Experience Cleveland County, NC

experience C L E V E L A N D

www.clevelandchamber.org

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Shelby Office 200 South lafayette Street po Box 879 Shelby, nc 28151 704.487.8521 fax: 704.487.7458

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kings Mountain Office 150 West mountain Street Kings mountain, nc 28151 704.739.4755

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Visitor Information Center 200 east dixon Blvd.

Shelby, nc 28151 (inside Cleveland Mall) 704.482.7882 Email: info@clevelandchamber.org www.ClevelandChamber.org Design, layout & photography of this magazine was provided by Cleveland County Chamber Members.

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po Box 1726 Shelby, nc 28151 704.466.3847 Editors ebbie champion mark alan Hudson Creative Director/Designer Jd ledford - 18 Stone design

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Welcome letter

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History & culture

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Business & industry

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education & arts

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travel & tourism

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Faith & community

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Sports & recreation

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Health & Wellness

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Senior living

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Writers Gilda pruitt mark alan Hudson Bob mori mary lopez Jackie Sibley Bill cameron COVER: A collection of instruments, courtesy of Randy Saxon that represent the past present and future of music in Cleveland County.

Photographed by Victorian Rose

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STRONG, BALANCED AND BETTER THAN BIG (RIGHT HERE AT HOME)

Shelby Savings Bank SAYS “NO” TO BAILOUT FUNDS Right here in our community, Shelby Savings Bank stands strong. That’s why we said “no” to the bailout funds from the government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

Shelby Savings is the safe, secure, friendly and trustworthy hometown bank we’ve been for over 100 years. And we are well-positioned to continue serving the needs of our growing family of customers for generations to come.

If you’re banking with one of those big out-of-town banks, come join your friends and neighbors who have already made the move to Shelby Savings Bank.

Hometown banking is our business, and we invite you to become a part of our family.

www.hometrustbanking.com

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experience cleveland county

Member FDIC

Welcome

to Cleveland County

Welcome to experience cleveland county, a magazine full of interesting stories, facts, and insights into cleveland county and the folks who live here. if you are a long time resident of the community, you are going to experience some memories and maybe learn something new about your home of many years. to those who are new to the community, you will come away with a desire to experience the wealth of history, beauty and unique opportunities available in cleveland county. in the stories told within these pages, you will sense the rural heritage and beauty of the area. you will be excited about the future of the area as you learn of the many businesses and organizations that contribute to our dynamic economic environment. cleveland county has much to celebrate and much to offer. this magazine is intended to give you an understanding of our rich history and a feel for our commitment to the future. Within its pages you will get a taste of what makes cleveland county tick.

From business and education, to sports, healthcare and the arts, the area’s cornucopia of opportunities will be presented. the usual and the unusual will be open to you. We hope you like your experience as you read the articles. We hope it opens your eyes to all cleveland county has to offer, but most of all, we hope it encourages you to experience cleveland county personally. How else can you get to know a community? enJoy!!

Sincerely,

michael chrisawn, President cleveland county chamber

SOMETHING fOR EVERYONE Cleveland County is blessed with natural beauty, recreational outlets and opportunities for business large and small to prosper. Almost 100,000 people choose to live their lives here.

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estled in the rolling piedmont of the southwestern portion of North Carolina, Cleveland County is situated in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Cleveland County is the gateway between Asheville and Charlotte and is centered between two of the largest metropolitan areas of the Carolinas – Charlotte and Greenville/Spartanburg.

Warm summers, mild winters, spectacular falls and springs invite you outdoors. Cleveland County is a wonderful place for year-round outdoor activities. From water recreation at Moss Lake and the Broad River Greenway to hiking at Kings Mountain Gateway Trail and the Kings Mountain National Military Park, there are a variety of outdoor activities available for your enjoyment. We also have the state’s largest county fair, which takes place at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby.

History abounds in Cleveland County. You can visit historical downtowns in many of our communities. Museums can be found across the county and cover topics from textiles to farming, and from history to music.

Our family-oriented lifestyle, small-town charm, and Southern festival atmosphere make Cleveland County a great place to visit again and again.

Our citizens share a unique passion for the Cleveland County Community. Growth and prosperity have long been important factors to community leaders, and just a few years ago, those

factors are what a county commissioner had in mind when he proposed a partnership between Cleveland County and the Chamber to combine resources for economic development efforts. Then-Commissioner Charlie Harry suggested that the county’s Economic Development Department be realigned under the Cleveland County Chamber. Since the end of 2002 when the Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership began, our economic development efforts have brought more than 31 new industries into Cleveland County and the expansion of a multitude of existing businesses. These announcements were projected to bring over 2,000 new jobs and well over $2.2 billion dollars of new investment into Cleveland County.

The result of this vision is the Cleveland County Chamber Economic Development Partnership which involves many private and public partners, including Cleveland County, Cleveland County Water, City of Kings Mountain, City of Shelby, and the Town of Boiling Springs.

From history, culture, entertainment, and recreation to business, industry, housing, and economic development, Cleveland County has it all. For whatever you may be searching, we invite you to take a closer look at Cleveland County.

We have the things that matter.

CLEVELAND COUNTY by the numbers EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY

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experience cleveland county CLEVELAND

WORKFORCE EDUCATION

COUNTY GOVERNMENT

POPULATION 2006

PO Box 1210

Shelby, NC

Ours is a county rich in history... willing to unite to achieve progressive goals...

Our citizens are generous and warm... our landscape is striking in its beauty...

Our purpose is to improve the quality of life for our children and our children’s children

WEATHER

CLEVELAND COUNTY TOP EMPLOYERS Cleveland Board of Education Cleveland Regional Medical Center Cleveland County Gardner-Webb University Wal-Mart Associates, Inc Hanes Brands, Inc PPG Industries Baldor Electric Company Cleveland Community College Eaton Corporation *Source: Employment Security Commission

Avg. Low

Avg. High

JAN

29˚ F

51˚ F

Avg. Rainfall 4.73 in.

FEB

32˚ F

55˚ F

3.98 in.

MARCH

39˚ F

64˚ F

4.81 in.

APRIL

46˚ F

72˚ F

3.83 in.

MAY

55˚ F

79˚ F

4.39 in.

JUNE

63˚ F

85˚ F

4.30 in.

JULY

66˚ F

89˚ F

4.52 in.

AUG

65˚ F

87˚ F

4.57 in.

SEPT

58˚ F

81˚ F

4.43 in.

OCT

47˚ F

72˚ F

3.87 in.

NOV

38˚ F

62˚ F

3.83 in.

DEC

31˚ F

53˚ F

4.14 in.

PHONE: 704-484-4800

FAX: 704-484-4930

www.ClevelandCounty.com experience cleveland county

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text By JacKie SiBley

History & Culture in Cleveland County

cleveland county is both scenically beautiful and rich in heritage, thus the slogan Scenic Pleasures, Historic Treasures.

History named for Benjamin cleveland, a colonel in the american revolutionary War, who took part in the Battle of Kings mountain, cleveland county boasts a proud history. recently designated a national preserve america community by the u. S. White House, guests will not be disappointed by the preserved architecture in our vibrant towns. Self-guided walking tours of the “Shelby dynasty” area known as the central Shelby Historic district provide guests with a sense of the contribution this area made to the forming of north carolina. revolutionary War re-enactors frequent festivals in the Kings mountain area, bringing history alive. museums scattered across cleveland county tell the story of the region.

Kings mountain Historical museum is housed in the 1939 simplified Georgian revival style post office building. rotating exhibits depict the history of the area surrounding Kings mountain.

Belwood Heritage museum features memorabilia from homes and farms over the last 100 years. mill village lifestyles are portrayed at the lawndale Historical museum, housed in a modern portion of the 1897 school house. an original boxcar from the lawndale railway narrow-gauge train is also on display. exhibits of antique firefighting equipment can be viewed at the Kings mountain Historical Fire museum. the international lineman’s museum, located in Shelby, was created to preserve the history of linemen and the electrical

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utility industry with artifacts dating as far back as the 1880’s on exhibit. music legend earl Scruggs is a household name to many and known as the writer of the “Beverly Hillbillies” theme song to some. Born and raised in cleveland county, earl Scruggs has told the stories of the carolina Foothills for decades. the historic cleveland county courthouse, a 1907 classical revival building, will soon be renovated and reused. drawing on the

HISTORY ABOUNDS Cleveland County’s historic courthouse in Shelby. Right: This monument at Kings Mountain National Military Park commemorates an important victory by Colonial forces during the latter stages of the Revolutionary War.

