By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info

Some people might think that Girl Scouts sell cookies once a year and sit around a campfire eating s’mores. Wrong! And in the case of Kathryn Cupp of Cramerton it’s very, very, wrong.
Cupp, 16, is a Stuart Cramer High senior who is a member of Scout Troop 20416 based at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Gastonia. She’s been in scouting since childhood and risen in the ranks from Daisy to her current status as an Ambassador.
Over the years, Cupp has done service projects that earned her a Bronze and Silver Award. When the time came to go for her Gold Award, she gave it some deep thought and came up with the concept of “Caring Cupboards” which are freestanding boxes filled with food and toiletries that folks can avail themselves of for free.
Cupp explained how she formulated the plan and carried it out.
“The pandemic led me to the idea  of building coverings for nonperishable foods and other items people need,” she said. “I had a bake sale fundraiser and raised $1,400. I baked for twelve hours. Things like brownies and rice crispy treats and cookies. I advertised them on Instagram and Facebook and spent eight hours delivering them. It was a lot of hard work.”
Cupp took the money to local home improvement stores and bought the wood and other materials to build three Caring Cupboards. She did a lot of the sawing and hammering herself- with a bit of help.
“My dad has a background in carpentry and he helped,” she said. “I also had some help from my team mates Conner Griffin and Ronan Morano.”
After the cupboards were built, she put them up in three locations- Town Hall in Cramerton, First Presbyterian in Gastonia, and St. Mark’s Episcopal in Gastonia.
Next, Cupp stocked the cupboards.
“I took the money that was left over from buying the materials and bought things to fill them,” she said.
A peek inside the Cramerton cupboard revealed soup, ravioli, personal care  items, bottled water, macaroni, and Vienna sausages.
People are welcome to give and receive via the cupboards.
“It’s take what you need and give what you can,” Cupp said.
The Caring Cupboards are proving to be a hit.
“The ones in Gastonia have been up for two weeks and have had to be filled twice a day,”she said.
The Cramerton one is new and should get plenty of action too.
“It’s gratifying to see the cupboards being utilized,” Cupp said.
Cupp’s mom, Leah, had this to say about the project.
“I’ve very impressed,” she said. “The pandemic took some things away that she enjoyed doing, but it  also allowed her time to help people in the community.”
Cupp says he’s gotten a lot out of  her Girl Scout years and says it’s a great thing to be a part of.
“I would encourage girls to get involved and get started on their own service projects,” she said.
 

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info

After many months of planning, construction began last week on a major development in North Belmont.  The project will be a business park at Woodlawn and Cason streets. The development will be known as River West Business Park. The rezoning applicant was Belmont Industrial, LLC represented by Scott Bortzk. The rezoning was approved at the Nov. 11, 2019 meeting of the Belmont city council.
Plans are for two warehouse and office structures to be built with a total area of 60,000 sq. ft. The property where the project will take place is owned by Alliance Real Estate III. When completed, it is estimated the project could generate 250 to 350 new jobs. The project will likely require road improvements one of which would eliminate the blind intersection at Acme Rd. and Woodlawn and also shut a section of Centerview St.
 The 40 acre site where the development is slated has a long and interesting history going back to the 19th century when it was part of a 600 acre plot that Robert Smith purchased from Catawba Indians in 1830 for $1,000.
Later, the land was the site of Acme Spinning Mill. That textile facility opened around 1920 and operated not one, but two mills. It also had a village of company houses as well as a baseball field for workers and their families. In 1986, “the Acme” as it was known, was sold to Parkdale Mills who kept it going until 2002. In 2005 the mill and many of its houses was torn down. Since

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info

It won’t be long now.
That’s a good way to succinctly put the current state  of construction regarding the repair and rebuild of Mt. Holly’s First Baptist Church.
July 21, 2020  marked the fourth anniversary of a fire that destroyed the sanctuary of First Baptist  and damaged its Education Building. The fire was one of the biggest in Mt. Holly history and took 150 firefighters from 16 different departments several hours to control. The fire was eventually blamed on a propane torch used by a crew repairing the roof.
The sanctuary building was gutted but the exterior walls stood firm. Work took place last year to clear the twisted rubble from the sanctuary interior and allow structural engineers to assess the building’s integrity. The cleanup took six months.
After the fire, the First Baptist congregation overwhelmingly voted to use, to the extent possible, the remaining walls of the structure in the rebuilding process. The architect chosen by the church, WKWW Architects of Charlotte, created a design that blended the old and the new. Beam Construction was picked to do the actual work.
The rebuild has included several important upgrades. One is the roof structure that’s now made of heavy duty steel beams. The other is a band of concrete around the uppermost rows of bricks. The concrete will tie the walls together for extra strength.
But those are just technical details. What’s actually happened in the time from when the twisted and charred rubble inside the church was hauled off and the rebuild began is amazing.
A look inside the church sanctuary last week revealed a stunning, beautiful, awe inspiring and reverential feeling at what workers have accomplished.
“We’ve come a long way,”  First Baptist pastor Dr. Kendell Cameron said in a huge understatement.
Blackened wood and plaster has been replaced by beautiful cream-colored walls accented by rich hardwood trim. The sanctuary ceiling is the crowning touch and is shaped like a Greek cross. Recessed lighting gives the sanctuary ceiling a celestial look and feel.
New windows currently have clear glass, but new stained glass ones will be placed on the inside of them. The new windows will be similar to the original 1928 ones and are being made by Statesville Stained Glass.
“Having the stained glass windows on the inside will also help with energy efficiency,” Cameron said.
The church organ was destroyed in the fire and  Schantz Organ Co. based in Orrville, Ohio has started creating a bigger and better one. However, because of COVID, the company had to shut down for a spell. Nonetheless, the instrument will still be coming soon.
“It will be here in a couple of months,” Cameron said.
New pews for the sanctuary are slated for delivery any day now. Several of the church’s original chandeliers were saved and have been installed in the sanctuary.
Other spaces in the church have received rebuilds as well. New restrooms, classrooms, flooring, and hallways are nearly complete.
Building committee chair Reeves McGlohon estimates the bill for the rebuild will be $5-5.5 million.
So, when exactly will First Baptist be ready? That’s a good question and the answer still depends on what happens regarding the COVID impact.
“Beam has been here every day,” McGlohon said. “However, their suppliers have been impacted by COVID. We still hope to be ready by early fall.”
Having First Baptist rise from the ashes has always been more than restoring a building. It’s always been about faith.
“We are deeply excited to have a future here,” Cameron said. “COVID put a damper on the near future but we plan  on  long future.”
 

Gaston County EMS, along with Lincoln County EMS and Stanley Rescue, deployed twelve personnel to Clayton, NC, to provide support for the effects of tropical storm Isaias. They will form an ambulance strike team consisting of three advanced life support ambulances, two basic life support ambulances, an AST logistics trailer, and an ambulance strike team leader. Gaston County EMS personnel: Deputy Chief Jamie McConnell, Crew Chief Josha Crabtree, Paramedic Dwayne Shipton, Paramedic Ashley Pierce, EMT Mark Hines, EMT Cameron Woods, EMT Shelby Speas, EMT Darrell Williams. Lincoln County EMS personnel: Paramedic Jonathan Thomas, Paramedic Steven Bridges. Stanley Rescue personnel: EMT Madison Meadows, EMT Lindsay Nelson.

