pickup.
To contact Butter Me Up Cakes and Catering, Rebecca said to call her at (980) 241-6490, or email her at buttermeup.cakesandcatering@gmail.com.

Cherryville High School has had a pep club, affectionately known as the METALHEADS, for several years now. This year the students wanted to be a little more involved in the themes for our Friday night football games. As a group we decided we wanted to do a “Pink Out” in support of cancer awareness. We just recently lost one of our former staff members whose husband still works as a teacher at our school to a battle with cancer.
We sold a little over 100 T-shirts to our students and community. In addition, a few businesses donated directly to the cause. We will have just over $1,000 to donate to Atrium Health Foundation to help support cancer patients and their families. This year our group has selected our game with Bessemer City High School to support the cause and spread awareness.
Moving forward, we would like to work with another school in our conference to have a “Pink Out” game where both schools sell shirts and collect local business donations from our two communities to raise money for the people that Atrium Health Foundation serves.
One of our CHS alumni works with the cancer programs at Atrium Health Foundation and will be helping us plan our event in the coming years to increase our efforts to raise money and awareness for those that suffer from this terrible disease.
At last Friday’s Oct. 29, donation, while surrounded by a sea of pink, we honored the memory of our former teacher, Mrs. Teresa Henley, by donating to the Atrium Health Foundation.
We could not have made this possible without our staff and students supporting the cause, as well as several of our community businesses sending financial support.
A huge thank you to The Medical Center Pharmacy of Cherryville; Mister Sparky/Wise Electric; Watson Electric; Freemans Car Stereo; Print It LLC; Fins and Feathers Lifestyle apparel; and the Cherryville Metalheads.

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville High School senior Landrie Wofford and a number of her classmates and fellow “Kindness Club” members recently brought a great message to a couple of local Cherryville schools – “Say NO to bullying!”
Ms. Wofford said they created posters for W.B. Beam Intermediate School, noting that each poster has a unique message, such as, “One kind word can change someone’s entire day.”
Landrie organized the project a year or so ago, she said, along with then-CHS senior Ben Hayes, and a handful of others at the high school. In addition to taking the posters to WBBI, Ms. Wofford said they also had “World Unity Day/Say No to Bullying Day – Wear Orange”.
“The positive school poster project was started back in 2019 and was purchased from a generous grant from Walmart, Carolina Federal Credit Union, and donations other community members as well as money raised from fundraisers due to the efforts of the Kindness Club in 2020” noted Landrie. “Due to the cost of the posters, there are three phases – we are on Phase Two.”
Kindness Club members from 2020 helped raise funds through fundraisers, including a “Stand Up for Others” tee-shirt that helped purchase these posters at Beam Intermediate and Cherryville Elementary, Wofford said.
She continued, “The idea for the posters was set from the initial goal of the Kindness Club when I first formed the club with Ben (Hayes – currently a sophomore at Appalachian State University). We set goals to hang these positive posters in the school’s bathrooms. Also, we set weekly goals to send out positive messages on social media and throughout the community (on cars, mail, “to go” food containers, etc.).”
The plan was to work as a club to achieve monthly kindness activities that would benefit our community and encourage others to spread kindness, noted Landrie, who added, “The co-sponsor team also committed to following the guidelines for the National Anti-Bullying Association.”
As for the wearing of orange, Wofford said October 20, 2021, the National Day for Unity, was chosen and the purpose was to make a visible stand against bullying by encouraging students to wear orange.
“Orange is the official color for anti-bullying and Cherryville schools proudly made a visible stand to wear orange to stand up for others!” she said.
CHS students painted the school’s Spirit Rock orange, shared positive social media messages, and participated in acts of kindness activities for random students. Also, this week, Cherryville Elementary students colored a “Kindness Matters” coloring sheet as a reminder to be kind to one another. Landrie said she volunteers at the school each week to learn from guidance counselor, Mrs. Beth Moss, by helping children with activities, while promoting positivity and kindness to children.
Wofford noted her future goals are to be a Trauma Counselor with a concentration in Art Therapy and work with children. adding that she finds such value with working with Mrs. Moss.
At WBBI, students were encouraged to fill out an “Act of Kindness” BINGO sheet. Together, these students helped make a stand against bullying and helping provide acceptance to all students.
Said Landrie, “Mr. Timmy Fleming, Mrs. Kimberly Beam and Mr. Mark Reep have all been very helpful with spreading the message of kindness to their students daily and helping with many Kindness Club efforts over the past year.”
Though the Kindness Club initiative officially started in 2019, it was an idea that began in the 8th grade, she said.
“Its purpose is to encourage students to focus on positive thoughts and actions. It is meant to ensure that all students feel included, safe, and encouraged to be their own unique self!” said Wofford.
In 2020, a formal club was started but limited activities were allowed due to COVID restrictions, though, Hayes and Wofford helped raise funds to pay for custom positive reminder posters hung at Cherryville schools in 2020 and 2021. These kindness posters, that are hung in our local schools help to remind students to be kind to one another and to love themselves.
A very small 10-member club in 2020 raised additional funds and participated in additional local volunteer work for our community and school. Also, Ms. Wofford has also painted murals at Cherryville High School to promote kindness messages.
Said Wofford, “Mr. Shawn Hubers, who is currently the CHS principal, was previously the Cherryville Elementary principal. He helped choose appropriate posters and quotes in the school. Currently, Mrs. Audrey Hovis, Principal, has additionally worked with me to pull through the kindness poster/program initiative for the 2021 school year.
“Mr. Todd Dellinger, Principal at WBBI, and Mr. Timmy Fleming, assistant teacher, also worked with this initiative for their students to display these posters in their school.”
All the projects have been planned and cleared with Principals Hubers, Dellinger and Hovis, as Wofford and Hayes wanted to make sure the chosen messages were appropriate and relevant to each school.
Landrie said this year’s CHS Kindness Club is led by Mr. Robert Webb, a teacher at CHS.
“He has done an amazing job planning and encouraging students to be part of this important club!” she said, adding. “This year, over 150 students have signed up for the Club!”
Kindness Club Vice President, Payton Cook will be carrying the initiative forward after Landrie graduates and the club will have grade level sponsors to ensure all students are involved. Also, each month, all members of the club will have monthly activities to help remind others to choose kindness through one kind act at a time in our schools and community.
Some examples will be community clean-up, teacher/staff appreciation week, random act of kindness activities, can food drives, volunteer work and spreading positivity by encouraging positive messages in our community events.
Wofford noted, “At the beginning of school, several members of the club made freshmen welcome 'goodie bags’ to remind students that they are never alone, and that they are special and accepted. The club’s wish is to raise additional money for kindness posters at our schools and our local sports complexes.”
Landrie continued, “The mission of the Kindness Club is to make a difference through random acts of kindness….one student at a time. I know each person in the club will do an amazing job working together. I am so glad to have so many people be part of this club. It is a group effort for sure, and it isn’t about me.
“If one student can feel better about themselves and spread kindness to another person, then all these efforts are worth it! I know we can make a difference as a team!”
Wofford added, “None of this would be possible without the support from our school’s principals: Mr. Hubers, Mr. Dellinger, and Mrs. Hovis and Mr. Webb, who is our amazing advisor and leader. Also, many other people in our community have supported this club and helped in so many ways. Everything that has happened is because of many kind leaders who truly care for students and want every student to feel safe and included!”
Landrie’s parents, Jason and Danielle Wofford, said of their daughter’s work with the Kindness Club, “We are very proud of Landrie for founding this club and then starting the official 'Kindness Club’ with Ben. They both worked many many months preparing for this initiative and club.
“She spoke about this idea and wanted to paint murals when she was in the eighth grade. She has always noticed peers that were left out and this is how it began. We are most proud that she realizes that every idea or action is because of the efforts of many people who care. At the end of the day, this is what is important to us as her parents, and we are beyond proud of her and the efforts of all members of the club!”

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

W. Blaine Beam Intermediate Principal Todd Dellinger is still a man on a mission. He has some students he wants to recognize for their hard work and he is once again looking for sponsors for WBBI’s Student of the Month program.
Dellinger has sent out requests to the Cherryville Chamber of Commerce and to various local businesses asking for said sponsors to come to their rescue, if you will.
Said Mr. Dellinger recently, “A student in each class in each cohort is recognized with a treat bag including a $5 McDonalds gift card for a current total of eight students each month.
“We would like a sponsor each month from now through next June. We will recognize the sponsor on our school sign and in our messaging to parents. We are suggesting a $30 to $50 donation be made.”
Due to the COVID-19 situation and its negative impact of the school systems and the local economy, Dellinger, like many of his peers, are still unable to do much in the way of fundraising, adding that being able to get sponsors now would really help them put some smiles on their student’s faces.
In a brief interview, Mr. Dellinger elaborated, “In the past, as I’ve noted, we have been able to really count on fundraisers for those extra dollars, but we can’t do that like we want to, which is why I initially reached out to the Chamber of Commerce.”
“These recognitions are to help inspire the students to work at a good level,” he said. “We had done some recognitions like this in the past. We don’t have everything we need right now to recognize our kids and we want to do more. The kids also have behavior incentives as well as academic incentives to achieve in order to become a Student of the Month.”
Dellinger wanted to say a word of thanks to Mrs. Kim Beam, who works on getting the students the recognitions they deserve.
“She works very hard at this, as does all our staff. It’s so important at this time to keep our students and staff safe, so we can’t, as I said earlier, do the fundraisers as before. These monthly sponsorships go a long way to help,” he noted.
Dellinger continued, “I was very touched by those who have so far given. We have made plaques for all the businesses that have so far donated. We’ve had an incredible response so far. For that, W. Blaine Beam’s students and staff want to express our deepest gratitude!”
Mr. Dellinger said for those who wish to give or sponsor, they can contact him at (704) 836-9114, or email him at rtdellinger@gaston.k12.nc.us, or they can mail donations to W. Blaine Beam Intermediate at 401 E. First St., Cherryville, NC, 28021.