History & Culture

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History & Culture

region’s rich history and music, the earl Scruggs center, Songs and Stories of the carolina Foothills, will enlighten, educate and celebrate the people, traditions and values of all cleveland county. a visit to cleveland county is not complete unless you have visited the restored circa 1919, all wood carrousel housed in a pavilion at the Shelby city park. it is one of only five such carrousels in north carolina and one of 150 in the entire united States.

The Arts cleveland county is home to an assortment of artists from potters to wine makers. many second and third generation artists display in private studios and galleries throughout the county. an art tour brochure is available to locate the galleries and studios in cleveland county. phillip philbeck, among the most gifted and respected artists in north carolina and the region, depicts his hometown in many landscape paintings. His work can be found locally as well as across the state.

Greater Shelby community theatre and King mountain little theatre players perform an annual schedule in local venues. Gardner-Webb university, along with the county high school orchestra and drama departments, provides high quality cultural events locally. the State theatre, an art deco gem reborn as the don Gibson theatre, is a 400-seat very intimate concert hall that features the best musicians who have graced magazine covers, earned

Grammy awards, Gold albums and “Best of the year” awards. careful selection of the newest up-and-coming acts out of nashville, new york and austin brings jazz, country, blues, comedy, rock and roll, bluegrass, vintage film series and everything in between. you’ll see it all at the don Gibson theatre.

Culinary BBQ and livermush! that is what we are known for so there is no use denying it. even people from other areas have heard of the unspoken BBQ competition between the two Bridges BBQ restaurants. that debate will continue through the ages and guests have to make their own decision on which will be the favorite. award-winning BBQ restaurants dot cleveland county, as do fish camps, family seafood restaurants where you can find the freshest catch battered in cornmeal and deep fried. cleveland county hosts two state BBQ competitions annually. the annual Firehouse north carolina BBQ championship cook-off is held in april at the ymca in Kings mountain. november is the time for the Kansas city royal qualifying nc State BBQ championship known as the Hog Happnin’ which takes place at the cleveland county Fairgrounds. livermush is a favorite regional dish served primarily as a breakfast meat. locals are known to say, “if i have to explain it, you won’t get it” when it comes to this delicacy. livermush was most likely brought south through the appalachian mountains by German settlers. livermush

is colloquially known as poor man’s pâté. the annual livermush expo is held in october in uptown Shelby on the historic court square. most family style restaurants in cleveland county serve livermush.

Sports cleveland county hosts countless amateur and semi-pro sports competitions with facilities to accommodate swimming, soccer, baseball, golf, motocross racing, dirt track auto racing, rodeo, marathon, triathlon, drag racing and basketball events. in 2008, Shelby became the first city in history to host both the american legion regional championship and the World Series in the same location. Bidding for the 2011 american legion World Series, Shelby hopes to receive baseball lovers from all over the world again.

Seasons agritourism is a specialty of the county with a mixture of rural sight-seeing venues. pick-your-own farms, vineyards and organic farms dot the landscape along with certified roadside markets during harvest seasons. the Shelby corn maze is particularly popular during october when it is haunted, as is the Bar H rodeo Haunted Hayride. the Foothills Farmers market is a sesonal open-air market which operates on the historic court square in uptown Shelby. the smell of fresh baked bread and fried pies fill the air as shoppers select the fresh picked produce, cut flowers and A SlICE Of HISTORY Metcalf Station is one of several museums in Cleveland County.

It portrays a former narrow gauge railway and is located on one of North Carolina’s Scenic Byways.

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History & Culture

hormone-free meats of their choice. the holidays are an especially festive time in cleveland county. every Friday in december you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride under the twinkling lights of the live oaks that line uptown Shelby’s historic court square. First national Bank sponsors the Santa House and Santa’s toy land on the square to delight children of all ages. Kings mountain’s downtown is alive with activity during the annual mountaineer christmas in december and Santa can also be sighted at the phifer cabin along the trail of the Broad river Greenway. cleveland county hosts over 100 festivals annually. the Foothills merry Go round Festival is the largest, held the fourth weekend in april. Shelby city park hosts the two-day event with food vendors, games, live entertainment, craft vendors and rides. arts on the Square is held the same date on the lawn of the historic court square in uptown Shelby.

Boiling Springs and Gardner-Webb university team up for Springs alive on the university’s campus in april. memorial day weekend goes to the dogs with the

nc championship Sheep dog trials held in lawndale every may. no matter what the season, there is always something to do in cleveland county.

Contact Us the cleveland county visitor center is the first point of contact for many guests and newcomers. the visitor center is located in cleveland mall on Highway 74. the chamber of commerce office also has guest information available, it is located at 200 S. lafayette Street in the historic district of uptown Shelby. information can be obtained at

www.TourClevelandCounty.com. tour cleveland county can be reached at

1-866-305-9973 toll free.

HISTORY STIll BEING MADE Top: Opening Cerremony at the 2008 American Legion World Series held on the campus of Shelby High School. Above: Locally grown produce found at the Farmers Market is always a treat.

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The City of Shelby is a unique community with genuine small town character. We pride ourselves on maintaining a quality of life that stands in stark contrast to the nearby heavily congested metropolitan areas. Shelby is an excellent place to call home if you desire a short commute to Charlotte and seek friendly, courteous and attractive surroundings that only Shelby can offer.

Our community is full of small town charm yet rich with amenities, such as comprehensive healthcare facilities and an abundance of quality housing in safe, friendly neighborhoods. Shelby has excellent park and recreation facilities with local art, cultural, and entertainment events held throughout the year. Shelby’s first-rate schools benefit from strong community support and commitment to quality education for all children.

Visit Shelby’s Uptown and experience our commitment in preserving the past and keeping it a vital part of the city. The Uptown Business and Historic District, a model business community with a thriving economy, has become the historic and cultural heart of the city; in fact, downtown revitalization has drawn state and national attention.

Experience Pleasant Living − Experience Shelby

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300 South Washington Street • Shelby, NC 28150 704.484.6800 • www.cityofshelby.com

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text By marK alan HudSon

Business & Industry in Cleveland County

neStled in tHe FootHillS of north carolina, cleveland county is strategically located in the triangle between charlotte and asheville, north carolina and Greenville/ Spartanburg, South carolina. this area is not only rich with views and attractions – steep mountains in one direction, wide beaches in the other, and topped-off with a surrounding array of bustling metropolitan centers, all close enough to be forever tempting day-trippers, it is also literally in the crosshairs of our state’s transportation networks. in short, cleveland county’s location is ideally suited for business and commerce.

But competition for business is fierce, both in retention of current operations and in the recruitment of new or existing companies to locate here. competition has always been here but now it is not limited to simply a local, state or national stage; it is a world wide playing field. the economy, and the competition that goes along with it, will likely continue becoming more complex. to 16

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succeed in this brave new world, even the smallest of businesses need to be able to compete if they are to thrive and survive. recognizing the need to be competitive, businesses have learned that cooperation and collaboration are key components of success in today’s marketplace. in cleveland county, past efforts to attract and retain business were sometimes successful but were not often coordinated among the various governmental and private entities working in this arena. more recently, governmental, civic and business leaders throughout the county worked together to develop a consistent and unified strategy for business development. the result was the cleveland county economic development partnership (ccedp), a public/private partnership that works to retain and develop business throughout all of cleveland county. in just a few short years, the county’s competitive standing has become the envy of many other areas throughout the state and region.

RECRUITMENT SUCCESS Above: CCEDP delivered a big coup for economic development in late 2009 with the announcement of a Duke Energy Training Center for the County’s industrial park. Above Right: Machine Builders & Design, with customers across the country, is one of the successful small companies located in the county.