 

Officers of the Mt. Holly Police Department have started a school supply drive called “Books & Badges”. This school supply drive will be for the four schools within Mount Holly jurisdiction. A  box is  located in the MHPD lobby for donations of any new school supplies you would like to give. Pens, pencils, colored pencils, 3 subject notebooks, 3 ring binders, loose-leaf paper, crayons, hand sanitizers, tissues, and disinfectant spray are needed. When school restarts, MHPD separate the school supplies and distribute them to Mount Holly Middle, Ida Rankin, Catawba Heights, and Pinewood. Your donations are greatly appreciated!!

by MICHAEL E. POWELL

Recently representatives from the Catawba Indian Nation, located in Rock Hill, S.C., and the City of Kings Mountain, and from Cleveland County, met to break ground for the Catawba’s Casino Resort Project.
The group of individuals met at 10:30 a.m., at the Catawba’s 16-acres of land set aside for the casino, just off Exit 5 on I-85, the actual address being 260 Dixon School Rd., Kings Mountain.
In a Monday, July 20, media release from Tribal Administrator Elizabeth Harris, there was limited space available due to COVID-19 restrictions, and the expected mask and social distancing guidelines and rules were in place.
Catawba Chief William “Bill” Harris, after brief introductions of all those who were invited to speak and take part in the auspicious occasion, said, “We are privileged to work with the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners and the City of Kings Mountain. We are also pleased to be working with Delaware North as well as Sky Boat Development.”
Chief Harris spoke about the history of the Catawba Nation and the tribe’s close historical ties with first the English during the French and Indian War, then with the Colonial Americans, when they later took up arms against the British in the Battle of Kings Mountain.
He spoke of the Catawba’s great King Hagler, who in the 1750s spoke about living in peace, love and friendship with all nations. King Hagler, or Nopkehee, was born about 1700, and died in 1763. He became Chief of the Catawba in 1754.
“We, the Catawba Nation, were there to read the signs and warn the colonists of British attacks,” Chief Harris said, as he continued on the history of the Catawba Nation.
Chief Harris referenced how their nation has developed many partnerships over the many years, bringing it home by referring to the coming casino and its many job opportunities by saying, “Today, we celebrate the thousands of jobs that will be created; we celebrate the economic growth that will come about.”
Regarding that economic growth: it is estimated that a total of $428.1 million will be realized as far as an annual economic impact is concerned. The breakdown is as follows: $308 million (once operational, in per year of direct economic activity and employment of an estimated 2,600 workers); $77.3 million (an additional per year in indirect impact through local purchases from local business); and another $42.8 million per year in induced impact from employer expenditures, according to information provided by London & Associates (February 2020). This same study projects that construction activity alone will generate $311 million, with a “total employment of 2,347 from direct, indirect, and induced effect”, as per that same media release.
Harris continued, “Today the Catawba Nation wants to express it gratitude to Kings Mountain, Delaware North, Cleveland County, and Sky Boat, as well as others as this project unfolds.” Some of those others he talked about include U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham, Richard Burr, Tom Tillis, and Sen. Scott for their 2019 support that encouraged the request to accept the 16 acres of land into trust for the Catawbas. That decision is still being contested by the Cherokee Tribe but the casino continues to move forward, noted Chief Harris, in a March 2020 article in the Eagle.
According to the Project History & Timeline handed out at the groundbreaking, the projected Introductory Phase, complete with 1,300 operational gaming devices is possibly summer of 2021.
Kings Mountain Mayor Scott Neisler, who was one of the project leads, along with Cleveland County Commissioner Johnny Hutchins, was quoted on the handout as saying, “Finally, the Catawbas have the opportunity to perpetuate their culture as a meaningful elevation of their place in North American history.
“Before today, this eight-mile stretch of I-85 had little to offer to locals and tourists. With this project we will become the premier destination between Atlanta and Washington, DC, for entertainment.”
Neisler said at the groundbreaking, “Today, we are standing on official Catawba Nation lands! This is historical Catawba land! We are all Americans, and we are in lockstep with them, and wish them well in the furthering of their culture. I want to thank Chief Harris and others of this Catawba Nation for having us as guests on their land.”
Commissioner Hutchins was quoted on the handout as saying, “Our steadfast partnership with the Catawba Indian Nation has brought us to this moment in time to celebrate their culture and their desire to improve the future of tribe members and those in Cleveland County and the region through jobs, tourism, and economic potential.”
He added at the groundbreaking, “This (casino and its jobs) is going to be beneficial to us all.”
In addition to Hutchins being there for the Cleveland County Commissioners, Chairperson Susan Allen was present as well, as was Delaware North’s Gaming President E. Brian Hansberry, and a host of dignitaries and others. Sheriff Alan Norman and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department provided security and direction for the event.
Hansberry noted that Delaware North wants “to create a world-class operation here,” and that they were “glad to be working on this.”
In closing, Chief Harris, said, just before inviting everyone to the actual groundbreaking area, “This project will have a huge economic impact on this area!”
Providing tribal music and prayers for the event, along with ceremonial drumming were Jason and Ronnie Beck.
For those desiring more information on the Catawba Nation Casino or the tribe, contact Elizabeth Harris, Tribal Administrator at elizabeth.harris@catawbaindian.net, or call (803) 366-4792, ext. 225.

We are stardust, we are golden. We are billion year old carbon, And we got to get ourselves back to the garden.
– Woodstock ~ Joni Mitchell

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info

Mike and Kristina Lore’s Piedmont Homestead market garden and farm near Alexis is a miniature Garden of Eden.

Several years ago the couple decided to plant a garden on their six acre piece of land located on Alexis-High Shoals Rd. and the banks of Sailors Branch. Now, those few rows have grown in scope to the point where they are able to have plenty of vegetables for themselves and enough to carry each weekend to the Mt. Holly Farmers Market for sale.
“Two or three years ago I started learning about food and the more I got into it I decided to share that knowledge and the produce we grow,” Mike said.
Right now, the garden has about a fifth of an acre under cultivation out in the open and another large space under a high shelter similar to a greenhouse. Goodies the Lores are growing includes melons, kale, carrots, lettuce, beets, sweet potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, peppers, cukes, and several types of herbs just to name a few things.
Like most uncultivated places in our area, the soil the Lores started out with was red dirt with plenty of weeds. Mike shared his tips on how he took that situation and turned it around so that vegetables and flowers can really get going.
“You need plenty of compost,” he said. “We don’t till the soil which stirs up weed seeds. We put sheets of plastic on top of the weeds to kill them then take it up and put lots of compost down. Wood chips go between the rows. We turn the compost over with a broad fork.”
The Lores get their compost by the yard from Earth Farms in Dallas. A big heap is stockpiled behind their house ready for spreading.
“Clean compost also helps keep the weeds down,” Mike said.
Water is also a vital element for gardening and Mike offers this advice.
“The first step in gardening is planning the location so you have good light and water,” he said. “That’s very important.”
To keep the critters from eating up everything in the outside garden, Mike took black locust poles and plenty of wire to build a high fence. They have a flock of Golden Comet chickens and an electric fence keeps varmints out. Their friendly red dog does his part by patrolling the grounds.
When crops are picked Mike and Kristina take them to a room out back of their garage for washing, packaging, and transport to the Mt. Holly Farmers Market. Some of the crop they donate to Mt. Holly’s Community Relief Organization.
Right now, the garden is a supplemental form of income, but there are plans in that regard.
“Hopefully, in a couple of years we will be able to farm full time,” Mike said. “That’s the goal.”
For Mike and Kristina, having the garden is a lot more than about making money, it’s a rich, healthy way of life and a boon to body and soul.
“There is a lot of meaning in having your hands in the soil,” Mike said. “It’s a lot of work, but well worth it.”
To find out more about Piedmont Homestead, visit the website at thepiedmonthomestead.com.