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Donna Lockett, Executive Director, Gaston Together: Communities of Excellence noted in a recent media release, they are in the process of requesting nominations for their 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Awards.
Locket said, via the media release, “The Gaston Clergy & Citizens Coalition (GC3), an initiative of Gaston Together, will present the 2022 Gaston Together MLK Unity Awards on Monday, Jan. 17, the MLK national holiday,” adding the details for the event “…are pending based on current coronavirus guidelines.”
Lockett also noted GT’s MLK Unity Award was established in 2004 by the GC3,
to  recognize “…current or former Gaston
County citizens who have performed exemplary community service to help build bridges of unity across lines of race, class, gender, faith and/or among municipalities within our county.” Names of the honorees are engraved on the MLK Monument located at the MLK Plaza, she said, adding that the Plaza is at the corner of Long Avenue and MLK Way in downtown Gastonia.
Locket said past winners include various notable community members such as Senator Marshall Rauch, N. A. Smith, Mildred Sadler, the 1964 Gastonia Human Relations Committee, Rev. Houston Matthews, Danny Jackson, Sam Shoukry and Richard and Lucy Penegar, just to name a few.
To get the nomination form and award criteria, contact Gaston Together at llee@gastontogether.org.
The completed nomination forms must be received no later than 5 p.m., on Nov. 1, 2021.
“The selection committee composed of former MLK Unity Award Honorees will determine the 2022 recipients,” said Ms. Lockett. “The award recipients will be notified in mid-late December.”
The media release also noted the GC3 is a county-wide, non-denominational ministerial association formed in the late 1990’s by Gaston Together. The group meets on the second Thursday of each month at 9 a.m., normally at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, Gastonia, or virtually, pending coronavirus guidelines.
For more information, please call Gaston Together at (704) 867-9869.
Founded in 1997, the Gaston Together mission is to create a Community of Excellence by bringing people and resources of Gaston County together to address big community challenges.
Said Lockett, “Implementation of the purpose is achieved through the principles and best practices of collaboration,
facilitation, promotion and the anticipation of possibilities. Current focus areas are Community Pride Building programs, Faith-Based Leadership, Civic Engagement Leadership, Creating a Culture of Wellness, and Gaston Vision 2040.”
She continued, “Mr. Jason Austell is serving as the 2021 Board Chair.”

Meghann Sneed one of 14 nominated for school administration program

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

John Chavis Middle School teacher, Meghann Britton Sneed, is one of 14 Gaston County Schools’ finest to be nominated to the Superintendent’s Leadership Academy.
Sneed, 30, is a 7th-grade Math and Science teacher at the Cherryville middle school and has been a teacher for five years, she said, having first taught for three years at Belmont Central Elementary School before coming to Chavis. She said she is “happy to have been nominated” and is looking forward to growing and going forward as an education professional.
Mrs. Sneed comes from a family of educators as her mother and father both teach in Cherryville school: her mom, Lara Britton, is a current 5th-grade teacher at W.B. Blaine Beam Intermediate and her father, Jeff Britton, has worked for Gaston County schools for several years.
Meghann noted, “My dad is currently is a Pre-Kindergarten Assistant at Cherryville Elementary, and husband, Josh Sneed is an EC Assistant at W.B. Beam Intermediate as well.”
She and her husband have been married for almost four years now, she said, adding, “We have a 2-year-old little boy, Jude. We also have a pug, Karl. We love to take walks in our neighborhood and be outside.”
Additionally, Mrs. Sneed said her grandmother, Penny Buff, is a retired high school English teacher who taught at Bessemer City High School for a number of years.
Sneed noted she was informed of the nomination to the Leadership Academy via a letter from Dr. Melissa Wilson Balknight, Associate Superintendent of Academic Services of Gaston County Schools.
In that letter, Dr. Balknight stated GCS “…looks forward to having (Sneed) among the 14 teachers who will complete the master’s degree program in school administration through Gardner-Webb University. Furthermore, we anticipate having you prepared to be an administrator in our school district within the next two years.”
The school system told Sneed they were very impressed with her credentials and achievements in education as well as her eagerness to become a school administrator in the county.
The letter to Mrs. Sneed closed with these words, “We are confident that this
See JCMS, Page 10
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 quality program will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and preparation necessary to serve as an effective administrator and educational leader for Gaston County Schools.”
Sneed noted that with the scholarship, which is essentially what this is, she noted, both Gardner-Webb University and Gaston County Schools will be covering the amount of her tuition for the full 20 months.
“This averages out to $20,000 per person,” she said. “I will only be responsible for the cost of my books, which will be about $200 per semester.”
Sneed is a 2009 CHS grad who attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, graduating from there in 2014.
“I earned my bachelor’s degree in Statistics with a minor in English. I worked in the corporate world for a few years and decided to go back to school to become a teacher.”
She noted her classes for the master’s “…will not take time away from (her) teaching at Chavis for now. Classes will be online a few nights a week with a few Saturdays in person per semester.”
As for what she wants this graduate degree to do for her, so far as your advancing in your chosen field and what Gaston County Schools expects from her in return, she had this to say, “I would love for one day to become an Assistant Principal and possibly a Principal in the future. As a participant, Gaston County Schools requires a commitment of five years with GCS after the program.”
John Chavis Middle School Principal Matt W. Rikard said of Meghann and her nomination to the Leadership Academy, “Mrs. Sneed is a leader in her class and I feel confident that she will excel in this new journey. As she steps out of her classroom, I feel confident that she will grow into a phenomenal leader in the building at JCMS and for Gaston County.”

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville’s HomeTown Direct Care has a new physician on staff in the person of Dr. Brianna Buchanan, DO.
The Nebraska native, a Board-certified Family Physician, came on staff at Dr. Thomas R. White’s Direct Care clinic, located at 301 East Main St., this summer, Dr. White noted.
In a media release sent out by Dr. White’s office, Dr. Buchanan’s medical interests are “…in patients of all ages,” adding she “…has a special passion and expertise in women’s health.”
Said Dr. White, “We now have three physicians at HomeTown Direct Care. Dr. Josh Carpenter joined us in 2017 and he is primarily in the Shelby office.”
He continued, “I feel incredibly fortunate that Dr. Buchanan made the decision to join us. She will be in the Cherryville office. She is incredibly well trained, bright, personable, and community-minded. Patients are going to love her. She is exactly the kind of physician I would choose for myself and my family.”
Doctor Buchanan noted that although she was originally interested in becoming a graphic artist, she had a greater interest in biology, and thanks to her brother, Dr. Josh Knott, who is an Emergency Medicine physician, she made the decision to go into medicine and has never looked back.
Her father, Paul Knott, is the senior pastor of Hastings Berean Bible Church, she said, and mom, Betty, is a Preschool teacher’s assistant. She has, in addition to her brother, Josh, three other siblings: sister, Tiffanie Ediger, and brothers: Jason, and Caleb Knott.
Said Dr. Buchanan, “All my siblings are older and we are about two to three years apart in age.”
Doctor Buchanan graduated from Adams Central High School in 2008 where she was involved in cross country, track, and chorus.
Doctor Buchanan said she heard about Campbell University through researching medical schools in the local area while working her first job out of college in Greenville, S.C., doing medical research with the Surgery Department.
“At Campbell, they treated me well and cared for me as a person, not just a test score,” she said.
While at Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Buchanan said she “…initially considered Internal Medicine,” but is glad she chose the specialty of Family medicine.
“In the end as it is a better fit for me,” she said, adding, “I am thankful for my DO training. I did my internship and residency through Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Harnett Health. It was a dual MD/DO accredited program.”
Direct Primary Care, the model that Dr. White’s HomeTown Direct Care is based off of, is, said Dr. Buchanan, “…an innovative alternative to insurance-driven medicine with a low monthly membership fee that gives patients more time with their doctor and access to their doctor at their fingertips.”
She continued, “I heard about this model in residency when a woman who did this spoke to my residency group. She said it ‘saved her career’ and I wanted to preserve my career and not have to save it. After meeting Dr. Carpenter and Dr. White, I realized it was possible for me to do. I believe it is a better model for patients and doctors to receive the best possible primary care through increased time and access of patients to their doctor.”
Doctor Buchanan is married, she said. “My husband’s name is Logan. We do not have any children. He is a Marketing manager.” She lists as her hobbies, in addition to her art, she also loves travel, outdoor adventure, and singing and playing the guitar.
As for her aforementioned ‘passion for women’s health’, Dr. Buchanan said, “I want to serve the women of this community through prevention, wellness, and treatment. For a woman to be well and be at her best, I feel self-care is so important and part of that is having a good team including a physician readily available to her.”
To learn more about Dr. Buchanan and HomeTown Direct Care, and to schedule a “get acquainted” visit, either call (704) 435-1100, or contact them through their website at www.hometowndirectcare.com.

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville City Council’s Monday, Sept. 13, meeting’s agenda was – at least according to the Mayor and City Manager – one of the largest, so far as topics to be covered, they have had in a while.
In the 24 or so agenda itemized topics, Council took care of a couple of Planning and Zoning issues, recognized a number of City employees, adopted minutes from earlier meetings, recognized the World Series Dixie Girls Softball team, the Angels, revised the City’s COVID-19 policy, read a couple of proclamations, and approved various listed agenda items.
The Council immediately voted on and approved the minutes of previous meetings, after which, Mayor Beam’s comments on the City’s 20th 911 Remembrance Ceremony and CFD vehicle push-in event, in which he thanked Mayor Pro-Tem and Councilwoman Jill Parker-Puett for standing in for him, were made.
There were no citizens to be heard so Council moved to recognize the 2021 Dixie Girls Angels All-Stars softball team and their coaches for winning the Dixie Girls World Series for their age group in South Carolina. The resolution noted the Angels were only one of three teams representing N.C. at the Moncks Corner, S.C., DGSB World Series in July of this year. The little ladies went 4-0 and won the double elimination tournament while playing teams from S.C., Georgia, and Florida, said Mayor Beam.
Mayor Beam recognized with a proclamation, that the week of Sept. 17-23, was Constitution Week. He presented the proclamation to representatives of the Tryon Resolves Chapter of the DAR. He asked the citizens of Cherryville to “…reaffirm the ideals of the Framers of the Constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties, remembering that lost rights may never be regained.”
Then the Council recognized City employee Nelson “Ned” Yates for his five years of service to the City, followed by Fire Capt. Nathan Bowman being recognized for being the Western NC Association of Firefighter’s
Fire Officer of the Year, which was presented to him by NCAFF President Todd McMurray.
Mayor Beam and the Council then recognized The Cherryville Police Department and the Cherryville Fire Department for their Certificate of Safety Achievement Awards from the NCDOL. Captain Brian Doolittle accepted the CPD’s First Year Silver Award Certificate from Mayor Beam and Capt. Chris “Pudge” Cash accepted the CFD’s Ninth Consecutive Year Award, also from the NCDOL, from Mayor Beam.
Cherryville Financial Director Dixie Wall was recognized next and accepted her Public Power Rising Star Award from Mayor Beam.
Though originally hired as the Finance Director, Mayor Beam noted how Dixie “…quickly assumed the responsibility of Administrative Utility Director,” adding that she is, “a role model, a strong advocate of ‘hometown power’, and has improved the City’s electric system by implementing (the Advanced Metering Infrastructure) technology that will be helpful for the citizens.”
He noted how fortunate the City is to have someone like Dixie looking out for their interests.
Dixie thanked everyone and said, “I can’t do what I do without the help of all the department heads, City Manager Jeff Cash, and the City staff.”
Mr. Cash said, “Dixie is great at her job! She takes on multiple roles within the city. Her education and skill set are a blessing to our organization. She and her staff are very dedicated to serving our citizens at the highest levels! Our organization is fortunate to have Mrs. Wall as a department head. She is a great leader and innovator, always improving service deliver to our citizens!”
Mayor Beam read a proclamation noting the week of Oct. 3-9, as Fire Prevention Week in Cherryville, with the slogan for Cherryville’s citizens to “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.” He also proclaimed that same week as NC Public Power Week.
Council then held Public Hearings on zoning changes. These were brough to Council by P&Z Director Derrick Mackey. After some discussion, Council unanimously approved the zoning change and the amending of the text of a zoning ordinance for a Single Family Cluster to be used under a Special Use Permit.
Council then recognized the City’s Water Treatment Plant and its Director, Patty Hall, for the AWOP Award. Cherryville is one of 64 NC cities to receive the award.
Said Mayor Beam, “We are very proud of Patty and the Water Plant staff for making sure our City has clean water.”
Council also approved a revised COVID-19 policy, approved ARPF (American Rescue Plan Funds) for a wastewater generator, and heard the updated information on insurance coverage for volunteers who work on City property, with the caveat that Council doesn’t have to vote just yet on this issue.
The City Council’s work session will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 28, at the Fire Department’s training room at 5:30 p.m.