Business & Industry

despite a troubling economy, 2009 was a year that marked success on a number of fronts, ranging from businesses making decisions to stay, businesses making decisions to expand and businesses making a commitment to relocate to the county. in June, the county got its first big dose of good news for 2009 with the announcement that Baldor electric company, an international supplier of industrial electric motors, mechanical power transmission products, drives and generators, would be expanding its base of operations in the county. the three year project is expected to add over 100 jobs and entail more than $12 million of capital investment. the year closed on a high note with the announcement by duke energy that it would be building a 150,000 square foot training center in the cleveland industrial park during 2010. Known as “project catalyst” during the yearlong negotiations that ultimately led to the selection of the

“We moved from Charlotte because we thought Cleveland County was not only a good place for a business, but a great place to raise kids. And we were right.” – mason venable, Owner, American Restoration cleveland county location, the duke energy operation is expected to serve as just that for the county, a catalyst for the development of other associated service and retail operations. in commenting on the project during the public announcement, duke energy carolinas’ president Brett carter, said, “We are pleased to expand our longstanding partnership with cleveland county through a new effort – our generation support center. this facility will be important as we continue preparing and training a skilled workforce to maintain and modernize the sophisticated power plants that serve our customers.”

the importance of the ccedp in bringing the project to the county was highlighted by Kristen Fletcher, the partnership’s executive vice president, who noted that, “this announcement truly exemplifies the significant amount of collaboration that took place between our economic development group, county commissioners, and local elected officials while in pursuit of this project. We are working diligently and aggressively to diversify our local economy, and most importantly, we are trying to create new jobs so that we can get people back to work! duke’s news kicks off the first of many projects that we are close to experience cleveland county

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Business & Industry

announcing.” county commissioner eddie Holbrook added, “duke energy has again proven to be a great corporate citizen for cleveland county. this project is a true catalyst for the development of the Highway 74 interchange. it is our belief that the significance of this project will greatly enhance the county’s commitment for future development at that interchange. “ While these projects were important good news for the local business climate, they were not the only good news as dozens of new businesses opened their doors throughout cleveland county during 2009 and included not only big firms but a wide variety of smaller business operations that included manufacturing, service and retail establishments. cleveland county is home to many diverse and unique businesses. one of these is machine Builders & design (mB & d) of Shelby.

When you reach for those delectable frosted cookies at your local market, it probably never crosses your mind that

a cleveland county company builds machines that put those tasty treats together and even assembles them for packaging! machine Builders & design manufactures those machines at its rural cleveland county plant. From this location, it also markets cookie and cracker assembly and packaging machines to over 40 countries around the world. president darryl mims, son of company founder Herman “Bud” mims, explains that one of their flagship machines, the “cookie capper,” is used in over 300 applications globally. “it’s our worldwide leader in providing a simple and highly flexible solution to our customers,” he says. in fact, the company’s motto, “under-commit but over-deliver” undergirds mB & d’s operating philosophy of giving customers more than they pay for. another unique business is paul owen’s Slightly different nursery, located just north of polkville in a gently rolling farmland setting.

visit during peak growing season and you’re likely to see him working barefooted and wearing shorts, a tee shirt and ball cap. though owen looks and acts like a “laid back” guy, it takes only a few moments to realize he’s a motivated and hard worker.

(formerly Commercial Data Systems)

• Same day equipment service.

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• Network services available.

410 N. Post Road Shelby, NC

704-482-4006 Fax 704-482-7769 www.berrybusinessmachines.com

SERVING THE AREA FOR OVER 30 YEARS!

Financial Planning Income Tax Fee Only Investment Advice Registered Investment Advisor Certified Public Accountants Your Trusted Advisor 704.482.2001 GRAGGANDGRAGG.COM

Business & Industry

lOCATION, lOCATION, lOCATION Paul Owen moved his nursery operations from Pennsylvania to a former horse farm near Polkville. He was looking for mountain views, a temperate four season climate and a vibrant community. He’s never regretted his decision.

305 E. Warren St., Shelby, NC

Courtesy of Broad River Highlands

o t e m o c l e . . . y t W n u o C d n a l e v e l C

Gail Bell 704-472-4087

Don Costner 704-472-8052

Stan Martin 704-692-0043

George Blue 704-460-8101

Linda Ford 704-472-7674

Barbara Moore 704-418-1919

Donna Connor 704-471-9378

Sharice Latham 704-477-0602

Carol Schenck 704-692-8688

Courtesy of Tom Greene Photography and Custom Framing

Courtesy of Broad River Highlands

Meet the agents who will help you find your new home.

www.allentate.com • 888-215-9274

Business & Industry

CREATING A lIVING lEGACY Every year, Paul Owen names one of his new varieties for a Cleveland County location or person to show his appreciation for his new home and new community.

But he also appreciates the beauty that surrounds him at the former horse farm that is now his nursery. the story of how it came to be is an interesting one. “i used to be a travel writer,” owen says, and through his work, he “realized the type of place i wanted to live.” that place would have mountain views and access to transportation and shipping that would support his hybridized daylily business. While he operated a nursery first in pennsylvania, he knew he wanted to work and live in a warmer climate. the search quickly narrowed to north carolina. He’d lived here as a teen and

loved the culture. He also loved having four distinct seasons. and the great mountain views.

He narrowed down potential sites by climate, views, nearby towns and transportation access. a visit to cleveland county greatly impressed him; shortly thereafter, he found the farm. that was four years ago. today, owen’s nursery boasts more than 1500 varieties of daylily, many he’s developed. much of his business is through on-line sales but he still greatly enjoys interacting with customers visiting the nursery.

When asked what he’s proudest of

about the nursery, he does not relate his personal successes. instead, he says, “i’m proud that i have been able to integrate my creativity with God’s creation.” a slightly different approach for a businessman perhaps, but it’s a good one. another unusual and interesting business is american restoration, a firm that helps families and businesses cleanup after disaster strikes. imagine a fire rips through your home, blackening the interior with smoke, showering soot over furniture and belongings and gutting walls and floors. the very thought of where to start can

Cleveland Women’s Network

A professional networking organization for women in all stages of their careers dedicated to fostering personal and professional growth and encouraging participation and recognition in the Cleveland County Chamber. CWN offers networking, educational and social events for women working in Cleveland County.

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Business & Industry

be overwhelming. that’s where american restoration comes in. the business, located on Wendover Height’s road in Shelby, specializes in assisting when disaster strikes. “We specialize in working with insurance companies and emergency damages,” said owner mason venable. venable, along with his wife and two children, have been living in cleveland county since mid ‘90s when he bought the company, which originally specialized in insurance restoration work. part of the reason he is in the restoration business is the opportunity to make a difference. “the business is basically about helping people in catastrophic times so they can continue on with their life while we deal with the damage,” he said. “We know that life has to go on. this isn’t something you can plan ahead for.”

TRANSfORMING DISASTERS INTO NORMAl Mason Venable’s American Restoration assists individuals and businesses that suffer damage to their buildings and possessions. Venable and his team take great satisfaction in helping others restore normalcy to their lives and businesses.

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Every Patient, Every Day, Always

We ar e proud to pro vide a highly specialized health care resource to our community and applaud all those 1

experience cleveland involved for county the degree

of commitment and planning required to make us first in Cleveland County.

Cleveland County’s First Choice in HealthCare

Level III Trauma Center North Carolina’s first Level III Trauma Center, the Emergency Department at Cleveland Regional Medical Center is open 24 hours a day, every day. This designation means that the Emergency Department is equipped and staffed to handle all emergency situations. For more information call 980-487-3798.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Our Wound Healing Center features Cleveland County’s first hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a treatment in which the patient breathes 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber to enhance the healing process.

HBOT delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the bloodstream and is an important tool for treating problem wounds. For more information call 980-487-3400.

Digital Mammography Cleveland County’s first digital mammography offers advanced screening and diagnostic mammograms.

The system also features ImageChecker® technology that significantly enhances detection of abnormalities.

Since early detection is key to surviving breast cancer, this is an important screening service for local women.

For more information call 980-487-3141.

Cleveland Regional Medical Center: 980-487-3000 Kings Mountain Hospital: 980-487-5000 www.ClevelandCountyHealthCareSystem.org

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text By BoB mori

Arts & Education in Cleveland County

cleveland county encompasses the 24th largest school district in the state with over 16,000 students. the district’s 29 modern facilities include 16 elementary schools, two intermediate schools, four middle schools, four high schools, an early college high school, a school for special needs students and an alternative school With strong parent and community involvement, the cleveland county school system employs almost 2,300 full-time staff, including 1,500 certified teachers, faculty and administrators.