Progress continues with the new housing facility at Belmont Abbey College. The five-story residence hall will be the Belmont Abbey College home for 136 upperclassmen – 34 students on each of floors two through five with classrooms and faculty offices on the first floor.
Unfortunately, due to numerous weather delays during the initial stages, the Abbey is anticipating an October completion for the most significant housing project in the history of the College. To support safety during the pandemic and rather than providing an option to triple its residents, the College will be providing a modular unit option, at a significantly reduced rate—$2,300 rather than $3,700 for fall 2020.
The modular units will offer the same amenities as  existing housing options. The single occupancy 10’ x 10’ rooms will include a shared bathroom with one other resident—the same assigned roommate for the new hall. Each room has a single bed, desk, vanity, and television with shared laundry facilities located within. The units will be temporarily located in the parking lot adjacent to the baseball field, dining hall, and the Saints residence halls.
To accommodate the temporary loss of parking during this growth phase, the College is permanently expanding the parking lot adjacent to the Alumni House and Science building, which will add approximately 90 additional parking spots. The Abbey is currently developing a more detailed parking plan for fall 2020, particularly for residents of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica.
The modular units, while temporary, will still provide a safe, high-quality, living experience until the construction of the new hall concludes in October. With its integrated location, the new units provide an ample opportunity for new community building with its easy access to the residential side of campus, the Crusader Success Hub, the dining hall, athletic facilities, and the quad.

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info
Belmont resident Deborah Baxa lives on a stunning 30+-acre piece of land right on Lake Wylie near the Hot Hole. She could sell some of it to developers for yet another subdivision, or keep it all to herself. But Baxa has what she believes is a higher and better use for the property- a new event venue she’s calling Camelot Meadows.

Deborah’s husband, Lt. Col. Dr. Mark Baxa, passed away just a few years ago from brain cancer at the age of 59. He was an incredibly accomplished man who among other things was a U.S. Navy and Air Force Reserves veteran, and medical director at what is now CaroMont Health. He was also passionate about working on and beautifying the property he and Deborah shared.
Deborah says the concept for Camelot Meadows came to her as a way of honoring and remembering Mark’s love of their land and a desire to share its splendor with others.
“I feel it’s important to share it with the community,” she said. “There are so many hidden gems on this property that most people are not even aware of.”
A tour of the acres turned up one really interesting feature- an enchanted bamboo forest. The bamboo growing there towers over 20 feet tall. Walking or riding through it on a trail Mark carved out is a unique and magical experience. Deborah is also sharing the bamboo for a good cause.
“Once a year Bhutanese refugees come over from Charlotte and harvest the shoots,” she says. “Last year they harvested five hundred pounds which fed one hundred fifty people.”
Another way that Baxa wants to help the Belmont area community is by having people with physical challenges come use her horses for equine riding therapy.
Another cool feature of the Baxa land is a creek with large boulders. The creek runs down to the lake and the view from the adjacent field is stunning.
It’s in that very field that Baxa wants to build  Camelot Meadows’  huge, 7,560 sq. ft. barn. Actually, the barn is built, but about 1,500 miles away.
“It’s in Nebraska waiting to be brought here,” she said.
The type of events that Baxa envisions for Camelot Meadows could include weddings, corporate events, arts and craft fairs, photo shoots, concerts, holiday parties, private parties of all types, etc.
In addition to the event structure, Baxa also has plans for cabin to be built on a knoll beside the rocky creek overlooking the lake.
So far Baxa has gotten letters of support for the project from the Gaston Regional Chamber, Belmont Mayor Charles Martin, the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce, Gaston County Travel and Tourism, to name a few.
So, when will the project move from the planning stage to a physical reality? Seems there’s a bump in the road. Or lack of a road. The property is landlocked in a sense and Baxa needs road access to it from South Point Rd.
“There are access issues I am still working on,” she said.
In the meantime, Baxa is holding a series of concerts on the lake with the money benefiting local nonprofits. The next one is set for August 9 for Girls on the Run, then September 13 for Holy Angels, and October 11 for Belmont Memorial Skate Park. The music starts at 6pm and winds down at 8pm. The address is 156 Lake Mist Dr., Belmont (Baxa’s house). For boaters it’s the Hot Hole area.
As Baxa says- “This land is meant to be shared and appreciated by others and will always be a part of Mark’s legacy.”
For more information visit www.camelotmeadowsevent.com.

The Gaston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 28, but  did not vote on a possible relocation of the Confederate monument outside the Gaston County courthouse.
The meeting took place at 6 p.m. at the Harley B. Gaston Public Forum at the Gaston County Courthouse, 325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, in Gastonia. The meeting was livestreamed on the County’s website, GastonGov.com, as well as broadcasted on the Gaston County Government Access Channel, which is available to Spectrum and AT&T U-Verse subscribers.
Last month, the Board of Commissioners tasked a 12-member citizen panel dubbed the “Council of Understanding” to debate the future of that Confederate Monument.
The Board plans to receive a report on the Council of Understanding’s 7-5 vote to recommend relocating the statue from Commissioner Tom Keigher, who chaired that citizen council. The board may provide direction to County staff as to allowing citizens to vote on a referendum, asking state officials to lobby for a change in the 2015 law concerning objects of remembrance, or to pursue other options.

The Gaston County Family YMCA responds to community needs amidst Gaston County Schools recent school reopening decision by providing both full day and Afterschool options to support working families.
 “With school reopening we know it is more important than ever to ensure working parents have safe and reliable childcare as well as support as they learn remotely,” said Sharon Padgett, CEO. “The Y has been a long time partner of Gaston County Schools. It is only natural to work together.”
The Y Enrichment Program will offer options for students in cohort A, cohort B, as well as virtual only students at four locations serving children from kindergarten through 8th grade. This program will provide a safe and enriching environment that is fully outfitted for remote learning as well as traditional YMCA programming such as themed weeks, small group games, physical activities, arts and crafts, and more.
The program will take special precautions outlined by the CDC to ensure the health and safety of staff and participants, including limited group sizes, assigning students to one group for an entire week and modifying adult to student ratios.
“We are hard at working preparing for students,” said Padgett, “We know this school year will look and feel different than ever before and want to help all kids have the opportunity to thrive.” The Y is working hard to serve children throughout Gaston County for the 2020/2021 school year. Reservations are now available at gastonymca.org for the 2020 School Year to allow parents to secure your spot. Please note, we are taking extra precautions to ensure the health and safety of all participants during the COVID19 crisis, therefore, spaces are limited.