Big unit in its new home, ready to go to work for the City

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The push-in ceremony for the Cherryville Fire Department’s new truck, a.k.a. Engine 73, took place immediately after the City’s 911 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 10.
Mayor Pro-Tem and City Councilwoman Jill Parker-Puett welcomed the small crowd that walked over to the fire department’s bays, and after a prayer by Fire Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Vince Hefner, Driver/Engineer Colby Heffner gave a recitation of the history of the new truck.
The need for, and purchase of, the truck began, noted D/E Heffner, in December 2019 when Chief Cash appointed a committee to be chaired by Capt. Chris
“Pudge” Cash, with Capt. Kurt Black chairing the equipment portion of the same committee. It was rounded out, noted Heffner, by other fulltime and volunteer staff as well as contract service and maintenance tech, Mr. Chris Poole.
Captain Chris Cash said the cost of the vehicle was $598,907, and the amount was approved by the City in last year’s budget.
Throughout a series of meetings and exhibits attended in order to gain more knowledge about what they needed in a new fire vehicle it was eventually decided that the one design that caught everyone’s attention was a design by long-time fire equipment manufacturer Pierce Manufacturing; in particular the beautiful Pierce Enforcer.
Said Heffner, “The primary focus of the committee was to find which manufacturers provide the safest apparatus for our firefighters.” He also noted the committee also found out at during a trip to the Concord, NC, fire department, that they were in the process of purchasing new apparatus from Pierce, and that CFD was allowed to “piggyback” onto their order, thereby saving time and “a great amount of money” with CFD’s order.
Heffner noted that with the help of Mr. Frank Suggs, of Atlantic Emergency Solutions, an authorized dealer for Pierce, who flew the CFD committee folks up to Appleton, Wis., for a couple of planning sessions and a final inspection and punch list session, all was ready for the unit to be delivered. That delivery, said Heffner, came on Aug. 24, 2021 when the bright red vehicle arrived at its new home at Cherryville’s station house, ready to be tricked out with equipment. That job was done, Heffner was proud to point out by CFD’s own crew.
Heffner, reading from hi notes, said, “This piece of equipment will offer exceptional value to our firefighters, community, and citizens. Our firefighters now have an apparatus that is dependable with up-to-date safety features which have been enhanced since our last pumper was ordered 21 years ago. Our community and citizens will benefit from the modern equipment that make fighting fire more effective as well as the time-saving advantages.”
Heffner closed by adding Cherryville and its citizens can all be assured and certain, “…that for the past two years our truck committee diligently researched and considered all facets (of the issue) to give our department and our community what we needed at the most affordable price possible.”
Captain Chris Cash made the vehicle “official” by performing the “In Service” radio call with the county, Rev. Hefner closed with a prayer, and the big unit was pushed into the bay, its new home, ready to go to work for the City of Cherryville.
 

Centenarian celebrated her birthday in
grand style with family and friends

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

When it comes to one of life’s major milestones, no one can argue that turning 100 years old is right up there with the best of them. And while it seems that lately many folks are reaching that one century of life mark, it is still no mean feat and is a great blessing to be able to say you have reached that august mark.
For Carolina Care and Rehabilitation Center resident Mrs. Vera Sellers Eaker, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug. 22, 2021 at Cherryville’s First United Methodist Church, she is a member of a very elite club, those centenarians who have weathered life’s slings and arrows and other challenges and come out triumphant.
Vera Sellers is one of 10 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Junious Grady Sellers. There were eight girls and two boys.
“J.G” (born June 25, 1889), as he was more affectionately known, married the fetching Augustus Cleo Sellers, who was born Dec. 30, 1894. He was born in Cleveland County and she was born in Gaston County. J.G. passed away in 1960 and his beloved Cleo passed in 1974. One child, a little girl named Barbara Genette Sellers, was born Feb. 27, 1918 and passed in May of that same year. The remaining Sellers children: Marvin Sylvanis, Benjamin Sterling, Edith Lillian, Bertha Margaret, Ella Aline, Ophelia Deloria, Doris Augustus, and Shirley Sue, all married and had children and grandchildren of their own. Of the nine children, Vera and her sister, Shirley Sue remain to tell their kids and grandkids all the great family stories that are collected over a century of life.
Mrs. Vera went to Tryon School, said her son, Danny, and daughter, Pam Anthony. Pam said her mother graduated April 18, 1939, and was known in her high school’s Senior Superlatives recognitions as having The Prettiest Hair; being the Best Dressed; and being The Friendliest.
“Mom worked at Rose’s Dime Store (in Cherryville),” said Pam, and married a handsome soldier named Alonzo Allen Eaker on Dec. 27, 1942. America had been at war with the Japanese and Germany a little over a year when the two lovebirds were married.
From this union came two children; son, Danny Eaker (wife, Judy); and daughter, Pam Anthony (husband, Ron); four grandchildren, Allen Eaker (wife, Lisa), Valerie Keefe (husband, Dwayne); Heidi Anthony Cash (husband, Chad); and Wes Anthony (wife, Angie); and six grandchildren: Noah, Katie, and Sarah Eaker; Alex and Allie Anthony; and Austin Keefe. The Keefe’s live and work as missionaries in Australia while the other grandchildren live, go to school, or work in NC.
Mr. Eaker, an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran, passed away on Sept. 7, 1996, and not a day goes by that Pam and Danny said their mother doesn’t think about him.
“He was the love of her life. They were inseparable,” said Pam.
Pam noted her mother was named “Woman of the Year” on June 23, 1993, by the Cherryville Charity League.
“Mom loves her church,” said Pam and Danny, who added she grew up attending Mary’s Grove Methodist Church, but later became a member of Cherryville’s First United Methodist Church, joining in 1951.
Said Pam, “She has been a member there for 70 years, and has been involved in the church. She belonged to the Mae Harrelson Sunday School Class, the Florene Styles Class-June Medlin Class, and has belonged to the Vera Eaker Circle, which was named after her and of which she was Chairman for many years.”
Mrs. Eaker was also in the Dora Mill Woman’s Club and was President of it. She worked at the Dora Mill for 40 years, noted Mrs. Anthony, who added Vera also belonged to the Cherryville Senior Citizen’s Club.
“She belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star 156 in Cherryville and was a charter member of that organization,” said Pam.
Danny and Pam both though spoke with great pride of one of their mother’s greatest accomplishments: her ceramics works.
“She has been making them since 1957 and has given many of them away as gifts to many friends and relatives,” said Danny.
“Yes,” agreed Pam, who added, “She also quilted, did decoupage, and crafted purses and pocketbooks for many.”
Pam and Danny also noted Vera’s longtime friends were Preston and Betty Melton, with whom she went on many trips together.
At her birthday party, attended by many, her family and many friends all sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Not to be outdone, she blew them all kisses, thanking them all for coming and helping her celebrate a century of a life well lived for God, her family, and her community!

City staff asks
everyone be patient during this process

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Construction work on the City’s sewer lines is still on-going, said City Manager Jeff Cash recently, even though it appeared the workers had left. “They were only tidying up for the weekend,” noted Mr. Cash last Friday afternoon, adding, “This is an 18- to 24-month project, from start to finish, and it will continue, depending on the weather and materials, until the project is finished. They are moving along well.”
Last week, the Cherryville’s Paul Czerr and his company were seen doing some work over on Mountain St. in front of the old BB&T building, but Public Works Director Brandon Abernathy said they (Czerr Construction) were “…helping City Staff to install a by-pass line in Mountain
Street due to a reduction in work force due to a COVID exposure. He was not working on the Downtown Revitalization.”
As for that larger project, Mr. Abernathy said, “The Main Street Revitalization Project is now under way. Staff has contractors working on water and sewer utilities right now but will progress to downtown improvements as soon as the utility projects are complete.”
The overall work right now is being done, said Abernathy, by two contractors.
“There are two contractors working right now. CaJenn, which is a Collection System Contractor from Georgia, and Sealand Construction, which will be working on the Water Distribution and Downtown Improvements. Both companies are not local but have worked locally on several projects for other communities,” said Brandon.
Abernathy noted the Water and Sewer Infrastructure Improvements are the “…first part of the Downtown project, then it will move to Main Street Streetscape Improvements.”
Mr. Abernathy said some problems have been observed, but such is to be expected when dealing with the age of Cherryville’s pipes and such.
“There have been several issues that have had to be addressed but it is expected when you are replacing infrastructure that is as old as Main Street,” he said, “There will be more issues as the projects move forward. We just ask that everyone be patient during this process.”