Academic Opportunities cleveland county Schools offer a diversified curriculum to meet the needs and interests of all students. a wide selection of Honors and advanced placement courses are offered to High School students. among these are dual enrollment programs offered in conjunction with cleveland community college.

Since technology is an integral part of learning, over 4,000 school computers are both internet and district-wide area network connected, providing a ratio of one computer to every three students. cleveland county schools join high schools throughout the state by also providing a wide variety of online courses offered through the nc virtual public High School and learn and earn online.

Safe, Caring Environment ongoing security procedures ensure that cleveland county schools provide a safe learning environment free of threats, intimidation and drugs.

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Higher Education cleveland county boasts two exceptional higher education institutions. cleveland community college, a public, comprehensive, two-year institution, is located a few blocks from the county’s main traffic artery, u.S. route 74. GardnerWebb university, located in nearby Boiling Springs, is a private, christian four-year university offering graduate studies.

STACkS AND STACkS Cleveland County is home to great schools. These include pre-schools, elementary schools, high schools, a community college and a four-year university.

Sp e c i a l ad ve r t i si n g S e c t i o n

Great Expectations

704-481-1788 2221 S. Post Road Shelby, NC 28152

If YOU’RE WARM in the winter and cool in the summer, what more should you ask of your heating and air conditioning supplier?

How about integrity, professionalism and a commitment to community? customers don’t have to ask for those benefits from Settle Heating & air -- they come as part of the deal. david Settle has been working in heating and air conditioning service since he got out of the u.S. navy in 1986. He and his wife cindy, both north carolina natives, founded Settle Heating & air in 1998 to offer service to cleveland and surrounding counties and to part of South carolina. in the decade-plus since then they have demonstrated they have a heart for the community in which they live. in addition to pledging a high standard of service and employees dedicated to their customers, the Settles state in their company mission Statement: “our purpose is to operate Settle Heating & air as a christian faith-based company striving to improve our community.” through the years, david and cindy, members of putnam Baptist church in Shelby, have contributed to causes as varied as ymca soccer teams, paid internships for high school and college students, and the Junior charity league clothing room, which provides clothes for local children in need from kindergarten through high school.

Settle Heating & air also sponsors alive after Five, Shelby’s summer fun program for all ages held on downtown streets once a month for five months each year. When Shelby hosted the american legion World Series in 2008, the Settles contributed 10,000 bottles of water to be sold at the stadium to help pay for the event. they expect to participate again if the city wins the bid for the 2011-2014 World Series. the company also supports the pregnancy resource center and the crossroads rescue mission, plus Hands on missions, a locally based organization that hosts revivals and Bible School programs, ministers to children all over the world and provides medical services to impoverished people.

“We do a lot of small sponsorships with a lot of ministries around the county,” david says. as a member of the board of directors for the Home Builders assocaition of cleveland county, david has been active in the assocation’s Hog Happenin’, an annual barbecue championship at the cleveland county Fairgrounds. “the last couple of years, we’re raised approximately $25,000 each time to give to the children’s Homes of cleveland county,” he says. david and cindy Settle recently announced a project that has them excited about its

For more information on the Settle Community Scholorship or the products & services provided by Settle Heating & Air visit:

potential impact -- the Settle community Scholarship. this annual fund is to be distributed to students at all four of cleveland county’s high schools. the first scholarships will be awarded in may 2010. the Settles have pledged a minimum of $500 per school; the total amount depends on their customers.

From may 1 of one year to april 30 of the next year, the Settles will build the fund by setting aside 2 percent of the sale of every replacement heating and air conditioning unit sold in cleveland county by Settle Heating and air. the person purchasing the unit designates which high school will receive that money. each school will recommend three students for scholarships, and the Settles will select final recipients. By mid-october 2009, all four funds had surpassed the $500 mark. “i’m looking forward to it; i’m excited about it; i really believe in it,” david says. “it’s really a big thing on my heart since i’ve got a daughter in college and i see what a help it is (she has a teaching fellowship scholarship). if every small business would look at what they give the government in taxes and consider giving it to the schools for scholarships instead (the scholarship money is tax deductible), it would take care of a lot of students. it benefits our community and that’s what we’re supposed to be about.”

www.settleinwithcomfort.com

Arts & Education

intramural sports imaginable. GWu is Gardner-Webb University at Gardner-Webb university, professors also a division-i university with 21 come from institutions like yale, Harvard intercollegiate sports. Some alumni have and vanderbilt. Students hail from 37 gone on to become professional athletes states and 23 foreign countries. Graduates and one even brought home a Super Bowl go on to become business leaders, award- ring. a GWu men’s basketball team once winning educators, missionaries, world- won 88 consecutive games and even beat class athletes and even White House the likes of the university of Kentucky Wildcats. cabinet members. the university has an extensive Begun as Boiling Springs High School in 1905, Gardner-Webb university has undergraduate program plus numerous become a nationally recognized institution graduate programs including a business offering associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s school, a divinity school and a graduate Gardner-Webb also offers and doctoral degrees. With 130 full-time school. faculty members, the university offers doctorates in the School of education and 45 different fields of study with a 13:1 the School of divinity. u.S. news & World report ranks GWu student/professor ratio. at Gardner-Webb, students have the among the best colleges in the south. opportunity to interact with people of GWu students go on to study at Harvard, various backgrounds, viewpoints, and princeton, emory and oxford.

Gardner-Webb university has been nationalities. Study abroad programs, with destinations like Sweden or Germany, and nationally recognized as a character mission trips halfway around the world are building institution. through its office of community engagement, students are commonplace at GWu. at GWu there are more than 50 clubs involved in community outreach and and organizations, plus every kind of volunteerism with organizations like the exper ad horz:ad experience horz 10/13/09 4:24 PM Page 1

Leader in Christian Higher Education in the Southeast Comprehensive university granting Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Degrees Nationally recognized academic achievement Competitive in NCAA Division I athletics Nationally accredited professional schools

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www.gardner-webb.edu Boiling Springs, NC 28017 (800) 253-6472 experience cleveland county

united Way, the Salvation army and Habitat for Humanity.

Gardner-Webb seeks a higher ground in higher education - one that embraces faith and intellectual freedom, balances conviction with compassion, and inspires in students a love of learning, service, and leadership.

WHERE lEADERS ARE MADE The main entrance into Gardner-Webb University, a four-year institution offering a wide variety of majors, including the MBA program offered through the John Godbold School of Business.

Arts & Education

SpORTS, fRIENDS AND STUDY Left: Gardner-Webb Football. Above: Students study outside on a warm spring day at the center of campus.

106 East Mountain Street Kings Mountain, NC 704-739-3611 www.warlickandhamrickinsurance.com

Arts & Education

Cleveland Community College cleveland community college is dedicated to serving the higher education and training needs of citizens, fostering economic development, and improving the quality of life in cleveland county and the surrounding area. ccc, founded in 1965, is part of the nationally recognized north carolina community college System. the college serves more than 13,000 students each year. ccc offers a diverse set of programs designed to meet the needs of all citizens of cleveland county. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university have the opportunity to obtain an associate of arts or associate in science degree.

Students completing these degrees are guaranteed entrance as a junior at any of north carolina’s 16 public institutions and many of its private colleges. in addition to the college transfer programs, ccc offers the associate in applied science degree, with 30 technical specialty areas, providing career education to students and a skilled labor force for local employers. one-year diploma and certificate programs provide educational training in a variety of areas including auto body repair, machining, basic law enforcement training, and numerous construction trades. allied

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health programs include associate degree nursing, (rn), radiography, practical nursing (lpn), surgical technology and phlebotomy. continuing education programs include customized training programs designed to meet the needs of business and industry in cleveland county. ccc also offers the career readiness certificate. this portable credential guarantees that a potential employee has the skills to be successful. these programs are a key component in the county’s economic development. cleveland community college is proud to be the educational institution authorized to train all law enforcement, firefighters, rescue personnel and volunteers. they receive their training at the Brown emergency training center, one of the finest training facilities in the region and the first in the state to be named an advanced emS education institution. the Small Business center, recognized in 2009 as the best in the state, offers seminars and individual counseling in all areas of owning and operating a small business. cleveland community college also offers adult literacy programs including Ged preparation, adult High School, and english as a Second language.

EDUCATION IS A pRIORITY Top: Cleveland Community College’s Bailey Center was dedicated during 2009. Above: Students in the Construction program work on a project.