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info

Long before, centuries before, the South Point peninsula began its transformation into a clogged two lane road and a sea of subdivisions, the area was a wilderness home to Native Americans and early European settlers.
Few, if any, folks know that better than lifelong Belmont resident and historian Jack Page who spent many, many days exploring abandoned South Point farmsteads and the banks of the South Fork River looking for whatever historical treasures the soil held. Page’s finds included an impressive collection of arrowheads, spear points, pottery, musket balls, and colonial era utensils a considerable amount of which is on display at the Belmont Historical Museum.
Page recalled finding his first Native American artifact on the South Point peninsula.
“The area had been logged fairly recently,” he said. “The trucks had left some deep ruts. My eyes fell upon a perfect spear point. I later discovered it was over 10,000 years old.”
Page was bitten by the amateur archaeology bug.
“At one time there was a lot of abandoned farm land on the South Point peninsula. I could park my vehicle beside the road with full confidence that no would mind if I walked those fields. I never dug. I was a surface hunter. I loved to hunt artifacts that emerged when the ground had been plowed or disturbed in some mammer.”
Page described some of the places he found artifacts.
“Any old home site was a prime area,” he said. “Also, where Indian camp sites had been situated near water such as the South Fork River.
Usually I began by looking for rock chips from arrowhead making. Then I began looking in such  an area in earnest.”
What did he find?
“Local tools and points in our area are made from quart and rhyolite,” Page said. “Each culture in our area had distinct projectile types. As time moved on, the introduction of agriculture began a cultural revolution that needed tools for clothes making, food preparation, and containers for storage.”
Europeans appeared on the South Point peninsula in the early 1700s. At one time there was a small fort built there. Early settlers were named Leeper, Kuykendall, Stowe, Armstrong, and Smith. Among the artifacts that Page found that might be attributed to these and other pioneer folks were musket balls and table knives.
Page commented on the changes that have taken place on the South Point peninsula.
“The demise of farming on South Point and the building boom has limited or destroyed evidence of Native American having lived here for thousands of years,” said Page. “The Catawba tribe was a late coming group that had been predated by numerous earlier cultures. If you are lucky you might still stumble upon a projectile point or a pottery shard. These artifact are overlooked unless you educate yourself by studying those like the ones in the Belmont Historical Society.”

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info

Last week the Gaston County Board of Education voted 8-1 to adopt the state’s “Plan B” for the reopening of schools on August 17. Board member Dot Guthrie cast the “no” vote
Superintendent Jeff Booker recommended the  plan after studying reports by school officials. Other plans that were under consideration included reopening under plan B, at 50-percent capacity, and plan C, totally remote learning.
Plan A/B will use a combo of learning options for student “cohorts”. Cohort A will go to school classrooms and see teachers on Mondays and Tuesdays. Cohort B students will go on Thursdays and Fridays.
On the days when students aren’t actually in a classroom, they will avail themselves of remote learning. Wednesdays will see all students doing the remote learning thing and classrooms will get a good cleaning.
To get to their remote learning lessons, kids in grades K-5 will dial up the Schoology program while their older classmates in 6-12 will use Canvas.
Another learning option will be the school system’s Gaston Virtual Academy.
Health and safety are at the heart of the back to school plans. Students either exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19 won’t be allowed in school even if they don’t show symptoms. Students who have been exposed but don’t show symptoms will have to stay home for 14 days. If they test positive but don’t have symptoms the wait is ten days. At least one symptom means no school. A negative test means the student must not have a fever or any other symptoms for 24 hours before going back to school.
School nutrition has been factored into the plan as well. Each day will see breakfast and lunch brought to the classrooms. On the days that students aren’t actually in class, the highly successful “Grab and Go” food delivery program will be used to make sure the kids are fed.
Gaston Schools will also develop other COVID-19 safety plans including how to handle the situation if an outbreak happens not only in classrooms but buses as well. The state currently requires only one student per bus seat. Students must also wear a mask while riding the bus. Gaston County Schools buses will be cleaned electrostatically after each trip.

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info

During the summer, the sound of music coming from  a truck rolling down a neighborhood street usually means the ice cream man has arrived. However, this summer, a similar sight and sound has a very different meaning for kids in several local neighborhoods. That’s because Candace Nichols has created  a unique and uplifting variation to that scenario.

A former HR executive, Nichols felt an itching dissatisfaction with her career and felt that there had to be a higher calling out there  so she came up with a unique concept- why not deliver free lunches to kids and while the chaps chow down, share a Bible story and sing a little hymn together. You might call it a Vacation Bible School on wheels.
Nichols named her brainstorm Today’s Daily Bread and set about making it a reality.
“I was astonished to learn about the hunger need in Gaston County,” she says.  “My heart has been broken with the knowledge that over sixty percent of school-age children are accustomed to receiving a free or reduced-price lunch during the school year, but during the summer, the story is quite different. While some of these children have ways to receive a free lunch during the summer via the Summer Feeding Program hosted by Gaston County Schools, a large gap exists among the population of children, that are unable to get to where these meals are served.  The gap of hunger included all ages of children, from elementary to high school. As I walked through doors and met people that God ordained along this path, I learned of neighborhoods being served in this county and in my town, but I also learned that the need for a mobile food delivery truck would complement the great and commendable efforts that are in place today via organizations and churches in my community to fill the hunger gap. The mobile food truck idea could indeed fill a unique need in our county and yes even in my town of Belmont. God took me on the fact-finding mission by using people such as Brad Rivers, Dallas Butler, Sue Johnson, Ann Hixson, Cliff Calvert, the late Reverend Alexander, and others to open my eye that even in my town of Belmont, where the main street flourishes with restaurants, coffee shops, shopping. In my town, just past the mix of new homes and old mansions, are neighborhoods that have children that are hungry when school is out of session.  God had confirmed this, His purposefully planted idea, of having a mobile food delivery truck was not a perceived need. There was/is a real need for this in my community.”
With the help of numerous sponsors, Nichols acquired a delivery type truck and outfitted it. She put a sound system in it that belts out hymns as the vehicle rolls along. Food is supplied by the Gaston County Schools nutrition department. Nichols picks it up at North Belmont Elementary School and with the help of a volunteer, heads out into neighborhoods where the lunches are distributed to children waiting in yards and curbside.
Currently, Nichols is delivering around 170 lunches per day. The food is good. A typical meal might have chicken nuggets, a couple of types of vegetables, and a cookie. Oh, by the way, ice cream is on the menu on Fridays.
Nichols summed up her mission plan succinctly.
“Our objective is to provide a healthy free lunch to any child 18 years and younger that falls within this hunger gap during the summer while school is out of session and ensure they know that Jesus loves them,”  she said.
Hall Park is one of the neighborhoods that Nichols delivers to. Karen Leatherman lives there on Peachtree St. and her lawn is where her twin granddaughters and several other kids gather under a big tree for a shady lunch and Bible lesson.
“Today’s Daily Bread is the most refreshing thing to come  in a long time,” Leatherman said. “It really gives the kids something to look forward to. It’s been a blessing. The kids enjoy the lunch and learn a lot too.”
Even though she’s the muscle and brains behind Todays’ daily Bread, Nichols is only taking a sliver of the credit for herself.
“This is God’s thing,” she said. “He allows me to do it.”
Today’s Daily Bread is a non-profit and donations are its lifeblood. To find out more go to www.Today’sDB.org.