Principal’s vision for the two areas coming together but they’re not yet where he wants them

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Now that John Chavis Middle School Principal Matt Rikard and his staff are back at the business of teaching students, he wanted to revisit a project that is near and dear to the head Wolverine’s heart – their newly redone courtyards.
In a recent Eagle article Rikard and crew talked about the state of each of
the two courtyards – dubbed (for obvious reasons) The Big Courtyard and The Little Courtyard.
Their disrepair and sad overgrown state was not only a minor eyesore that could be fixed, he thought, but once finished, the two refurbished spaces would be great places (especially with certain aspects and issues of the pandemic still ongoing) for the JCMS students to possibly eat lunch, providing they could find a way to get the right tables, or maybe a great place to sit outside (weather permitting) and study. And, just so you know up front, Matt Rikard is not a man easily dissuaded or one to shrug his shoulders and take “not sure we can get this done” for an answer when it comes to, well… getting things done!
So guess what he did? He went out and found a way to get things done and now JCMS Wolverine Country has a couple of sharp looking places to study in, maybe eat in, or sit and talk with their teachers. The sky, when it comes to Rikard’s vision for these things, is the proverbial limit. But he still needs help in the way of donations to get the right tables and other items needed to REALLY spruce things up!
The Eagle talked with Mr. Rikard by way of a follow-up to see just what all has been done and where things currently stand, and what is left to be done and what can make that happen for JCMS.
Here’s what he had to say…
From start to finish, Matt said the actual work on the courtyard took about two weeks. The planning stages took a while longer.
Aside from his and others’ own sweat equity, he said, “It was a partnership with Gaston County Schools. GCS had project managers, contractors, and gentlemen from maintenance that were here every day overseeing the work.”
As for donations or “angel investors”, Rikard noted, “We have received a few donations towards the seating (tables). I have not approached (any angel investors) personally, but have had community members say that they will talk to (some).”
Regarding dollar amount projections for what all is needed, as well as what you hope to try and get. Rikard said, “We would like to purchase between 12 to 25 metal picnic tables, like what are located in downtown Cherryville. The metal tables cost around $600 each. The reason for the metal is that they will be more durable, and we can sanitize them between usage. We plan to use the areas as outdoor learning areas, as well as an expansion to our cafeteria so that we can help maintain our social distancing.”
As for everyone’s reaction, Mr. Rikard said, “They (teachers, staff and students) have loved the transformation. They are excited about what the spaces will be used for once the seating is in place.”
Donations are still needed and wanted, and  Mr. Rikard said to contact him at John Chavis Middle School at (704) 836-9606.

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

On Monday, Aug. 23, as many thousands of Gaston County School students and their teachers were enjoying their first day back to school, Todd Hagans, Chief Communications Officer for Gaston County Schools noted the school superintendent was doing the same.
In a recent media release, Hagans said, “Superintendent of Schools Dr. W. Jeffrey Booker spent the first day (Monday, Aug. 23) stopping by schools to greet students and staff.  He started at W.A. Bess Elementary in Gastonia where he talked to several teachers, observed students settling into first- and second-grade classrooms, and welcomed a group of kindergarteners to school for the very first time. By lunchtime, Booker had visited seven schools.”
Said Dr. Booker, “It was great seeing the students arrive at school this morning. Everyone was positive and upbeat and ready to begin a brand-new school year. We know that we will face challenges this year because the pandemic is ongoing, but our hope is that this school year will be as normal as possible for students and teachers.”
He continued, “The first day of school is a time when the slate is wiped clean, and everyone gets a fresh start. Our teachers are prepared to help students build on what they learned and accomplished last year, and they are going to do everything they can to make sure our students grow and thrive in the year ahead.”
Hagans noted Dr. Booker said he wanted to thank the teachers and parents for all
they have done to prepare Gaston School students for that al-important ‘first day of school’.
“We like to say that opening day is the most exciting day of the academic year, and we saw a lot of excitement and enthusiasm (that) morning that we hope will carry all the way through to the last day of school on June 1, 2022” said Dr. Booker.
Hagans said it is Booker’s goal to visit all 56 schools in the Gaston County school district during the first two weeks of school.
 

Bret Morey: “Our 2021 on-line sales will exceed $1.8 million”

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Asked to describe their most recent move and expansion for their ever-growing hot sauce business at the ribbon cutting on Friday, Aug. 20, former Cherryville resident and Gaston County entrepreneur, Bret Morey, said simply, “We are blessed beyond measure!”
And he is not kidding, as he described how their small, seven-person business started out with him, son, Elijah, and one or two sauce cooking pans out of their own home kitchen and burgeoned into what it is now: a large Gaston County-based company that markets its own Elijah’s Extreme Ghost Pepper sauce, as well as a whole family of other flavorful sauces, across the nation and the world.
Their growth has caused them to move twice in the last year, Bret said.
“For an old marketing guy like me, keeping up with the latest trends and how to reach folks, the world is a different place. Marketing today is unbelievable, complicated and yet extremely rewarding as long as you understand what to do and how to leverage it.
“I had dabbled in social media to the best of my ability and had some success. However, Elijah took a full-on approach. Being tuned-in to trends, social media platforms and what’s most popular and where the best audience can be found for our products and learning how to leverage that is no small task.
“Elijah began taking over all the marketing while still in college. We agreed on a budget that began as a daily spend for ads and he began to craft content, pictures, headlines, create and edit his own videos, adding music and even voice overs. Then
would test each to see what was working best. This took hours and hours of time; the net result was more folks seeing our brand, more folks buying from our website, grocery and other stores and of course Amazon. As sales began to increase so did the need to invest more to continue that reach.”
Bret noted after Elijah graduated college he began digging deeper into understanding the social media platforms, creating more and more content, understanding how to best shape the audiences, engagements and demographics, learning what was working and what was not.
“He built on the successes and learned from the failures,” he said. “I always told him you learn from the mistakes so you know what not to do later, and it makes you better. Finding out what doesn’t work is just as important as what does.”
Morey said the result – by May 2020 – was they saw sales like it was Christmas time, and knew they needed more space than our garage to manage our accelerated growth.
He continued, “We found a 2,500-square foot warehouse space in Ranlo in an old mill, cleaned it up, painted it and made it our home. Business shot up over 400 percent! We moved in Aug. 1 2020 and quickly got set up with our packing table from the garage and adding two more. By November, we saw our sale trend up fast! By December, we (Elijah, myself and our one employee, Juan) were packing 500-600 orders a day! We had to have the post office come pick up from us three times a day, each time filling their van. And here I was thinking managing 100-plus orders a day would be a lot!”
Morey said a great deal of that carried over into 2021, and they added another packing table, now with four (tables), they realized the 2,500-sq. ft. space was not big enough. By March they barely had space to move around with the need to have more inventory on-hand to pack and ship quickly, we needed more space. They found a bigger, 6,000-sq. ft. warehouse with a small office area that was a perfect fit for them, he said.
“Just like before, we cleaned and painted and up-fit the whole space to be our own, 'home away from home’. Adding four more packing tables, (now with 8) and hiring four more people (three for packing and shipping and one to help Elijah with marketing). We moved in June 1, got setup in a weekend and only 10 months after our first move out of the garage. We have been extremely blessed! Our focus, as soon as we got moved, is on our fourth quarter sales and our Christmas selling season,” he said.
Elijah’s savvy social media marketing, (with help now), working with influencers, creating more content and growing our reach, Bret said their products have been seen by over 12.5 million folks in just the last 90 days alone – and growing.
“We now have hundreds of recipes using our sauces now on our own Pintrest page and website with step-by-step videos as well. Elijah has also created a weekly recipe news letter, 'Cookin’ it up with Elijah’s Xtreme’, only in its fifth week and already reaching 5,000 who signed up to get it. There’s no magic, just a lot of hard work creating content daily, testing ads, then growing the ones working,” he said, adding the results are exponential growth with sales rocketing up 400 percent-plus over 2020’s numbers.
“Elijah’s Xtreme brand is now reaching millions of folks and building a broader base. The best part is we’re seeing an average of 22 percent repeat customer orders. And as that continues, in 4 years we’ll sell as much to repeat customers as to new ones!”
(Morey noted their on-line sales will exceed $1.8 million for 2021 and their total gross sales on overall channels is $2.5-2.9 million – he added, “Just think, our sales for 2019 was $298,000. God is good!”
When asked what was next in the grand scheme for Elijah’s X-Treme, Morey replied, “We knew when we leased the new warehouse we’d outgrow it in less than two years, so we got a shorter lease agreement. Our ultimate goal is we’re already working toward buying land and building our own 30,000-40,000 sq. ft. office warehouse by 2023. Also, adding in another 1,000 to 2,000 grocery stores by 2023, and increasing our on-line sales to surpass our Amazon sales (2021 Amazon online sales alone is over $1.2 million!).
Additionally, Bret noted how just about a month ago Elijah got their two of their best-selling products launched on Walmart.com, which will take time to build over the next year or two.
“We got a request for us to add our products to a wholesale site called Faire. They sell to brick-and-mortar stores across the U.S., in Canada, and to Europe,” he said, adding, “We launched this about three months ago and have already sold into Canada, Italy, and Scotland. Plus a couple dozen shops in the USA with at least three that have re-ordered.”
There is so much more to tell about their new products on the horizon (a 5-pack gift set/box, out just in time for Christmas; the launch of their Xtreme Regret Reserve (an even hotter hot sauce than their hottest to date); re-working their Tangy Fire BBQ-Marinade into a Beer-Bacon and Fire BBQ-Marinade; and lastly, a mild green sauce to finish out their line of mild sauces, to be simply called,  'Elijah’s’.
The duo and their company wanted to be close to home, and they are naturally all about community and hometown, so being close to other local businesses was important in their location decisions.
“We want to support other local small business and this was another way to do that,” said Bret.
They currently we have four business channels: On-line Amazon, our website, Walmart.com, and ebay. They also sell via Speciality Wholesale – wholesale distributors like Bass Pro and Cabela’s nationwide; UNFI and KeHE Distributors (wholesale to grocery); where they’re currently located in 1,000 (i.e. Ingles, Winn-Dixie, Fresco Y Mas, Harveys and a few other smaller chains); and distributors, such as Blue Mountain (one they have grown with almost from the start. They wholesale to Ingles, tons of “mom and pop’s” in three states.
And coming soon is Elijah’s Xtreme Vending, said Bret.
“It will be fully loaded with all our hot sauces and gift boxes! To land somewhere in either Concord Mills, or the outlet mall off Steel Creek Rd. Then if that goes as planned, we’ll be creating a business model to franchise the vending machine as a stand-alone business!”
In addition to CEO Bret and CMO Elijah, there are five more employees and they’ll be hiring three more soon.
“There are Faith (marketing support, works on product recipe creation); Gabby (marketing support); Juan (packing and shipping supervisor); packers Philip and Melody; and my wife, Monique, our support and advocate, but she’s not so much involved with the day-to-day aspects of the business.”
Lastly, Bret noted they are grateful for all the support, and are humbled and blessed by their growth!
Said Bret, “The comments from folks on social media and other places are so amazing!. It’s wild for us to see how so many folks love our sauces that much! Business is growing, our base is becoming bigger, more folks are becoming aware of our brand and it’s allowing us to support our business, the community, and employee others! As Elijah put the other day, he said, 'Dad, I’m so thankful I get to do what I want every day. I love it and love growing our business!' We’re excited to see what’s yet ahead in this next chapter of our story, which is God’s story, for His glory!”
To learn more about Elijah’s X-Treme, visit www.elijahsXtreme.com., or email Bret at bm3Xtreme@gmail.com.