Building Futures clevelandcommunitycollege.edu 704-484-4000 138 South Post Road • Shelby, NC 28152

AN ARRAY Of pROGRAMS Above: Welding program graduates of CCC are in high demand as are students in its various medical programs.

Arts & Education

The Cleveland County Arts Council the work of the ccac is two-fold. the council serves 23 arts affiliates and associates organizations as an agent of the north carolina arts council. in addition, the council sponsors arts activities for the citizens of cleveland county. through the efforts of executive director Shearra miller, marketing director violet arth, office coordinator Kern philip, and hundreds of volunteers and supporters, a rich arts community has evolved in the county with activities and exhibits year round. the ccac is located at 111 S. Washington St. on uptown Shelby’s historic old court square. the building itself is the old Shelby post office, built in 1916 and restored since the council moved there in 1992. the arts council was formed in 1986 and was first housed in the tiny well house building on the square. the arts council serves the public directly in many areas. Staff members host classes and workshops throughout the year and a summer art camp for students and children. they provide arts enrichment in the schools by sponsoring nine performing arts events for local students each year. they administer grants and scholarships for both students and adults. in addition, the council sponsors and cosponsors arts events in the county. among the many events are the real to reel Film Festival, the art of Sound music Festival and the carolina pottery Festival.

The Real to Reel film festival is held in July of each year at the Joy performance center in Kings mountain. the four-day festival highlights the work of about 35 filmmakers selected from over 200 international entries. Filmmakers and film enthusiasts from around the world attend. www.realtoreelfest.com.

The Art of Sound Music festival is held each october. Streets and lobbies in uptown Shelby are filled with sweet sounds during this three-day event. Bluegrass, rock, country and a host of other genre can be enjoyed, showcasing local, regional, and national talent. Workshops and master classes are also offered. Find out more at www.artofsoundcc.com.

The Carolina pottery festival is a delight for all who enjoy pottery. this event comes to the cleveland county Fairgrounds each november. Known throughout the carolinas, the festival represents over a hundred local and regional potters. it gives the artists a chance to show their best work, and the public can admire and purchase unique works of art. For more information, go to www.carolinapotteryfestival.com or call vicki Gill at 704-824-9928. in addition to providing many events and activities, the arts council also serves as a consortium of local arts organizations. among the 23 affiliates and associate member groups are Buffalo creek Gallery, carolina Scribes, cleveland county choral Society, Foothills Quilters Guild, Greater

Shelby community theatre, Kings mountain little theatre, and the Southern arts Society.

Buffalo Creek Gallery is located at 104 e. Warren St. on the uptown Shelby court square. it is a members/artists co-op and gallery where the best of local visual arts can be viewed and purchased.

Go to www.buffalocreekgallery.com or call 704-487-0256 for more information.

Carolina Scribes is a local writers’ group for ages high school through adult. aspiring writers, both amateur and professional, are invited to join. the group meets monthly at the arts center to share their work and developmental exercises. the group’s co-chairs are Gilda pruitt and pat anderson. For more information contact the arts council at www.ccartscouncil.org or 704-484-2787.

Cleveland County Choral Society is a choral group which meets weekly to enjoy singing. everyone is invited to participate. the society offers two or three public performances annually. to find out more, contact Jack Breen or meloni Wray 704-481-0460 or 704-484-4802. foothills Quilters Guild meets monthly to share ideas and techniques. this is a very popular art group with the public. the guild’s bi-annual fall quilt show is a highlight for many. For more information, visit www.foothillsquiltersguild.org.

Greater Shelby Community Theatre was formed in 1976 and has continu-

fROM THE EARTH Samples of pottery seen at the Carolina Pottery Festival and also displayed at local galleries including Buffalo Creek Gallery.

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ally provided live theatre for local citizens. most of their performances are held at cleveland community college auditorium, though they have also performed in other venues. the group offers four performances per season. Season tickets purchased from either of the county’s two theatre groups are valid for both groups, as well as some performances in surrounding counties. new members are always welcome. the group’s website is www.gsct.org or call 704-480-8495. kings Mountain little Theatre has a home at the Joy performance center in downtown Kings mountain. this group has a long history and offers four performances annually. new members are always welcome and the public is invited to the many performances and activities provided by the group. See www.kmlt.org or call Jim champion at 704-730-9408 for information.

Southern Arts Society is a non-profit consortium of regional working visual artists. they began in 1986 with a mission

to enrich artists in their work and to provide the public access to quality visual arts from local and regional artists. the group meets monthly at the Kings mountain art center, 301 piedmont ave. visitors are welcome. Find out more at www.southernartssociety.org or call 704-739-5585. the arts council hosts eight to ten exhibits in the gallery every year. Special events are also held there, including the Big chill, which is a celebration of the arts in January; treasures of the earth pottery Show and Bowling for dollars in February; an annual county-wide Student art competition; the annual cleveland county artist competition, and a Holiday art Sale in december.

For more information on the council’s activities, affiliates, arts in education and, artist in Schools programs, visit the web site at www.ccartscouncil.org or call 704-484-2787.

AH, THE jOY Of THE THEATER Kings Mountain’s iconic retro theater, is home to the Real to Reel Festival, an international film festival.

[Mary Lopez was a contributor to this section]

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We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.

We Now Serve the Following Schools:

Bethware Boiling Springs East Elizabeth Graham James Love Jefferson Marion Three Union Washington West Kings Mt Intermediate Kings Mt, Burns, Crest and Shelby Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy

Visit www.clevecoymca.org or drop by your local YMCA for more information

Helping all people reach their God given potential in spirit, mind and body.

text By marK alan HudSon

Travel & Tourism in Cleveland County

WHat iS it tHat maKeS a place a home? is the quality of life measured simply by money and things? or is it something more, something intrinsic to the way time is spent when away from career, school or other obligations?

For the nearly 100,000 people that live in cleveland county, a comfortable and rewarding life is a goal, but how it is achieved is far removed from what many people who live elsewhere experience. instead of long commutes, snarled traffic 34

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and lines for everything, cleveland county, nestled in the beautiful foothills of the South mountains, offers a slower and more measured pace of life. there is the bounty of natural pursuits, there are outdoor attractions that rival those anywhere else, and the arts and culture thrive. these are the treasures that can be found in our own backyard and we have only to open our eyes to realize the bounty of that treasure. So dig deep and explore the riches to be found throughout the borders of the

fUN & HISTORY Left: Shelby’s historic carrousel at City Park. Right: An example of one of the state and national parks in the area.

Travel & Tourism

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK ALAN HUDSON

THE BEAUTY Of NATURE High Shoals Falls inside of the South Mountain State Park, where great hiking and picnicking can be found.

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Travel & Tourism

county named for a revolutionary War hero. you might want to start with nature. it is our beginning in so many ways. cleveland county’s history is steeped in agriculture and even when the beginnings of industry appeared, the land and the water have been important for success. today, agriculture is still with us and even some aspects of that is “tourist oriented” but the lands and nature play a new role in our lives today. it is an asset we have learned to nurture, protect and use to fulfill our lives. it is experienced through parks and greenspace such as the Broad river Greenway near Boiling Springs. this linear park, developed through unique public/ private collaboration, contains nearly 1,500 acres and boasts more than 20 miles of trails and facilities used by walkers, hikers, cyclists and equestrians, picnickers, swimmers and fishermen. its interpretive and special programs delight thousands of visitors annually. opening just last year is the Kings mountain Gateway trail. more than six

years in the planning, the trail is located just south of Kings mountain and has more than two miles of finished trails with another four in the planning stages. the trailhead has restroom facilities and picnic tables. plans call for the trail to link to the carolina thread trail as well as to the nearby crowders mountain State park, the Kings mountain State park and the Kings mountain national military park.

Shirley Brutko, president of Kings mountain Gateway trails, inc., is very proud of what has already been accomplished with the trail, noting it “is a collaborative effort by many people truly dedicated to the outdoors, protecting the natural environment, providing a place for recreation, and preserving land for ourselves and for future generations!” parks are certainly plentiful to cleveland county residents; in fact, there are two national military parks and eight state parks within a one-hour drive of Shelby, the county seat, not to mention local parks within its towns and cities.