Dear Parents and Employees:
Last week, Governor Roy Cooper made an announcement about the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 academic year.
School districts across North Carolina, including Gaston County, will be able to implement a blended model of instruction (referred to as Plan B by the state) that allows for students to attend school in-person on a part-time basis and engage in remote learning at home.
While “Plan B” makes it possible for students to attend school in-person for the first time since March, it challenges school districts to develop a comprehensive plan that outlines how schools will operate when the new year begins on Monday, August 17.  Our operational plan must take into consideration a number of health and safety guidelines such as social distancing, wearing face coverings, hand washing recommendations and other cleanliness precautions, etc. as they relate to scheduling, classroom setup, delivery of instruction, bus transportation, school nutrition, arrival and dismissal procedures, and many other logistics.
It goes without saying that the upcoming school year will be like none that we have ever experienced before.  The coronavirus pandemic has changed almost everything about how we live, and it has brought about a “new normal” for our society.  Without question, school will be very different for the unforeseeable future.
We know that you have many questions about what school will be like for 2020-2021.  You will be receiving more information  and your school will be sharing information with you very soon.  Additionally, we want to thank those of you who have shared your comments with us, sent an e-mail, completed our parent and staff surveys, and/or participated in our Parent Advisory Council meeting and our meeting with teacher representatives from the N.C. Association of Educators (NCAE) local chapter.  Your feedback is important to us as we develop our operational plan and the Board of Education considers the plan.
In the weeks and months ahead, we will need everyone associated with Gaston County Schools to be flexible, patient, open to change, understanding, and willing to do whatever is necessary to provide quality instruction for children while adhering to the highest health and safety standards.  Make no mistake about it, the time ahead of us will be difficult, but our school family is very capable of turning challenges into opportunities.
Thank you for your support and commitment to Gaston County Schools.  Working together, I am confident that we will continue to inspire success and a lifetime of learning even during an unprecedented pandemic.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Booker, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

The Mt. Holly Police Dept. was recently honored and humbled to have Pastor Mike Johnson (pictured), Pastor Jesse Fields, his wife Annie Fields, Pastor Shannon Williams, MHPD Chaplain Reverend Angela Pleasants, and members of the community coordinate a prayer vigil. Pastor Johnson presented Chief Roper with a beautiful plaque and it is now displayed inside the department headquarters. He also presented “Tool Kits” for every Officer and they were very much appreciated. The level of support MHPD receives from everyone is truly appreciated and they are honored to serve such an outstanding Community.

Photo provided
 

On Tuesday, July 14, CaroMont Health  added another location to its growing clinical network with the opening of CaroMont Urgent Care in Belmont.
Located at 1223 Spruce Street, the new office will offer expert care for urgent medical issues seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. With online reservations available and walk-ins welcome, the new office will offer convenient access for neighborhoods and businesses in this growing area.
“In a family-oriented community like Belmont, urgent care is important to ensure patients have access to flexible care options,” said Costa Andreou, MD, Executive Vice President at CaroMont Health. “CaroMont Urgent Care is located a short distance from CaroMont Pediatric Partners, CaroMont Women’s Health and South Point Family Practice, to name a few, so the location should be very convenient for both existing and new patients to CaroMont Health.”
The 4,950 square-foot-facility includes onsite x-ray and laboratory testing, and healthcare providers will offer care and treatment for minor illness and injuries, like colds, ear infections and sprained ankles.
As in all CaroMont Health facilities, additional COVID-19 safety protocols, such as social distancing, enhanced cleaning measures and required face covers, are in place to ensure the safety and comfort of all patients.
“It’s great to see CaroMont Health growing and expanding here in Belmont,” said Charlie Martin, Mayor for the City of Belmont. “We are looking forward to the new hospital, and the addition of this urgent care facility is going to be a big help to our residents.”
CaroMont Urgent Care is the first of many projects CaroMont Health will undertake in the Belmont area. In addition to the announcement of a new hospital planned to open in 2023, the health system is also working on several medical office projects in the area, including the renovation of CaroMont Pediatrics Partners-Belmont.
“The Belmont area plays a critical role in our medical network, and we are fortunate to be part of a community that has supported our efforts to expand healthcare services,” explained Dr. Andreou. “These projects are a reflection of our steadfast commitment to the thousands of patients who trust us to care for them and their families.”
Patients may reserve their spot online by visiting www.caromonthealth.org/checkin.
Patients who have concerns of COVID-19 should call the practice to discuss their symptoms prior to scheduling online or arriving at the practice.

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info
The Mt. Holly Community Garden is in its sixth season and bigger and better than ever.
Located at 126  N. Main St next to First United Methodist Church,  the garden has become a mecca not only for the folks who have garden plots there, but also for people just wanting to sit on a bench and take in all the flowering and vegetable wonderfulness.
Right now, the garden has 52 beds brimming with a bounty of fantastic flowers and an astounding variety of vegetables ranging from ten-foot-tall Russian Mammoth sunflowers to tons of tomatoes, many pounds of peppers, artichokes that won’t choke Arty, cornucopias of corn, etc. etc.
“We had a great growing season,” said garden VP Erin Denison. “It was perfect for all kinds of produce and flowers.”
As it has before, the garden is giving a part of the harvest to the Mt. Holly Community Relief Organization.
“This year we have the produce from ten beds dedicated for donation to the CRO,” said Denison. “So far, that’s one thousand pounds. We’re hoping for two thousand pounds.”
Wait, there’s more. A beautiful new mural on the side of the tool storage shed is nearly complete. The artwork  

By TODD HAGANS
Gaston County Schools

It is every musician’s dream to win a Grammy Award.  One band director in Gaston County Schools is a step closer to making that dream come true.

Kameron Radford of Stuart W. Cramer High School is one of 216 quarterfinalists from across the United States to be nominated for the Grammy Music Educator Award.  It’s a recognition that honors K-12 and collegiate music educators who have made a significant contribution to the field of music education and advocate for maintaining music education in schools.

The winner will be chosen from 10 finalists and attend the 63rd annual Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.  The finalists will receive $1,000 as well as $1,000 for their school’s music program.  Fifteen semifinalists will receive $500 prizes.

“For me, being nominated is especially humbling because it was a student who secretly submitted the initial application,” said Radford.  “I was extremely surprised to receive the e-mail informing me that I was chosen as a quarterfinalist.”