Sensory Room/ Calming Castle
brainchild of Eagle Scout Wyatt Wilson

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

On Monday, Aug. 9, a very special room was dedicated at Cherryville Elementary School. It has a two-fold goal; one, to remember a very special person and teacher, Ms. Nicole Boyer; and two, to help children with special needs have a room where they can come and sit or play and relax or otherwise explore learning
avenues that involve reaching out and exploring things on s sensory level.
New Cherryville Principal Mrs. Audrey Hovis, said she a 2021 graduate from Cherryville High School, Wyatt Wilson, complete his Eagle Scout project at the school this summer.
Said Mrs. Hovis, “He completed this project in memory of his previous teacher, Nicole Boyer, who passed away of cancer several years ago.”
Wilson is a freshman band student who plans to major in English at Western Carolina University, and hopes to become a teacher one day, she said. His mother, Tammy, is also the school psychologist.
A small group of around 10 or so gathered around 10 a.m., that Monday, including the school’s former Principal, Mr. Shawn Hubers, who transferred to Cherryville High School. Mrs. Hovis, transferred to serve as Principal of Cherryville Elementary School in June. She was most recently the Principal at Holbrook Middle School, she said.
Eagle Scout (Troop 323) Wyatt Wilson said the Sensory Room/Calming Castle was possible thanks to the help and support he received from his parents and family; his friends and fellow Scouts and Scout leaders; and others who saw the project as something whose time had come.
He and his Scout friends, who worked with him on the project, put in many hours, he said. Those who came and helped were: Ethan Carpenter, Ben Hayes, Jackson Childers, JT Willis, and the Sherrills, Ethan, Kevin, and Colin.
Said Wilson, “The Sensory Room area at Cherryville Elementary School, known as the ‘Calming Castle,’ has a purpose and that is to benefit the Exceptional Children’s Department at the elementary school.
“This room will serve as a place where children with autism, ADHD, and various other mental or behavioral impairments can be soothed and calmed by sensory tasks. The room holds numerous sensory tasks like the body-hugging swing and pea pod, the ‘mermaid’ fabric wall, and the sensory table.
“This room is dedicated to the late Miss Nicole Boyer who served as a teacher at Cherryville Elementary School – she was actually my first and third grade teacher.”
Wyatt noted the project began at the end of July and was actually completed in one day. Much of the material was ordered from Amazon with many of the tools coming from Cherryville’s own Ferguson’s ACE Hardware store, he added.
At the event, Wilson said he wanted to thank all who came and to thank all the donors.
Said Wilson, “We had seven Scouts who worked very hard on this project with me, and it was unheard of that we finished an Eagle project in one day!”
There is a plaque dedicated to Ms. Boyer, and Lori Hughes noted, “This room is a great part of her legacy. I think she would approve. Nicole would be speechless. The kids are going to love it!”
Mrs. Hovis said, “I’m excited! It is an amazing addition for our students. They can now have a calming place to come to.”
She also noted the students, when they come, will have an adult with them at all times, adding that, to her knowledge, this school having the room is a ‘first’, so far as she has ever seen or heard about.
Former Cherryville Elementary Principal Shawn Hubers looked around, clearly impressed when he came into the room.
Said Mr. Hubers, “Ms. Boyer was a terrific teacher, and she meant a lot to Cherryville Elementary. Wyatt’s project is a beautiful tribute to Ms. Boyer and the sensory room is a great addition to Cherryville Elementary.”

Principal wants to beautify student’s
outdoor learning areas

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Chavis Middle School Principal Matt Rikard and others have been hard at work to redo and remake two on-campus gardens beautiful and useful again for his students.
When asked about the work, Rikard said, “The courtyard areas were in rough shape when I was appointed principal this past school year. Through working with Gaston County Schools and talking with students and teachers, the idea of converting them to outdoor classrooms and outdoor eating areas seemed like the best use for the space. Increasing usable space within the building is a great idea any time, but seems especially important given the circumstances that everyone has been dealing with over the past year.”
Rikard said a few big changes will take place with the gardens, hopefully before school starts.
Here’s a bit of what he has in mind, noting, “The smaller of the courtyards will be converted to all concrete. We hope to add tables where students can hold class and eat lunch in an outside setting. The larger of the courtyards will be leveled and rocks will be added. We would also like to add seating to this area as well to serve as outdoor classrooms and outdoor eating areas.
“Our goal is for the larger courtyard  to  also  contain two greenhouses for students to grow plants and study the life cycles. We also plan to use the flowers that are grown throughout the school as a beautification project.”
As far as asking for donations for the projects, Mr. Rikard said, “First, we would like to thank Gaston County Schools for helping JCMS take on such a wonderful project. We feel that these areas will benefit students now, and for years to come.
“With that being said, the next step is to attain the seating that is needed. The seating needs to be sustainable, and cleanable.”
He continued, “Our goal is to eventually purchase 15 to 20 metal picnic tables, much like the ones that are used throughout downtown Main Street. We have two fundraisers planned for this year, but donations would be greatly appreciated.”
He added that if anyone would be willing to help them purchase the seating for their students, checks can be made to JCMS and sent to the school to the attention of Financial Manager, Ms. Carla Steele.
Said Rikard, “Anyone who donates will be  recognized in some manner, such as a plaque in the areas listing the names of donors. If anyone would choose rather not to be recognized, please let us know. Personally, I would like to thank everyone in advance who are thinking of donating. This is a project that will directly impact our students’ education, and safety – by providing outdoor areas to gather. It is a true honor to serve as Principal at JCMS, and we look forward to being able to share the finished project with the people of Cherryville!”
Principal Rikard noted that once everything is placed or set up they would love to have an open house to showcase the finished areas.
“However,” he cautioned, “that would depend on safety protocols that we are following at the time. If an open house is not allowed to view the areas, we will have a virtual tour that will be shared for everyone to see.”

School gets first win in Gaston County’s reading contest

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville High School’s Mrs. Nancy C. Olls is proud of the school’s “Battle of the Books” reading team, of which she is the sponsor.
Olls, the School Library Media Coordinator and System’s Operator/Teacher, noted her small team bested the team from Highland School of Technology back in April 2021, taking home Gaston County Schools’ “High School Battle of the Books” gleaming silver trophy.
The Ironmen team, which consists of members Macy Bridges, Harley LaRoche, Bailey Dugan, Destany Fritzler, and Luca Bredin, has been in existence for three years, said Olls.
“We’ve competed twice and were ready to compete last year but were sidelined by COVID-19,” she said, adding that Macy Bridges “…is a founding member of the team.”
Olls noted the students read 16 books throughout the year and competed in April of this year, “…on a county-wide Quiz Bowl type of competition.”
She continued, “(The) Battle of the Books was created and is run by the N.C. School Library Media Association. This year, CHS was victorious and the students received medals for their work!”
Olls said the plan is to house the trophy in the library until next year’s competition.
The team is not without their support in this endeavor, noted Mrs. Olls, who continued, “The CHS Education Foundation supports us each year with the purchase of the books on the ‘battle’ list, subscription to a practice site, and transportation to the competition.”

Asst. Fire Chief Wofford promoted to Fire Chief effective Jan. 2, 2022

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

According to a media release from City Manager/Fire Chief Jeff Cash, he has announced his retirement as Fire Chief and City Manager effective Jan. 1, 2022, and the promotion of Assistant Fire Chief Jason Wofford to Fire Chief effective Jan. 2, 2022.
For four decades Chief Cash has served the City of Cherryville, beginning his career at the Cherryville Fire Department in December of 1981. He was promoted to Fire Chief in 1984, and then promoted to City Manager/Fire Chief in 2018.
In the media release, it is noted Chief Cash, “…has given the City of Cherryville exceptional service for 40 years. He will leave behind a legacy of growing this department in all capacities such as personnel, equipment, apparatus, call volume, training, and lowering their ISO rating to a Level 2.
“During his tenure as City Manager, he has done a remarkable job of leading the City of Cherryville into projects that promote overall growth, updating critical infrastructure, and creating a stronger workforce.”
Assistant Fire Chief Wofford, noted the media release, “…began his career with the Cherryville Fire Department in February of 1989 as a Junior Firefighter, (then was) hired full-time in 1993 as a Driver/Engineer, promoted to Captain/Fire Marshal in 1998, and to Assistant Fire Chief in 2010.”
AFC Wofford holds the following certifications: Firefighter I & II, Hazardous Materials Level I, Driver Operator, ERT, EVD, Fire and Life Safety Educator I, II, III, Fire Investigator Technician, Fire Officer I, II, Instructor I, RT Ropes, RT VMR, Chief 101, Fire Inspector Level I, II, and III, and various other leadership courses.
The vacancies left by Chief Cash’s retirement and the promotion of Assistant Chief Wofford will be addressed internally through the Cherryville Fire Department.

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Monday’s July 12 regular Council session was a relatively short meeting and concerned itself primarily with recognition of City employees and staff.
Before that took place though, Council voted on and approved the City Council meeting minutes of the Jun 14, regular session and the June 29, work session.
Following that, Mayor H.L. Beam, III noted in his comments to the Council that he and City Manager Jeff Cash met with CaroMont officials on June 17, regarding locating a medical office in Cherryville; attended the International Express ribbon cutting (also last month), and commented on how spectacular the town’s 2021 Independence Day Celebration was.
“City Manager Cash received a letter from an 81-year-old individual who lives out of town commenting on just how awesome Cherryville’s fireworks display was. She had never seen our display before and was very impressed with, she said. It is just one of many similar comments we have received on the celebration from those who came,” said Mayor Beam.
Beam also commented on the 2021 N.C. Dixie Youth Softball Tournament Cherryville hosted this past weekend, adding, “There were over 1,000 people in attendance just for the opening ceremony (at Rudisill Stadium last week). I want to thank the Cherryville churches who took part in helping feed the many teams and their families who are attending the tournament.” The tournament ended Tuesday, July 13.
Mayor Beam said he has been informed three Cherryville teams have advanced and will be going on to play in Louisiana and South Carolina.
Four City of Cherryville police officers: Derek Thom, Vince Burleson, Lt. Brandon Parker, Jessica Richardson, and Skylar Sisk were all recognized by the Council on the recommendation of Chief of Police Cam Jenks. One City employee, Trevor Haynes, was recognized for five years of service to the City of Cherryville.
Both Officer Thom’s and Burleson’s Certificates of Commendation noted their “Providing exceptional service with compassion” in the performance of their duties as the both “…responded to a call involving a citizen that was having medical problems due to their medication.” Chief Jenks noted both officers “…showed compassion and excellent service while ensuring the citizen received the correct care needed.” He went on to say, “The family of the citizen also wished to express gratitude for their compassion and willingness to go the extra mile.”
Patrol Officer Richardson’s Exceptional Duty Award was given at the behest of Chief Jenks, the Mayor and Council, and City Manager Cash for her going above and beyond the call of duty for “…providing service with compassion, along with prompt and alert actions at the scene of a house fire located at 1430 E. Main St.” resulting in rescuing the family’s pet from the fire on June 11.
Chief Jenks and the Mayor, City Council, and Mr. Cash recognized Lt. Brandon Parker and Patrol Officer Skylar Sisk with Meritorious Service Awards due to their going above and beyond the call of duty for “…providing prompt and alert actions” resulting in locating a missing non-verbal teen after an extensive search and rescue operation performed on April 28, in conjunction with another law enforcement agency.
Additionally, Mayor Beam noted that City Finance Director Dixie wall was given special recognition by Electricities, receiving their Rising Star Award. Mrs. Wall was nominated, he said, by City Manager Cash.
Next up on the agenda was Council’s approval of Stan Bumgarner to serve on the Cherryville Architectural Review Board. Mr. Bumgarner was nominated by CMSP Chairwoman Donna Beringer to fill the open position vacated due to the former individual not living in the local area, as per the new bylaws. Mr. Bumgarner will serve in the open seat until Dec. 31, of this year.
The item of consideration of the conditional use permit regarding the property at 1444 W. Academy Street, to be discussed by Planning and Zoning Director Derrick Mackey was postponed until the next regular Council session on Aug. 9.
Under “other business” the Council discussed alcohol sales on Main Street, with City Manager Cash noting such sales have to be “…five to six feet back from the road”; Downtown Director David Day noted the City’s new web site has been launched, and lastly, Councilman Freeman commented on the condition of the sidewalks on West Academy Street, saying they were “…in bad shape.” He asked if there was any money in the budget to fix them and City Manager Cash noted there was some Powell Bill money and that staff would look into getting them fixed as soon as possible.
With nothing further to be discussed, Council adjourned.