For others who love the outdoors, there

is a wide variety of pursuits, including the ubiquitous golf course: there are at least eight 18-hole regulation courses, and a nine-hole municipal course in Shelby, as well as a par-3 course. if you like to run or bike, the county’s rural nature offers quiet byways and great scenery for your adventure. Walking trails in and around the towns make a lazy evening stroll an enjoyable pursuit for many. many of the amateur athletes in the county have competed well in their passions away from home, as well as in the annual “over the mountain” triathlon in Kings mountain, which is nationally ranked in terms of the quality of the event and the challenge it presents competitors. mark Brackett, a county employee who loves cycling and has won competitions away from home, still enjoys riding the roads here the most. “We’ve got the best roads you could hope for with hills and climbing in the north and gently rolling or relatively flat roads elsewhere with beautiful scenery and great views everywhere,” he says.

Visit Us Online: TourClevelandCounty.com THE GATEWAY TO: * 5 state parks * Asheville * Charlotte * Spartanburg/Greenville * The Perfect Fall Getaway * Themed Bed & Breakfasts * Lodging to fit all budgets * Art Galleries & Open Studios

Call For FREE Travel Guide Toll Free: (866) 305-9973

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK ALAN HUDSON

Travel & Tourism

NATURAl pURSUITS Left: Open in late 2009, the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail offeres great views, walking trails and glimpses of wildlife. Right: View of Crowders Mountain which is home to great trails, rock climbing, canoeing, fishing and camping.

For those who enjoy more organized activities, the county has three excellent ymca facilities. programs are geared to all ages and organized youth sports are highlights. youth baseball, football and soccer are in community leagues as well as the Shelby city park. also here are restored and historic icons from days gone by – a fully functional carrousel and a scale model railroad.

But for all the things to get out and explore, there are just as many things to enjoy by watching, or volunteering to help. local high schools are always a good bet; county teams have won more than their fair share of state championships in many sports.

as bountiful as cleveland county’s natural treasures and athletic pursuits are, they are only a small part of the myriad jewels of experience to be gleaned. other gems include the arts and culture, with every part of the county having something unique to add to the fabric of life that makes cleveland county so special.

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We can’t stop loving you either!

Our relationship with Uptown just keeps getting stronger For almost 30 years the Uptown Shelby Association has been generating excitement in the Uptown heart of our city. As one of America's first Main Street communities, Uptown Shelby Association has worked hard to encourage new business, hold events and concerts, build support for local business, and continually improve the quality of life for our fair city.

If you are new to the area and looking to find the best shopping and dining around, check our online guides for information. Or if you want to launch a new business in one of the most charming and vital business districts around, Uptown Shelby Association can link you to resources and assistance you need to become part of our love affair with Shelby.

• New Business Planning & Incentives • Design Assistance • Historic Preservation & Re-Use • Festivals & Concerts • Arts Events & Seasonal Parades

For more information, contact: Wade Nichols, Executive Director Allison Gragg, Marketing Director Uptown Shelby Association, Inc. 211 South Trade Street Shelby, NC 28150 Phone: 704.484.3100 Fax: 704.484.3934 www.uptownshelby.org

Accessibility.

Affordability.

Livability.

C

leveland County Economic Development Partnership has been actively recruiting new industry and creating a healthy and diverse environment for existing, expanding, and new businesses, as well as increase job opportunities for more than 5 years.

One of Cleveland County’s finest boasting points is its location. Nestled in the rolling hills of the southwestern piedmont of North Carolina, we are the gateway between Asheville and Charlotte, and centered between two of the largest metro areas of the Carolinas – Charlotte and Greenville, SC. Small town charm with big cities only 30 minutes away.

Cleveland County public officials are committed to maintaining low property taxes. As a pro-business community, our county and local municipalities work diligently to ensure that local property taxes are competitive in our region.

Lifestyle in the Cleveland County community means relaxing, family-oriented and simple. Where there are over 100 festivals held annually and always a place to meet the locals; where lakes, parks, greenways, wineries and trails make Cleveland County a great place to call home.

200 S. Lafayette St. | Shelby, NC 28150 704.487.8521 | www.CCEDP.com

faith & Community in Cleveland County

in cleveland county our citizens sound like a broken record. repeatedly, one will hear about the wonderful, giving people that reside here. While this is the kind of marketing many communities will do to put a great spin on their area, the claim that the citizens in cleveland county are kind and caring can be substantiated. it is argued that one of the reasons for the friendly, giving spirit is the deep commitment to faith. Faith and religion are vital to our citizens and they want to share it with their friends and neighbors. picturesque churches dot the landscape in every corner of the country. large, historic churches can be seen in the heart of uptown Shelby, downtown Kings mountain, and Boiling Springs. Small country churches are nestled in the rolling hills and even the most remote parts of the county. along with a strong faith conviction, cleveland county citizens are generous. the united Way of cleveland county raises more funds for local nonprofit agencies than 40

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most communities our size. the cleveland county Healthcare System, cleveland county Schools, not-for-profits, and government are number one in the nation in per capita giving to the united Way. in addition, cleveland county citizens come together to raise phenomenal amounts of money for the american cancer Society’s relay for life, the american Heart association, education (cleveland county Schools, cleveland community college, and Gardner-Webb university) and the ymca. the community also gives its time and expertise. volunteers can be seen helping children ride horses at north Shelby School, picking up litter on the side of the road, ringing the bell for Salvation army, and coaching recreational soccer and little league Baseball.

fRIENDlY, GIVING SpIRITS Cleveland County has a diverse community that all come together as friends and neighbors.

PHOTOGRAPH BY TOM GREENE

faith & Community

STRONG CONVICTIONS Above Left: First Baptist Church of Shelby. Above Right: First Presbyterian Church of Kings Mountain.

Right: Shiloh Presbiterian Church located in Grover, NC.

“I am pleasantly overwhelmed by the sense of community that I have felt. Children’s Homes of Cleveland County is very fortunate to be the receipitent of support from numerous organizations and individuals. As fund Development Officer my job has been made more rewarding by the care and compassion shown by the community.”

– Stephanie Burrell Fund Development Officer Children’s Homes of Cleveland County

Hospice Watchman Program "The Watchman Program" is an extension of the ministry provided by churches and Hospice Cleveland County.

For more information about becoming a Hospice Watchman Volunteer call 704-487-4677. www.hospicecares.cc

Home Grown Serving Cleveland County Since 1977

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experience cleveland county

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text By Biill cameron

Sports & Recreation

PHOTOGRAPH BY AEROCAM, LLC

in Cleveland County

“tHere’S notHin’ to do in cleveland county.” Having grown up here, i heard this comment many times and may have uttered it myself a time or two as a teenager.

But let’s take a look at what you can do on the recreational scene here in good ole cleveland county. this view of local recreational activities will center around the fictional adams family.

Bob and Betty adams have just moved here along with their two kids, trey and tracy. What is there locally for them to do?

First of all, as a family, let’s see what choices they have. if they are an “outdoorsy” family, they have several choices. they could choose to hike, bike or ride horses on several outstanding trails in our county from the Broad river Greenway, the brand-new Gateway trail or crowder’s mountain State park’s trails to South mountain State park and Kings mountain national military park just outside our county’s boundaries. you can even choose to pitch a tent at these last three parks or on the banks of moss lake.

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or if you are very adventurous, you can go rock climbing on the cliffs at crowder’s mountain or rope climb at Gardner-Webb university’s rope course. the adams family could take in water sports by boating, skiing or fishing on moss lake’s 1,000 acres. or they could jump in the waters of the Broad river at the Greenway or even put in a canoe or float in tubes down the river for miles. if the adams family members like spectator sports, their choices are just as varied. they can see ncaa division 1 sporting events in 17 sports at Gardner-Webb university. the Bulldogs have hosted such FcS football powerhouses as appalachian State and Furman university. they could go see local teens play american legion baseball at Shelby and Kings mountain. Shelby post 82 hosted the legion World Series in 2008 and is in the bidding to do so again. High school football games on Friday nights draw huge crowds as the county’s four high schools vie yearly for play-off spots and

WHERE THE GREENS MEET THE BlUES Picturesque views and great golf course can be found all around Cleveland County.

Above: 13th hole at Deer Brook Golf Club in Shelby.

Sports & Recreation

A WIDE WORlD Of ACTIVITY Whatever your passion for sports or outdoor recreation, you are sure to find it in Cleveland County.