Selected from more than 2,000 applicants, Radford takes his place as one of the top music educators in the country.  It is a well-deserved acknowledgement for Radford, who always knew that he wanted a career in music.

Radford is “homegrown” in Gaston County Schools.  He graduated from Hunter Huss High School in 2004 and Appalachian State University in 2008.  After earning his degree, he returned to his high school alma mater as the band director.

When Stuart W. Cramer opened in August 2013, he jumped at the opportunity to become the school’s first band director, a job he has thoroughly enjoyed for seven years.

“As a band director, I have the opportunity to work with the most amazing students, and everyone in the Stuart W. Cramer community is so supportive,” said Radford, who has high expectations of his students and wants them to strive for the best not just in band, but in everything they do.

“The best part of my job is teaching students the skills needed to reach the highest level of excellence,” said Radford.  “Many of the skills learned in band like responsibility, commitment, perseverance, and teamwork are the same skills needed to be successful in life.”

Radford’s interest in music began at a young age.  He recalls listening and dancing to music at his grandmother’s house when he was just three years old – his favorite song at the time was “Elvira” by the Oak Ridge Boys.  He enjoyed learning songs while in elementary school at H.H. Beam and began developing his musical talent in middle school.

“I feel like my passion for music took off in the Southwest Middle School band room where learning to play the trumpet was the best thing for me,” said Radford.  “Once I got to high school, I realized that being a part of the band was so important.  It’s where I found a friend group of like-minded people who all supported each other as we worked toward a common goal.”

While in high school and college, he emerged as a band leader, serving in the prestigious role of drum major.

“My experience in high school taught me the skills necessary and gave me the confidence to audition for drum major my freshman year at Appalachian,” said Radford.  “As the drum major at Appalachian, I got the opportunity to travel to three Division 1-AA national championship games, march in the New Year’s Day parade in London, and have a sideline view for our historic upset of the Michigan Wolverines in 2007.”

Radford credits his band and music experiences over the years as well as his high school and college band directors, Andy Washburn and Dr. Scott Tobias, for shaping him into a successful band director who is worthy of the Grammy Music Educator Award.

“Being involved in band during a formative time in my life is what ultimately solidified for me that education would be my life’s work,” explained Radford.  “I will cherish my memories of band for the rest of my life, and they are part of the reason why I strive so hard to give my students similar experiences.”

Radford added, “Through music education, it is my hope that I can give my students the same thing my teachers provided for me – a sense of purpose and a place to feel safe and valued.”

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info

First Baptist Church in Belmont has a new preacher.

Pastor Andrew Renfroe, 32, preached his first message there on July 28 standing at a podium made from wood that had been part of the original 1874 sanctuary.

That connection between past, present, and future is at the heart of this story.

First, a quick look back at the founding of First Baptist.

Back in 1874 a group of about a dozen folks living in and near what was then called Garibaldi Station decided to form a church. At first they met under a brush arbor- basically tree limbs on a frame. Soon the desire for a sanctuary was hatched.  Two of the attendees, John Benny Smith and his wife Sara Abernethy Smith sprang into action. Sara donated the plot of land where the current First Baptist Church sits. John had wood sawed and stacked at the ancestral Smith farm in what is now Catawba Heights. The lumber was intended to upgrade the log cabin where they lived. Instead of using it for that purpose, it was taken to the little plot of land and the very first sanctuary, Friendship Baptist, was built with it. Over the years, the original building was replaced with larger and larger ones as the church membership grew. The main sanctuary now is an imposing and grand structure that sits on the original plot- the highest point in the city of Belmont.

Now, let’s meet Renfroe.

A native of Shelby, he’s married to wife Jayda who is a teacher at Gaston Christian School. They have two children, five-year-old Elliott and eight-year old Amelia. They currently live in South Gastonia. Renfro graduated from Crest High in 2006 and from North Greenville University in 2011.

Growing up, Renfroe attended Second Baptist in Shelby. His first church job out of high  school was at Hope Community Church in Cleveland County. He went from there to New Hope Baptist in Earl where he was associate student and children pastor. Next, he went to Second Baptist in Mt. Holly where he was an associate children pastor for two and a half years and interim pastor for a ear and a half. The First Baptist folks voted him in as their pastor in May and, as previously mentioned, he preached his first message on June 28. It had been four years since First Baptist had a senior pastor.

Refroe is a history buff and has spending hours in the First Baptist archives room learning about the church’s rich history and the place it has held in Belmont for nearly a century and a half. He’s well aware that attendance has dwindled from around three or four hundred twenty years ago to the fifty of so folks that show up on Sunday mornings now.

He’s determined to reverse that trend through new programs and philosophies designed to raise the First Baptist profile and recapture the spirit that led to its formation in the first place.

Renfroe says one of his main goals will be to increase awareness that First Baptist is eager to become more involved in community events.

“The church members have a heart for community outreach,” he said.”They love each other and they love the community. They are happy to serve and meet people where they are.”

Just from talking to Renfroe, it’s obvious his energy and enthusiasm for First Baptist is genuine and deep.

“My family and I are very excited to start the next chapter not only in our ministry but also in the life of First Baptist Church, Belmont,” he said.  “If you are looking for a church where you will be treated like family and welcomed in with open arms, look no further. First Baptist Church, Belmont is the church that exists in the community, for the community. Be on the lookout for exciting things to be going on at FBC, Belmont!”

Above all, Renfroe wants folks to know one thing.

“The brightest thing First Baptist has is its future,” he said. “God has plans for this church!”

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info

At the end of this month, when First United Methodist Church Belmont Child Development Center assistant director Susan Clements retires, she will leave behind a 39 year legacy of love and learning.

Clements grew up in a military family and says she’s from “all over the place”, but landed in Gaston County in 1972.

“I graduated from Ashbrook High in 1974,” she said.

She married her husband Ronnie and held jobs at John’s Hobby Shop, Akers Motor Lines, and the kindergarten at Belmont Central.

Fate had other career plans for Clements.

“One of the teachers at FUMC left and I got the job,” Clements said. “I taught the two year olds for six years. My son was in my first class.”

Clements had found her niche.

“That’s when I knew I loved working with the younger kids,” she says. “They have been my calling.”

Clements explained what her favorite part of working at FUMC has been.

“I love how eager the kids are to learn and how happy they are when they figure something out,” she said. “They also love for me to tell them stories- any kind of story. They also love to dance. We have a part of class called Spotlight Dance and they get up one by one and dance to music.”

Getting the kids ready for the day when they enter the school system is also a big part of their FUMC day.

“One joy for me is the fact that at the beginning of the year they can’t spell their name but by the end of the year they can,” Clements said. “I tried to teach them a letter of the alphabet each week so they know how to write it.”

Clements has also stressed the importance of a well-rounded day for her kids.

“They get outdoor recess at least a couple of times a day,” she said. “They hear a Bible story on Tuesday and a music teacher comes on Friday.”

Clements says she has had good fortune to have worked with her boss, Linda Smith, who is FUMC’s Childhood Development director.