Firm is located in the Carolina Intermodal Business Park

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville, once the home of one of the world’s largest trucking firms – Carolina Freight – was able to once again have another large trucking firm inside its city limits.
City and Chamber officials welcomed Mr. Howard Shope and International Express to Cherryville on Wednesday, June 23, with a ribbon cutting at their 1201 E. Church Street location.
International Express Trucking (IET) formed in 2001, according to a Power Point presentation Mr. Shope used to introduce all who came to the ribbon cutting and BBQ luncheon, to the growing company. International Express now has, he noted, counting their new Cherryville hub, five locations in five cities: Atlanta, GA; Lincolnton, NC; Gastonia, NC; Charlotte, NC; and Cherryville.
Shope noted their company has grown over the years to include, “…warehousing, distribution, repackaging, product sorting, and transportation services.”
After the prayer and blessing of the food by City Manager/Fire Chief Jeff Cash, Chamber Board Chairman Pete Craft welcomed Mr. Shope and his staff and employees to Cherryville, adding that the company’s location to the site of the old CF company acreage, brought back, “…many memories.”
Mayor  H.L.  Beam, III, agreed, adding, when it was his turn to speak, “This is my second trip down here. You all have really made the place look nice.” He, like many other Cherryville folks and former Carolina Freight employees present at the event, also noted that the company appeared to be busy, and “on the go!”
Mayor Beam continued, “It’s great to have your company here and great to see our town bringing in new businesses and people and watching the town grow!”
The trucking firm is located in what is called the Carolina Intermodal Business Park, and once complete, Mr. Shope noted its 72-plus acres of asphalt will have 300,000 square feet of space, allowing them to “…offer increased storage capacity and secure truck, trailer, and Ocean Container parking.” The site will also offer 24-hour security and “…cost-effective storage options for our customers,” he added.
Gaston County Commissioner for Cherryville Township Allen Fraley looked around and said, “This is exciting. It brings back a lot of memories. A lot of memories! I was a supervisor on this dock. It was a humming place then; 24/7/365! It was an amazing place to work and it is again! It will happen!”
State Representative Kelly Hastings (R-NC 110) noted it was an honor for him to be at the ribbon cutting. He spoke about all the highway work presently being done and how that will help businesses like IET and others who need better access to the major highways in and around Gaston and Cleveland Counties, and towns like Cherryville, Shelby, Dallas, and Lincolnton.
Mr. Shope, a Gaston County native and IET’s President and CEO, also welcomed everyone to their ribbon cutting and BBQ, and for offering them such great community support.
“As many of you here today know, everything comes to us via the trucking industry. We are an asset-base carrier, that is, we own our own trucks and equipment and properties,” he said. “Just about everything I know about entrepreneurship I learned from an 11th grade textbook on business given to me by my friend and a former North Gaston teacher, Randy Sellars. God has blessed us and it has grown from our original start to where we are today. We are now all over, and are very pleased to be in a community that loves transportation!”
Shope spoke about IET being able to offer what he termed a “level of technology” which will enable their customers to “…track, trace and monitor” shipments online by way of a “customer dashboard.”
The company, he noted, has “…almost 600,000 square feet of clean, well-lit and secure storage space” in their warehouses, with eco-friendly lighting and with CCTV monitoring and motion sensors.
“Additionally,” said Mr. Shope, “we will begin to explore adding a Free Trade Zone certification to the site in Cherryville. If we can make that happen, we feel it will allow us to offer additional services that should attract more businesses to the area. I am very happy with Cherryville, and the warm welcome we have received. The mayor and citizens of Cherryville, have offered us a very business friendly environment and that is very important to me as a business owner. We also want to thank Chief Cam Jenks and the Cherryville Police Department for being out here today and helping us with traffic control.”
He noted he and his wife Michelle are very thankful for that.
Shope concluded his talk by telling the crowd, “We are going to move to the future! By our employees help and hard work, this will be done; is being done.
For more information on IET and what they do or can do for your business, contact Mr. Shope via email at hshope@intexpr.com, or call them at (704) 424-5454, ext. 1200.

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The Cherryville Fire Department conducted their second controlled burn to clear land on the corner of North Cherry and East Church Streets on Saturday, June 26.
This time it was the building originally known as the Southeastern Savings and Loan, and later, as the Black Law Office Building. Chief Jeff Cash said the fire crews started around 7 a.m., adding, “We wrapped it up around 3 p.m. There wasn’t as much wind that day and the weather cooperated with us. Everything went well. There  were  no  problems associated with the burn. Everything worked according to plan.”
The first burn by the CFD was the old El Patron Mexican Restaurant located on the corner of Cherry and E. Church right next door to the old bank building/law office. That building went down without any problems, Chief Cash noted.
Assistant Fire Chief Jason Wofford noted the building’s brick walls fell in onto the burning structure, leaving pretty much nothing but the footprint of the building. AC Wofford added that once things cool off, the areas of the burns will be cleaned off at a later date, with whatever is left over of the debris being removed.
Chief Cash said there were only two other fire units on-scene at this most recent burn.
“The departments involved besides Cherryville were Waco and Howards Creek,” he said. “There were approximately 35 firefighters involved between all departments.”
Chief Cash also noted that, as far as these burns being used to help with some training for the Independence Day Celebration’s fireworks, “This training had nothing to do with our mutual aid departments. However, they will be standing by with brush trucks during our operations. The departments standing by will be Waco and Hugh’s Pond.”
Regarding the proposed CaroMont medical offices being built on the soon-to-be-cleared land on the corner, City Manager/Fire Chief Cash said, “The plans have not been finalized for the CaroMont facility, but they plan to start construction sometime in August.”

 

Chamber says some sponsorship
opportunities still available

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

It has officially been a year now since Cherryville had their famous Independence Day Celebration thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.
This year’s festival promises to be different and more along the lines of what some are calling “normal”, or at least as normal as things can get.
In his letter dated June 15, City Manager and Fire Chief Jeff Cash once again let the town’s downtown merchants be aware that this year the city is hosting their Independence Celebration on Friday, July 2, 2021.
As Chief Cash said in his letter, “It will be an
event for the entire community. We will offer fun, food and fellowship, including music by ‘Too Much Sylvia’.”
He continued, “Please make plans to bring your family and friends to help us celebrate,” adding for folks to “…Please bring your yard chair,” and that “…Fireworks will begin at approximately 10 p.m., weather permitting.”
Chief Cash said he and his crew will begin setting up in the mini-park early Friday morning, July 2, adding that if they or their customers utilize this area as a parking area, then to please make everyone aware in advance that the parking lot will be closed for event set up.
Said Chief Cash, “Our plans are to block Main Street beginning around 2 p.m., on that Friday,” and to only block Main Street between Houser Drug
and Oak Street.”
He continued, “We wanted to make you aware of this well in advance for your planning purposes. The back alley along the railroad will be blocked near the downtown mini-park for the stage. Your customers and employees will need to utilize parking other than the mini-park on Friday, July 2. We will also utilize the parking lot beside the Cherryville Chamber of Commerce.”
Chief Cash noted that this year’s blasts will be somewhat less than those of old due to tariffs placed on the fireworks from China (some as much as 30 percent, he noted) as well as tariffs incurred due to the shutdown of traffic through the Panama Canal.
Chief Cash said, “We are looking forward to this year’s show.” He added he wants to thank everyone in advance for their cooperation, patience, and flexibility as the town prepares to host this special community event, and also to remind folks the area is a tobacco-free area all during the festival and show and that also no dogs are allowed as well.
“If anyone has any questions, please let me know by calling either (704) 435-1730, or calling my office at Cherryville City Hall at (704) 435-1711.
“Please mark your calendar and come join us as we celebrate our Independence Celebration on
Friday, July 2, 2021,” he said.
Cherryville Chamber President Mary Beth Tackett also reminded businesses and individuals, they still have the following remaining sponsorships for the Independence Day Celebration: the Main Stage Sponsorship, at $750, and General Sponsorships, at $100 apiece.
Tackett and the Chamber, as well as the city staff, have all been working hard to bring this much-loved festival back from its year-long hiatus.
She said, “We’re exceptionally excited about this year’s celebration since it is the first event that we have been able to host since COVID-19 hit us! This has become one of the best attended events in the area, and we’re excited to oblige those who always ask us to ‘make it bigger’.”
Tackett continued, “As always, we’ll have quite an assortment of music, dancing for all ages, inflatables,
face painting, and all the fun food you can eat!”
However, the caveat, she added, is that such very special events such as the Independence Day Celebration are expensive promotions.
“The City of Cherryville and the Cherryville Chamber of Commerce underwrite most of the expenses associated with these events,” said Mrs. Tackett, “but additional funds are needed. Thus, sponsorships are made available each year to help cover these overruns. So, if you’d like to get your company’s name before an estimated crowd of 10,000 or more people this year, we suggest you contact us right away to take advantage of the sponsorship opportunities.
Just call them at (704) 435-3451, or stop by the Chamber office at 220 East Main St., to promote your business.