Sports & Recreation

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even state championships. other choices are numerous: swimming events and basketball, baseball, softball, tennis and soccer tournaments. if the adamses like auto sports, they can see dirt track racing at cleveland county motor Sports park or drag-racing at Shady Side dragway. they can even take in a demolition derby or rodeo at Bar H arena below Boiling Springs. let’s say that Bob and Betty like to not only watch sporting events but, participate in them as well. there are eight (yes, that’s right) golf courses in cleveland county, 3 from. including a par-3 course to choose you can play tennis at all the middle and high school courts along with courts at cleveland country club, cleveland community college and Gardner-Webb.

Boiling Springs, Kings mountain and Shelby have new ymcas with many sports available. Bob and Betty could play softball in rec leagues or in several church leagues. or when they hit 55 years in age, they can participate in the local Senior Games sponsored by the Senior center. these games cover everything from

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shuffleboard to the 100m dash.

6 the adams’ kids, trey and tracy, have choices just as varied. the local y’s offer many team sports as do the towns of polkville, Shelby, Kings mountain and Boiling Springs. Shelby city parks and recreation offers several sports leagues. trey could play baseball and tracy could choose fast-pitch softball in these community leagues. trey and tracy could play soccer in the Greater cleveland county Soccer association, which draws hundreds of players a year, or in upward Soccer leagues at local churches.

Basketball, tennis and swimming teams are other choices. Shelby city park also offers kids a chance to ride on a restored 1919 32-horse carrousel or in a mini-train 7 complete with its own depot. as you can see, “there is somethin’ to do in cleveland county” after all. So much so, that the adams family or any family just can’t get it all done. So jump right in and take advantage of all the recreational activities our great county has to offer.

Sports & Recreation

Magazine

text By marK alan HudSon

Health & Wellness in Cleveland County

all communitieS tHat are viBrant and progressive have many things to be proud of and that is certainly true for cleveland county. But few things can rival health care in terms of the impact that it has from the beginning of life to its conclusion.

Just a little over a century ago, healthcare delivery in cleveland county was the province of a small cadre of physicians, nurse mid-wives and other assorted “health� providers. the nearest hospitals, for those who needed such advanced care, were located in rutherford county and in charlotte.

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in the early 1920’s, a small group of physicians in Shelby decided the local population deserved, and could support, its own community hospital. in 1923, the Shelby Hospital was born. From that humble beginning, the provision and availability of health resources throughout the county have witnessed remarkable changes, which continue today.

While healthcare has become politicized, its delivery remains highly personal as well as increasingly local. to that end, cleveland county boasts a wide array of health care options from traditional providers such as

fROM BEGINNING TO END A wide array of excellent health providers offer the citizens of Cleveland County general and specialized medical services along the continuum of care from the beginning of life to its conclusion.

Health & Wellness

hospitals and physicians to organizations that were not even in existence only 50 years ago. naturally, the most noticeable providers are the county’s three hospitals, due to their sheer size and physical presence in their communities as well as the services they provide. the facilities are cleveland regional medical center in Shelby, Kings mountain Hospital in Kings mountain, and crawley memorial Hospital in Boiling Springs, all of which are part of the cleveland county Healthcare System (ccHS). each facility can boast of firsts locally. crawley memorial was the first local hospital, and one of the first in the state, to offer ‘swing-bed’ services, a hybrid of acute care and long term care. it has recently transitioned to a long term acute care (ltac) Hospital, again, one of only a few in north carolina. cleveland regional was the first level iii trauma center in north carolina and one of the first five to offer radiation therapy services. Kings mountain was the first in the county to offer inpatient Behavioral Health. ccHS also owns, operates or is affiliated

with other health entities through its Health care enterprise (Hce), a collaborative effort that coordinates and delivers health services across the continuum of care. this includes primary care, acute care, long term care and home health care. members of the Hce include cleveland pines nursing center (a 120-bed long-term care facility), Hospice cleveland county (the only Hospice in the state to have two inpatient units in one county), cleveland ambulatory Services (outpatient surgery and endoscopy), the cleco primary care network and cleveland Health ventures (each is a group of physician offices providing primary care) and Healthy @ Home (home health services). the Hce came together initially through affiliation agreements in the early 1990’s and has expanded its capabilities and outreach since that time. long term care facilities, clinics and specialized physician services are also accessible as well as the nationally recognized life enrichment center, a provider of adult day care services and programs offered in both Shelby and Kings mountain.

fROM HUMBlE BEGINNINGS Above: In 1923 the Shelby Hospital was born, today it is a worldclass hospital.

IS SOMEONE YOU KNOW SUFFERING? WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

How can I get Hospice Care?

At Hospice We Believe

If you or a loved one has been given 6 months or less to live call Hospice Cleveland County at 704-487-4677.

• Death is a natural part of life.

• An individual’s dignity must be honored.

• All individuals should have the best quality of life possible in their last days.

At Hospice We Provide • A team approach to care – hospice doctor, nurse, social worker, chaplain, aide, counselor and volunteer.

• Pain control and symptom management.

• Care to family members after the death of their loved one.

704-487-4677 • www.hospicecares.ccexperience cleveland county

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Award Winning HealthCare for Cleveland County

Joint Academy The Joint Academy is a specialized unit, bringing together nurses, physical therapists and other staff members who are hand-picked and specially trained to take care of joint replacement patients. The Joint Academy recently received its third consecutive 5-Star rating from PRC for excellence in patient satisfaction.

For more information call 980-487-3589.

Outpatient Surgery At both Kings Mountain Hospital and Cleveland Regional Medical Center, outpatient services have scored in the top 10% nationally in patient satisfaction.

New Outpatient Surgery facilities at both locations are fortunate to have specialized physicians and staff with extensive training and certifications. Support staff – such as radiology, pathology and respiratory therapy – helps us provide the best care possible.

Quality Performance Cleveland Regional Medical Center received three awards for Top Performance in the areas of Heart Failure, Acute Myocardial Infarction, and Hip and Knee Replacement. The Wall Street Journal and PBS have featured stories about our success. Hospitals across the Carolinas and one of the largest healthcare systems in England visited here to learn about our programs.

For more information call 980-487-3028.

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Cleveland Regional Medical Center: 980-487-3000 Kings Mountain Hospital: 980-487-5000 www.ClevelandCountyHealthCareSystem.org

Every Patient, Every Day, Always

Providing quality patient care is our primary mission and it’s a commitment we take very seriously. Congratulations to the staff, physicians and all those who take part in providing these award winning servicesexperience to our community. cleveland county

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Health & Wellness

the cleveland county Health department, recognized for both its excellence in services as well as leadership in health initiatives, is another major provider of health services and programs to citizens and businesses. it has also been an important collaborative partner in the development of prevention programs across the county. it, along with ccHS, was a founding and primary funding member of the alliance for Health. established in 1994, the affiliation has almost 50 organizations across the county working together to develop prevention strategies and programming. according to dotty leatherwood, vp for ccHS, the alliance for Health has become a model for other such efforts across the state and has also garnered some national attention. While clearly a good idea, it is something that not all communities can accomplish. “cleveland county is well known for our ability to collaborate,” says leatherwood. She notes that one of the primary drivers of success has been county-wide leadership. leatherwood characterizes the

collaborative spirit of the county through a simple phrase: “We do this because it is the right thing to do,” she says. Such efforts have led to positive results such as reduced heart disease rates, increased local treatment options for diabetes patients and drug and accident prevention programs for school-age children, among other successes.

Such prevention programs are increasingly important to individuals and communities supporting healthy lifestyles and life choices. But when illness comes, it’s good to have up-to-date technology, whether in the hospital setting or elsewhere along the continuum of care. this technology includes state-ofthe art radiation therapy, oncology services, hyperbaric oxygen wound treatment, cardiac catheterization, cardiac rehabilitation, joint academy, lithotripsy and high-end imaging services, such as digital mammography, mri and pet scanning among others. in the event a patient needs tertiary or quaternary level care, ccHS is aligned with the carolinas Healthcare System

HElp AT EVERY TURN Above: Kings Mountain Hospital is a full service hospital which provides services such as: Adult Behavioral Health, Diagnostic Services, Emergency Care, Pain Management, Radiology Services, Skilled Nursing and Surgical Services.