“We have worked together well, we are like sisters,” she said. “Linda is the reason this place is so successful.”

Smith returned the compliment.

“I would like to thank Susan Clements for giving 39 years of service to First United Methodist Church Child Development Center,” she said.  “What a legacy of love and care she has given to our church and the Belmont community. Susan has enriched the lives of so many children over the years. She is an institution in our CDC program. She’s a joy to work with and I will always treasure our work relationship that we have shared for 39 years. Many fond memories!! This community has been blessed by her leadership and her compassion for children. Susan has been a delightful co-worker and a great friend to everyone and yes, Thelma, you will be sorely missed by me, Louise. Happy retirement! Much love goes with you from all of our staff. May God bless you, Susan.”

July 1 marked 39 years since Clements first arrived at FUMC, so what does she plan to do in her retirement?

“We have a little cabin in Rutherford County,” she said. “My goal is to travel and camp.”

As far as advice to the FUMC CDC teachers now and in the future, Clements offers this.

“Keep it simple,” she said. “Love the children like they are your own and they will love you right back. They will always remember your smile and that you made them happy.”

By Delta Sanders

It was a Belmont Juneteenth Celebration like none before. There was no gathering in Stowe Park. There was no drum circle, no face painter, no tie dye T-shirt station, and no cultural food vendor.
However, there was an unprecedented acknowledgment and recognition of Juneteenth, as many celebrated it for the very first time.
In recent weeks, several people have learned that Juneteenth is the celebration of the abolishment of slavery in the United States, specifically the June 19, 1865 reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas.
Elements of Empowerment, Inc. worked with the City of Belmont to convert their traditional cultural festival to a virtual format.
The Belmont Juneteenth Celebration Parade was a central piece of the virtual event.
Main Street, Belmont was the center stage for the parade, complete with Belmont Police and Fire Department escorts.
The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Charlotte led Elements of Empowerment, Inc., sponsors, partners, vendors, and other participants in a regal procession that ended just after crossing Wilkinson Boulevard.
Along the way, the downtown crowd and Belmont residents expressed excitement and pleasure as the caravan passed by.
“I was very impressed and at the same time humbled by the pouring out of support shown today during our parade,” said Vince Hill, co-founder of Elements of Empowerment, Inc.  “Many thanks to all who participated and those who waved from the street.”
Keisha Byrd, who drove in the parade,  echoed his sentiment. “I was in awe of the business owners who came out to the sidewalk as we passed by and the residents who waved and greeted us from their porches and driveways,”  said Byrd.
Duane Patterson, who also drove in the parade, took notice of the many vehicle spectators who happily paused to honor the motorcade.
The moment that police and fire vehicles blocked Wilkinson Boulevard, historic reality became apparent to those participating in the parade.
Six-lanes of traffic were halted while the Juneteenth Celebration Parade crossed to the other side.
Gene Sanders got caught up in that moment. “I didn’t want it to end,” he said.
Throughout the planning and execution of the revamped event, Elements of Empowerment, Inc. received significant support from their “nearest” and dearest sponsoring partners.
 “The City of Belmont truly contributed on all levels,” Delta Sanders said. “I enjoyed working with Cassidy Lackey on the fine details.”
She added- “Belmont Abbey College Athletic Department had a large presence in the parade.  The Abbey Players joined the parade lineup after producing a Juneteenth video that features Director Simon Donoghue.”
 “The Abbey Players were honored to take part in the 2020 Belmont Juneteenth Celebration,” Margaret Petry Smith commented. “From the car parade to all of the creative and fun online components, it was truly a meaningful way to commemorate this important anniversary.  We were especially moved to be asked to film a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, highlighting and reaffirming its historical significance.”
Looking forward, Vince Hill remarked- “I am so proud of our relationship with the City of Belmont and Belmont Abbey College and The Abbey Players. We can only anticipate the success we will experience with our 2021 Juneteenth event,  jazz concert, and our reading series.”
The history of Juneteenth
Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston , Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. These days, Juneteenth  celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.  
Belmont has a tradition of recognizing Juneteenth. The Juneteenth idea was introduced by former Belmont city councilwoman Anna Young. From there city council recruited a group of volunteers to help develop the event. The first Belmont Juneteenth celebration was in 2012.

By Mary Smith

Each year the Rotary Club of Mount Holly honors our local police department through a special luncheon during their weekly meeting. At this event, the Officer of the Year is announced by the Chief of Police.
Due to COVID-19, festivities were planned a bit differently than in the past. This past week Rotary Club ordered lunch for each of the Mount Holly Police Department staff members. The meals were purchased from local eatery JackBeagle’s, located in downtown Mount Holly.
It was clear as soon as Officer Ray Mathis walked into the room that this special recognition was a true surprise. He was joined by his loved ones and the other officers on his team who were scheduled to work later that day.
Officer Mathis has worked with the City of Mount Holly for two and a half years, hired while attending BLET (Basic Law Enforcement Training) at Gaston College. He is a member of the county’s Mobile Field Force Leadership and also serves in the National Guard.
During his remarks, Chief of Police Don Roper highlighted Mathis’ work ethic and warrior mentality. Last month, he and fellow officers assisted in the delivery of a baby on the side of a Mount Holly road.
The result of his hard work is still paying off dividends. Officer Mathis noticed a possible print on a small piece of glass from a bathroom window that was broken during a break-in last winter. He dusted and lifted the fingerprint and the department received the results back last week.  The print he lifted resulted in a 100% positive match for the suspect, and charges are forthcoming.
Officer Mathis has also taken it upon himself to share information with the Department by creating a “Leads List” containing information about possible leads regarding possible crime in the area.
The true definition of a public service, Mathis has a heart for serving the community. He recently decided to create a back-to-school program called “Books and Badges” in which he will be accepting donations of school supplies for the upcoming school year for each school in Mount Holly.
“Officer Mathis has proven himself to be a great fit for our community during his time at MHPD. His caring attitude and work ethic highlights his contribution to our team. Mount Holly is fortunate to have Ray as an officer, and I am proud to have him representing our department,” remarked Chief of Police, Don Roper.