AC Wofford: Cost of the defib units
was $11,114.79

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The Cherryville Fire Department was recently the recipient of a generous anonymous donation to purchase small, Lifepak 1000 heart defibrillators for use on their units.
Assistant Fire Chief Jason Wofford said the donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, noted via email that the defib units cost $11,114.79, to be precise.
“Five of the Lifepak 1000 units were purchased to replace five of the six we currently had,” said AC Wofford, adding, “To minimize cost we only replaced five units and these five are sufficient for our apparatus.”
AC Wofford said the bright yellow units purchased are the Stryker brand and they are compatible with what the Paramedics use for Gaston Emergency Medical Services and are the same as those currently in use all over Gaston County.
As for who all on the CFD staff knows how to use the units, he also noted, “All of our fulltime staff are trained and more than half our volunteer staff, who are certified EMT’s, are trained to use this equipment.”
Regarding other material or equipment the department is still in need of AC Wofford said, “Fortunately, over the past couple years we have replaced all needed equipment. We will always have the yearly replacement of turnout gear and various hoses and appliances. This is always absorbed within budget.”
City Manager and Fire Chief Jeff Cash said of the donated defibs, “We are extremely grateful for this unexpected donation. This was a grave concern of the department to replace our defibrillation units as they were obsolete and could not be repaired if they were to become inoperable. The fire department has done an excellent job to keep equipment in good working condition, but we never know when brands will discontinue certain items, lending them to become obsolete.”

Director Curry said the total cost for the work was $42,354.14

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Things look brighter these days inside of Cherryville Area Ministries as a result of generous giving and donations that helped get new lighting fixtures and ceiling work done.
The reason for the work needing to be done had to do with their ceiling collapsing due to water damage from water getting between the roof and the ceiling.
Simply put, the work “had to get done,” said Ministries Director Sherry Curry, who added that through a very generous $15,000 grant from the Carrie E. and Lena V. Glenn Foundation, along with a $5,000 indoor grant CAM applied for through the City of Cherryville’s Chamber of Commerce, the work did indeed get done.
That job took from April 12, 2021, when they closed for work to begin, until May 7, 2021, when it was completed so the store could open back up on May 10.
Said Ms. Curry, “We applied for the indoor grant through the City of Cherryville Chamber of Commerce and were approved for $5,000 to go to this project, and the rest of the money needed to get the project completed was given to us through churches, individuals and businesses.”
Curry noted the total cost for the construction and lighting installations was $ 42,354.14.
As for the grant. Curry noted, “We applied for the grant back before COVID hit and were approved during COVID, making it harder for us to meet the deadline to have the project done. We usually are able to get projects done through our regular
monetary contributions from the community, our fundraisers and the store sales. However, due to COVID we did not have our yearly fundraisers and our store was shut down for three months due to COVID.”
She continued, “When we opened back up, we had to follow the CDC guidelines for everyone’s safety, causing our customer base to be low and the store sales to not be nearly as high as they used to be. The Board of Directors spoke at churches and sent out letters letting people know we were ready to do the project and had to meet a deadline. We contacted the Glen Foundation and we did get an extension for June, which was a great help.”
Curry said through all the community support and after a long four weeks, they were able to meet the deadline of the grant and complete the ceiling and lighting project.
Curry said the Board, and she and her fellow CAM workers, staff, and volunteers wanted to say a huge “Thank You”, which she stressed “…needs to go out to our community, the Glen Foundation, the City of Cherryville, Bradshaw Flooring and Acoustical, Inc., and Wise Electric for all their hard work helping us get this project completed in a timely manner.”
Curry also wanted to thank her fellow employees and staff and volunteers for all the hard work and patience they had while everything was going on to get the work done and get ready to open things back up.
Sherry said the general consensus on the ceiling and lighting project is that everyone is pleased with it.
“It is a project that was much needed,” she said. As for the work environment being brighter, store manager Barbara Decker said, “With this recent project and past renovations, the store has become a more enjoyable and welcoming place to shop.”
In addition to Ms. Curry and Decker, other CAM employees are Dale “Sgt. Dale” Towns, who has been with CAM, he said, for more than 10 years; Lisa Hill; Erlene Howard; Diane Beebe; Jenny Smith; and Liz Guiton.

 

(From Gaston County Schools: Valedictorian and Salutatorian Information – The senior with the highest weighted grade point average (GPA) is selected valedictorian, and the senior with the second-highest weighted GPA is chosen salutatorian.)

GASTONIA – In a media release from the Gaston County Schools’ communication office, it is noted that Gaston County Schools had 22 students in the Class of 2021 who achieved the top academic distinction of valedictorian or salutatorian. Additionally, one senior in the Class of 2021 has earned the distinction of 13 years of perfect attendance.
“We are very proud to recognize 22 graduating seniors in the Class of 2021 as our valedictorians and salutatorians for Gaston County Schools,” said Superintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey Booker.  “These outstanding students have maintained an impressive academic record during their high school career. They also have been excellent leaders and role models at school and in the community. We are extremely confident that these high-achieving students will continue to be successful in everything they choose to do.”
For Cherryville High School, the Valedictorian was Chase Dylan McNeill. His college plans are to attend UNC – Chapel Hill to major in history, and he plans to pursue a law degree.
His accolades are: Gaston County Schools/Gaston Gazette Star Student; Dwight H. Harrelson Memorial Scholarship; and Cherryville High School Male Scholastic Athlete of the Year.
The Salutatorian was Noah Richard Abernethy. His college plans are to attend UNC – Chapel Hill to major in business with plans to pursue a career in a business-related field.
His accolades are: the Albert G. Myers Scholarship, Cherryville High School Academic Booster Club Scholarship, and the Alaina Abernathy Memorial Scholarship.
The valedictorians and salutatorians for the remaining 10 high schools are as follows:
Ashbrook High School – Valedictorian: Asma Patel; Salutatorian: Rachel Lowry.
Bessemer City High School – Valedictorian: Sophia Jewel Foster. Salutatorian: Aleczandria Grace Stinnett.
Stuart W. Cramer High School – Valedictorian:  Margaret Kimbirl. Salutatorian: Layton Miller.  
East Gaston High School – Valedictorian: Caleb Stephen Burr. Salutatorian: Bianca Azra Rushing.
Forestview High School – Valedictorian: Sophie Annice Martin. Salutatorian: Joshua Abraham Gluck.
Gaston Early College High School – Valedictorian:  Genevieve Roberta Starr. Salutatorian: Kenneth Khai Nguyen.
Highland School of Technology – Valedictorian:  Madelyn Grace Van Meter. Salutatorian: Ann McKinney Russell.
 Hunter Huss High School – Valedictorian:  Ailysa Lee. Salutatorian: Laurynn Thomas.          
North Gaston High School – Valedictorian:  Kaitlyn Covey Bice. Salutatorian: Georgia Olivia Queen.
South Point High School – Valedictorian: Sydney Lester. Salutatorian: Grace Nehring.
Perfect Attendance Information
Each year, the Board of Education honors graduating seniors who achieve perfect attendance for either 12 years or 13 years. One senior in the Gaston County Schools Class of 2021 earned 13 years of perfect attendance for her entire school career (kindergarten through 12th grade).
Payton Danielle Love of Ashbrook High School achieved 13 years of perfect attendance. She plans to attend North Carolina A&T State University to major in nursing. She received a perfect attendance plaque from the Gaston County Board of Education in recognition of her outstanding accomplishment.

Community gets a chance to talk with and thank those men and women who daily serve and protect them

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

The Cherryville Police Appreciation Day to Honor CPD, sponsored by the Cherryville Main Street Program, was held on Thursday, May 20, at the Cherryville Mini Park.
Police Chief Cam Jenks and other CPD officers and staff were on hand to ‘Meet and Greet’ citizens from 4 to 6 p.m. They had some small prizes and gifts with them as well to hand out to the kids.
One of those prizes was a booklet titles, “Connecting the Pieces to Stop the Violence”, which is a 32-page booklet dealing with such timely issues for youth today such as conflict and its resolution, anger issues, bullying, self-esteem, ‘sexting’, dating violence, stalking, gangs, hate crimes, suicide, and weapons in school.
In a previous media release, it was noted the event was held so “Cherryville citizens, young and old,” could come by and “get to know and thank Cherryville police
Chief Cam Jenks and several CPD officers at a Meet and Greet in the Mini Park.”
Downtown Director David Day noted also in the release that, “The event (commemorated) Cherryville Police Appreciation Day as part of the nationwide celebrations in May honoring law enforcement officers.”
“Our police officers put it all on the line every day for our citizens,” said City Manager Jeff Cash. “This is a chance to drop by and say thank you.”
Mr. Cash continued, “And, we want to always keep a close bond between our officers and our citizens. This is a great way to do it.”
Mr. Day was equally enthusiastic, and said, “We’re encouraging and hosting this as a chance to ‘Meet Your Officers.’”
Police Chief Cam Jenks, who said earlier that he and his officers and staff were “…really looking forward to visiting with familiar faces and meeting new members of the community” that they serve noted they had a good-sized crowd and that the ‘Meet & Greet’ went well.
Chief Jenks also added for those who would like a copy of the previously mentioned booklet, to call the CCPD office at (704) 435-1717 and ask how to get a copy.

Cherryville icon ardent proponent in getting ABC store built

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville’s ABC Board building and store was officially named in honor and memory of its first store manager, the late Terry R. Fisher, on Thursday, May 20, in a well-attended ceremony.
City Council members, Mayor H.L. Beam, III, and City staff, along with current ABC store General Manager and Gaston County Commissioner, Allen R. Fraley, members of the ABC Board and the
Cherryville Little Theater, all joined with members of Mr. Fisher’s family for the emotional event.
Mayor Beam, who noted he spent many years with “Fish”, as he was affectionately known by his friends, recited many humorous anecdotes about the man who was a Cherryville icon and an ardent proponent for getting the ABC building built in Cherryville.
“I loved 'Fish’,” said Mayor Beam. “He was one of the smartest men you ever knew. I learned early on you didn’t play Trivial Pursuit with him!” Beam mentioned that Terry was a U.S. Navy veteran, and how the two of them connected  back up at college. He also recounted how Terry, who was on the Board of the Cherryville Little Theater, talked him into not only getting involved with the theater, but into taking on a role in one of its early plays.
“One of Terry’s favorite sayings was (when talking about things that were – or should be – obvious), 'Well, H.L., everybody knows that!'” said Beam. Mayor Beam read a resolution of dedication to the crowd, then presented a copy to Terry’s widow, Janet Fisher, and a copy also to Commissioner Fraley.
In brief, the dedication noted how Fisher was instrumental in getting voter sing-up sheets to call for a referendum for alcohol sales in Cherryville; how he served as the store’s first manager from May 18, 1982 until his retirement on Dec. 31, 2014, whereupon he took the position of Budget and Finance Manager of the ABC store on Feb. 1, 2015 until his untimely death in February 2020.
As Mayor Beam read, he brought out that, in addition to all that he did for the ABC store, he served in his church, the Cherryville Chamber of Commerce and The Cherryville Little Theater “for many years,” serving with “…dedication and involvement” to make the store as profitable as it is today.
“He generously gave of his time to assist others,” said Beam.
It was noted also that Councilman Malcolm Parker originally submitted the request to name the ABC building after Mr. Fisher.
ABC Board Chairman James R. Beam and Board members Tim Moss, Gail Jenkins, and Commissioner Fraley were present, and Mr. James R. Beam noted that in September 2020 the Board voted to name the building. Mr. Beam read a letter from Miles Davis, the NC ABC President which noted how Terry will be remembered for his hard work and kindness.
Janet Fisher talked about the wonderful memories she had with Terry, noting that she and his children, Carol Atkins and Becca Fisher, as well as the grandchildren, Megan Batchler and Thea Teague, miss him still.
“I have great memories of him. We appreciate this so much!” she said. Terry’s sister, Debbie Peeler was there as well, and was glad to see the naming of the ABC store in his memory come to pass.
Commissioner Allen Fraley spoke, saying, “I want to thank the City Council and the ABC Board for this. It was a well deserved honor to do this. From all of us here, all the employees, there is not a day that goes by that we don’t think of him. Terry trained me and he became a friend.”
Former City Councilman Ron Hovis noted of his late friend, “You know, Terry trained for four months to learn this system, and he took no pay for it whatsoever.”
ABC Board member Tim Moss presented a $25,000 check to Mayor Beam on behalf of the ABC Board, then said of his late friend and fellow worker at Houser Drug, “All of us here have fond memories of 'Fish’.”
Moss also noted that the ABC Board has, to date (from Sept. 14, 1982 until now) given a total of $937,486.36 to the City of Cherryville as their part of the profits from the store’s sales.
“This store,” said Moss, “has raised a lot of money for the betterment of this community. It’s like Terry said once, 'This ABC store is not here to bring liquor into the city’ but to help control what comes in and is sold. 'ABC’ stands for Alcohol Being Controlled.”