By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info

Progress continues to be made on the beautiful new Belmont Middle School under construction on South Point Rd.
Ground was broken in late March 2019 for the project and despite a few weather related hiccups has continued at a steady pace ever since.
Gaston Schools employee and project manager Paul Nault had this to say.
“We hope to be finished by the end of January, depending on the weather,” he said. “We are under the roof and getting a lot of work done inside. We are not stagnant. We are moving forward.”
Inside work currently underway includes installing terrazzo tile flooring, ceilings, wiring, and painting, and  other odds and ends. The terrazzo will be polished to a glass-like sheen, adding even more beauty to an already stunning  school.
“The terrazzo floors will be here as long as the building,” said Nault.
One nice feature of the inside are the skylights that let natural light flood in. In this respect, Belmont Middle is similar to the new Stanley Middle School where skylights are an important architectural feature. Indeed, Belmont Middle’s  floor plan is similar to Stanley, but as Nault calls it “stretched” to accommodate more students.
Sports are an important part of Belmont Middle and the new school will have superb facilities for them. Out back, a nice brick concession stand and press box overlooks the football field and a paved running track. Bleachers will be ADA accessible.
“This is a nice setup,” Nault said. “It is being done right.”
Other outdoor work that still needs doing includes installing more sidewalks, curbing, paving, finishing the athletic fields, and landscaping.
What’s Nault’s overall feeling about the project?
“Belmont loves South Point and Belmont Middle,” he said. “They were well due for a new school and this is one they can be proud of.”
Here are some more Belmont Middle School construction facts:
The new school will replace the current Belmont Middle School located on Central Avenue. That structure  is nearly 80 years old and was formerly Belmont High.
Beam Construction Company of Cherryville is building the new school, and LS3P Associates is the architect.  LS3P also designed the new Stanley Middle School, which opened in March 2018.  The new Belmont Middle School is similar in design to Stanley Middle School.  Beam Construction also built the new Pleasant Ridge Elementary School in Gastonia, which opened in August 2017.
The cost to build the school is an estimated $33.54 million, and construction will take about two years.  It is expected to open for the 2021-2022 academic year.
The new two-story school will feature more than 155,000 square feet of space and be able to accommodate 1,000 students.  The core areas of the school such as the cafeteria and gymnasium will be built to accommodate 1,200 students to plan for future growth.
A modern library and media center, which will serve as the heart of the school and be located near the main entrance;  a spacious cafeteria with stage area and large gymnasium to allow for a variety of uses; grades separated by wings, with the sixth grade on the main floor and seventh and eighth grades on the second floor as well as administration areas on each floor; separate bus and vehicle entrances with more than 200 parking spaces and a pick-up lane that is able to accommodate 100 cars; maximum use of natural light and energy efficiency throughout the school; and new athletic facilities including a multipurpose football field with a six-lane track, baseball and softball fields, bleachers, a field house, and equipment storage facility.

Paramedic Trevor Gosselin receives his recognition for Outstanding Rescue Preparedness from Acting Captain Melanie Massagee.

May 17-23, was the 46th anniversary of National Emergency Management Services or EMS Week. As the coronavirus health crisis continues to unfold, our country and the world are bearing witness to the remarkable dedication, commitment to service and courage of EMS practitioners.
The theme for EMS Week 2020 was “Ready Today, Preparing for Tomorrow.”  Although this theme was selected well before the current pandemic, it is particularly relevant to how your local EMS professionals have stepped up to the many challenges presented to them in these trying times. Everyone owes a great debt of gratitude to all of the Paramedics and EMTs who are serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 response while still responding to and meeting the needs of everyday emergencies that arise.
Because of the impact of COVID-19, Gaston County EMS was unable recognize its men and women with the usual EMS Week festivities. However, Gaston Coumty EMS did recognize the efforts and contributions that specific team members have made to the agency throughout the last year. Employees are selected for these particular recognitions through a peer-nomination process. GEMS presented the following employees with recognition.
Outstanding part-time employees – Lynn Drum and Saraina Hurley
Outstanding rookie – Rebecca Shaffer, Madison Ballard and Christopher McLaughlin
Outstanding Paramedic –Courtney Johnson, Justin Greer, and Caleb Robinson
Outstanding EMT – EMT Andrew Molby, Bridgett Wilkinson, Allison Langley, Bridget Robinson
Outstanding Customer Service – Mark Hines, Kristina Monk, Steven Wall
Outstanding Clinical Preparedness – Robert Paul, and Andrew Adams
Outstanding Rescue Preparedness – Trevor Gosselin
Outstanding Public Educator – Tia Slone and Lanny Bivens
Outstanding Training and Staff Development – Chris Marlowe
Outstanding Mentor – Hannah Orr
Outstanding Field Training Officer – Kelly Marlowe
Outstanding Mentor – Brendon Axe

North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey visited the Mt. Holly Fire Dept. headquarters last week ans shared some exciting news. In March, MHFD was inspected by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. The North Carolina Response Rating (ISO) inspection looks at many different aspects of our department and city. The City of Mount Holly classification improved from a Class 5 to a Class 2. The new rating will be effective September 1, 2020 and could help to lower insurance premiums.
Commercial, industrial and manufacturing businesses are more likely to be in line for these reductions. Homeowners and businesses should contact their insurance companies. This possible premium reduction will depend on the insurance carrier.
This visit included a delivery of smoke detectors for the MHFD neighborhood canvas program. 
“I am proud to be the fire chief of this top-notch organization,” said Chief Ryan Baker  “Each member of our department played a vital role in this achievement and it shows in the final result of the inspection.  At the time of the results, the data given showed that there were only 38 “Class 2” fire departments in the state of North Carolina, and this is out of 1,520 fire departments.  Nationwide there are only 1,673 “Class 2” fire departments out of 40,355.  This puts us in the top two percent in the state among fire departments and in the top four percent in the nation.  We give our very best every day and we will keep striving to be even better for our next inspection.” 

Stuart W. Cramer High School principal Audrey Devine is pleased to announce that Mike Patton, a respected and long-time middle school and high school coach in Gaston County, will become the school’s new athletic director.
Patton replaces Terry Radford, who is retiring at the end of the 2019-2020 school year after 38 years of dedicated service to Gaston County Schools.
A 22-year employee of Gaston County Schools, Patton has taught and coached at Stanley Middle School, Belmont Middle School, South Point High School, and North Gaston High School.  For the past nine years, he has served as the head football coach at North Gaston, and he has been the school’s athletic director since 2016.
“We are extremely proud to have Mr. Patton coming to Stuart W. Cramer High School to serve as our next athletic director,” stated Devine.  “He possesses a wealth of experience, knowledge, leadership, and enthusiasm in the areas of teaching, coaching, and managing athletic programs.”
Devine continued, “Mr. Patton has a positive vision for high school sports, and we look forward to what he will bring to our school.  I am confident that everything he will do at Stuart W. Cramer will benefit our students, coaches, and everyone associated with our athletics program.”
A 1990 graduate of North Gaston High School, Patton attended N.C. State University and was a member of the Wolfpack varsity football team during the 1990 and 1991 seasons.  His coaching career includes serving as the head football coach at Stanley Middle School, assistant football coach at Belmont Middle School, and assistant football and baseball coach at South Point High School.  He became the head football coach at North Gaston High School in 2011.
“While I will miss being a part of the Wildcat family at North Gaston, I appreciate the opportunity to become the athletic director at Stuart W. Cramer, and I am excited about what’s ahead,” said Patton.  “Coach Terry Radford, who has served as the athletic director since the school opened, established an outstanding sports program at Stuart W. Cramer, and I look forward to building on his great foundation.”
Patton added, “The student-athletes at Stuart W. Cramer are incredibly talented.  I want them to experience victories on the field and court, but more important, I want them to be winners – and leaders – in life.  Sports are about learning discipline, building confidence, developing character, and instilling pride.  I know the coaches, teachers, parents, and administrators that I will be working with will support all of the student-athletes at Stuart W. Cramer to ensure they continue to experience success and represent the Storm school community in a way that makes all of us proud.”