Names historical museum building for long-time volunteer, tireless worker, Mrs. Barbara Yount “Bobbie” Rudisill

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

At their Monday, May 10 regular session, Cherryville City Council honored former Mayor Robert D. “Bob” Austell; issued proclamations for National Poppy Day and National Police Memorial Week; and approved a date (June 14, 2021) for a public hearing on the proposed 2021-2022 City budget.
Robert D. “Bob” Austell, who served five terms, or 10 years, as mayor of Cherryville (2004 to 2014), was presented with the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine at the start of the meeting. Mr. Austell had many family members and friends present who arrived early for a brief get-together prior to his being given the award.
“Bob is my mentor,” Mayor H.L. Beam, III, said of the former mayor at the reception before the Award’s actual presentation. “We are very proud of Bob, and are very honored he has been chosen for this Award.”
Mayor Beam referenced four letters written to nominate Mr. Austell, and then talked about what august company the former mayor was in, in reference to the Long Leaf Pine Award, citing such names as Michael Jordan, Andy Griffith, the Rev. Billy Graham, and a host of others. The letters were written by Mayor Beam, City Manager and Fire Chief Jeff Cash, Certified Municipal City Clerk Paige H. Green, and former EDC Director Richard Randall, who is now
the Existing Industry Manager for the Gaston County Economic Development Commission.
“The awards started in 1964 after being established in 1963,” said Mayor Beam. “We sent the letters to the state in November 2020, and are happy to be presenting this to him today.”
With Mr. Austell was his wife, Caryl and daughters, Teesie Smith, Elizabeth Shuford, and Kim Crane. Their daughter, Amy, who lives in Texas, was unable to get in for the presentation.
Next up for the Council was the National Poppy Day proclamation, read by City Councilwoman Jill Parker-Puett, who is also with the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 100. The proclamation designates May 28, as National Poppy Day to honor America’s fallen military men and women. Mrs. Puett presented the proclamation to the members and representatives, young and old alike, who came to the meeting. They were: Nancy Rudisill; Jean Skibo; Debbie Harris; Jill Puett; Monica Lockwood; Tammy Snider; Irene White; Claire Harris – Aux. President; and Lynette Christensen.
The next proclamation Mayor Beam read was for National Police Memorial Week, which was accepted on behalf of the Cherryville Police Department by Lt. Brandon Parker. It proclaims the week of May 9 through the 15, as the memorial week for the police.
After hearing there were no citizens to be heard either in-person or by call-in, Council moved on to hearing from Planning and Zoning Board Director, Derrick Mackey, about the proposed rezoning of four parcels at or near 1444 W. Academy St., in Cherryville, for possible apartment units. They then voted to go into a public hearing on the matter.
Planning and Zoning Board Director Mackey said the request from their Board was for Council to approve the zoning change from MC and R-9 to RMF (residential multi-family) zoning, which was submitted by Mr. Denis Blackburne, Senior Vice President of Development for Woda Companies, of Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Blackburn was present at the meeting in case Council members had any questions for him.
Mr. Mackey noted the Cherryville P&Z Board voted 6-1 to rezone the parcels.
After discussing the issue and going out of public meeting, Council approved the zoning, saying it was consistent with the City’s Land Use Plan, which was adopted August 2012, and that the proposed rezoning’s are reasonable and are in the public interest.
Also discussed was the City’s golf cart ordinance with its new language and amendments, which was adopted Feb. 23, 2021, and became effective on that date. Mayor Beam noted the one change is that language that notes, “Golf carts are prohibited from towing or pulling any items behind them while in operation on any roadway.”
The Council also approved and adopted, by vote, a resolution to set aside funds for future roof replacement costs for the Cherryville ABC store. These costs are estimated to exceed $40,000.
The Council also considered and voted on a resolution to reimburse itself for early project expenditures from the proceeds of the voter-approved bonds, as well as considering and voting on aa resolution regarding capital projects for the downtown water and sewer bonds.
The Council also considered and voted on setting a date for a public hearing on the proposed 2021-2022 budget as well as hearing other business; namely considering and voting on renaming the Cherryville Historical Museum after the late Mrs. Barbara “Bobbie” Yount Rudisill, who has spent countless hours giving of her time, efforts, and selfless service on behalf of the museum.
In his application for naming or renaming public buildings, Councilman Parker noted that the late Mrs. Rudisill, “…has spent countless hours working at the museum and has contributed so much to Cherryville, with her time and service.” The proposed name of the facility/memorial is to be the “Barbara Yount Rudisill Memorial Building, home of the Cherryville Historical Museum.” The naming of the building was approved by all on the Council.
In closing out the meeting, City Manager Cash said he expects the selling of the bonds to “close in June”, adding that the City has a “AA minus” Standard & Poore rating. Mr. Cash also said, in answer to a question from Council about the upcoming Fourth Festival that the City will have it on July 2, from 6 to 10 p.m. He noted the festival is “a go”, and said the band will be “Too Much Sylvia”.
The next Council session will be their work session of May 25, at the Cherryville Fire Department, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Two thousand petunias to sprout this spring and summer

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville’s Downtown Director David Day, said recently in a media release, with the planting of 2,000 colorful petunias, the City’s Main Street area “…is looking brighter.”
And it absolutely is as on May Day, Saturday, May 1, more than 20 local volunteers began planting the first of 2,000 pink or white petunias which will beautify Main Street and nearby areas this spring and summer. Rounding out the effort, the Heritage Park will also bloom with spring and summer color, noted Mr. Day.
He continued, “These flowers are going to be gorgeous. This is our first of what we hope will be many spring plantings. Our City’s slogan is 'Where Life Blossoms’ and we’re adding life to it!”
While Day clarified the Main Street Project group is focusing this year on what he termed, “ground-level planting,” next year, said Day, “After the new streetscape is in, we’ll also add hanging baskets and planters,” adding that the flowers now planted “…will bloom until the construction on the planned new streetscape begins in the early fall.”
According to Steve Panton, part-time marketing director for the city, “These particular petunias were chosen because they are so hardy and need very little pruning. Also, cities across the country with climates similar to ours often plant this variety.”
Day noted one of the keys to making this year’s planting so successful was the effort from so many Cherryville citizens and merchants.
“Our volunteers were great,” he said.
David cited the role played by Upchurch’s Nursey, which grew the flowers from seeds, by noting, “These flowers are all literally homegrown. They cost us significantly less than if we had imported them from a supplier.”
Chairperson of the Main Street program Donna Beringer was one of the many volunteers planting the flowers. She was equally enthusiastic about the planting of the flowers.
“This a great day for our community,” said Beringer, who also added, “We’re focused on making downtown Cherryville a destination. Having gorgeous flowers is just part of the magic we hope to create.”

Federal judge rejects Cherokee’s lawsuit, paving way for casino to move forward

by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info

In a recent media release to Community First Media, the Catawba Nation announced it plans to fast-track the summer 2021 opening of the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort project in Kings Mountain.
Calling the opening a “pre-launch”, their plan calls for the facility to have 500 slot machines.
On April 16, the Catawba Nation received more good news when a federal ruling favored the U.S. Department of the Interior’s action in taking land into trust for the Catawba Nation, rejecting a lawsuit by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee.
That decision was given last week by U.S. District Court Judge  James  E.  Boasberg in a 50-plus page opinion sent out to the media from the Catawba Nation.
Judge Boasberg concluded, as per the media release, that the Department of the Interior “…did not violate the Settlement Act or INGRA (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act)” when it took the Kings Mountain land parcel into trust.
In response to the action, Catawba Chief William “Bill” Harris said, in part, “This is the right decision and the one we anticipated from the court to reject the litigation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.”
As for the pre-launch facility, it will be constructed using prefabricated modular structures, and will provide an initial opportunity for patrons to game with limited food and beverages and other guest amenities.
In an earlier CF Media article, Chief Harris said, “With the completion of our compact with the State of North Carolina, the Catawba Nation is eager to open the casino as quickly as possible to begin bringing economic benefits and jobs to the state and region.”
The Catawba are working with consultants Delaware North, as well as developer Skyboat Gaming, on the summer ‘pre-launch’ facility.
The 17-acre casino site is off Dixon School Rd., in Kings Mountain, and is near Interstate 85 and about 35 miles west of Charlotte.
The total $273 million casino resort project is expected to create 2,600 permanent jobs at full buildout and thousands of construction jobs in the region.
Cleveland County Commis-sioner Johnny Hutchins said, “This project will prove to be a long-lasting and sustainable economic engine for the residents of Cleveland County.”
The Catawba can now conduct Class III gaming, including operating slot machines and table games.
Earlier this year, the Catawba Compact was approved by Gov. Roy Cooper, as well as N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Attorney General Josh Stein.
These and other actions, noted Chief Harris, recognize the Catawba Nation’s historical and ancestral ties to its aboriginal lands throughout North Carolina. Also, the compact with the state acknowledges their connection to North Carolina as well.
In addition to creating revenue for the state, it is to be noted the casino will help support an education fund that will benefit environmental conservation, provide educational support for members of federal and state-recognized tribes, support local communities on economic development initiatives and foster employment opportunities on or near Catawba lands.