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for air transport services; in 2008, some 150 cleveland county patients used this service. as important a role as technology can play, it is cooperation and collaboration among all providers that is making an important advancement in the totality of health care delivery within cleveland county. this has been marked by the coming together of what were once three independent hospitals into one system. it has been marked by the communication and coordination of care and information among other organizations withv each other through the Health care enterprise. it has been marked by organizations providing health-related or impacting services working together on common goals of prevention and wellness through the alliance for Health. and it has been marked by those providing the hands-on care to patients, in whatever setting they are seen. accessibility, collaboration, cooperation, and comprehensiveness hallmark the cleveland county healthcare experience.

Sp e c i a l ad ve r t i si n g S e c t i o n

looking Ahead

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f you’re a cartoon character, seeing stars is fairly normal, occurring every time your nemesis bops you on the head with a hammer or you trip down a flight of stairs. it’s also common for your eyes to bulge way out of your head when you see something outrageous. and if you’re a baseball umpire, you have to get used to spectators who think you need spectacles.

But if you’re none of those and you see sudden flashes of light or spots before your eyes or halos around lights, it’s time to see an eye doctor.

For people in the Shelby area, three ophthalmologists (doctors who specialize in the anatomy, functions, pathology and treatment of the eyes) offer their expertise at Shelby eye center, 1170 Wyke road. dr. thomas d.

Bailey, dr. Stephen J. Bogan and dr. nancy e. cline are all certified by the american Board of ophthalmology. these surgeons and their staff provide comprehensive eye exams, not only to discover if you need glasses, contacts or laser vision correction, but also to detect and treat eye diseases. eye care is available for infants, children and adults of all ages. the american academy of ophthalmology recommends that infants have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months. if no problems are found, the next exam should be at age 3 or just prior to the child entering kindergarten; then, every two years. a child who needs eyeglasses or contacts should have a vision checkup annually or at time intervals recommended by his or her doctor. most people understand that eye exams should be more frequent as they age. as people get older, their eye lenses gradually become less elastic and close focusing power decreases. even if vision remains good, people 40 and older should have regular checkups. anyone with diabetes or high blood pressure should have an eye exam at least once a year.

cataract -- a gradual loss of transparency of the lens -- usually occurs later in life, as do glaucoma (abnormally high pressure in the eye) and macular degeneration of the retina, which causes an area of blindness in the center of the visual field. “cataract surgery is much more effective than is used to be,” says dr. Bailey, who has been with Shelby eye center since 1990. “our techniques are good, and they’re fast. often we can take somebody who’s been nearsighted or farsighted their whole life and give them good distance vision with cataract surgery. We also offer lens implants (reStor© and crystalens©) that can allow patients excellent near and distance vision without glaasses.

“We also follow cataract surgery with lasers. people who have had cataract surgery and have too much astigmatism, or are too farsighted or too nearsighted, can make their results better.” of interest to many patients who feel limited by glasses or contacts is laser vision correction, either laSiK (laser in situ keratomileusis) or prK (photorefractive keratectomy). the majority of people who are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism are candidates for successful laser vision correction, which improves the way the eye focuses light rays onto the retina. to learn more about Shelby eye center and its surgeons, visit www.ShelbyEyeCenter.com.

Here are brief statements about their medical training: dr. Bailey is a graduate of the u.S. air Force academy and Georgetown university School of medicine. He did his training in ophthalmology at Bowman Gray School of medicine, Wake Forest university in WinstonSalem, n.c. dr. Bogan graduated from the university of michigan (ann arbor) and the Wayne State university School of medicine in detroit. He completed his internship and residency in ophthalmology at the

1170 Wyke Road, Shelby, NC 28150

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704-482-6767

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albany medical center in albany, n.y., then completed two years of subspecialty training in corneal surgery at emory university in atlanta, Ga. dr. cline is a graduate of the university of Florida and received her medical degree from the university of South Florida, college of medicine in tampa. She completed her internship at the mayo Graduate School of medicine in Jacksonville, Fla., before doing her training in ophthalmology at the medical School of Georgia in augusta. drs. Bailey, Bogan and cline perform minor surgeries and laser vision corrections at the Wyke road facility and major surgeries at cleveland ambulatory Services, 1100 north lafayette Street, Shelby. patients save 30-40 percent (or much more depending on their insurance situation) in the cost of outpatient surgery at cleveland ambulatory Services compared to a hospital’s outpatient surgery department. many different surgical specialists and endoscopists can deliver much of their care there. if it is appropriate and safe, cleveland ambulatory Services can save many thousands of dollars for outpatient surgery or endoscopy in a friendly, safe, caring and efficient environment.

Shelby eye center has served the community for more than 20 years. in addition to services mentioned previously, the staff provides crossed eye surgery, diabetic eye care and treatment, retinal evaluation and treatment, cosmetic eye surgery, medically necessary eyelid surgery, implantation of presbyopic intraocular lens and emergency service 24-7.

Whether it’s been a while since your last eye exam or you know you need treatment for a vision problem, trust your eyes to Shelby eye center, where the entire staff says, “We care about your eye care.” office hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm monday through Friday.

www.ShelbyEyeCenter.com

text By Gilda pruitt

Senior living in Cleveland County

WHen looKinG at retirement, dick and anne rhodes spent six years selling their property in mecklenburg county. they spent two years driving up and down streets looking at property on every lake in north carolina from White lake in the east to lake toxaway in the west. their search required good highways, proximity to an airport and decent grocery stores. they wanted a brick house with a water system and they found it. their most important wish was to be on the water 54

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and they accomplished that dream. they purchased their home on moss lake in cleveland county in 2003.

But, as dick says, “We found all these things that we desired, and we landed in a neighborhood with the nicest people we’ve ever known.” dick rhodes traveled in and around cleveland county for 40 years in the wholesale heating and plumbing business. it never crossed his mind that he and his wife would live here.

RIGHT AT HOME Above: Dick and Anne Rhodes and their home on Moss Lake.

Senior living

anne worked for mecklenburg county in the field of substance abuse and psychiatric diagnosis. She was primarily a case coordinator. toward the end of her career in social work, she worked primarily with pregnant, addicted women to get their families back together. as a child, anne’s mother lived in cleveland county from 1922 until 1926; her father was proprietor of cleveland Springs Hotel. anne heard many good things about the county. anne tells of an instance in their moss lake home, when they were without water (due to a burst pipe), a neighbor quickly pulled a hose from his home to theirs to give them water. anne continues, “When we bought our boat and brought it to our dock, there was a tree limb obstructing the opening and a neighbor came to our aid.” dick states, “We bought an older house and when it needed work done on it, every craftsman who we’ve dealt with has done a good job. many of the people who worked on our home were from a family business and we have felt comfortable in leaving our home in their care.” anne enjoys walking around the old buildings in the county; she enjoys the wildlife and the sights and sounds as daylight approaches. She enjoys the leaves turning and spring blooming. Both anne and dick feel safe in their environment. this is an oft-repeated story in cleveland county, people coming to the area and falling in love with the environment as well as the people with whom they have contact. cleveland county is fortunate to have two

beautiful, well equipped Senior centers. the neal center, under the direction of the council on aging of cleveland county is located in Shelby, and the patrick center is located in Kings mountain. these two facilities form the nucleus for activities offered to seniors of the area. each of the centers offers various opportunities for exercise and each of the centers offers a delicious hot meal at midday. many other events at the centers work around ham biscuits for breakfast and meals served with a holiday theme. the centers are inviting to all with friendly, knowledgeable staff and volunteers and an abundance of fun and healthful activities.

Seniors who enjoy the neal center may choose from classes as varied as wood carving to ceramics to basic party dance. the neal center also hosts two Friday night dances each month complete with live bands.

For those who love the arts, the Silver arts Festival in the spring should be of interest.

Seniors may submit their own art work and it is judged by local artists and exhibited at the center. once a year the neal center offers a dinner theater performance. Seniors serve as actors for the play and for other behindthe-scenes needs. the public is invited to attend the performance. each center provides a library and gift shop, a computer lab, game room and walking trail. Wireless hot spots are also available.

Fun is often the order of the day with holiday bazaars, seasonal parties and don’t forget Bingo!

STERLING HOUSE® SHELBY PERSONALized Assisted Living Respect for Individual PreferencesSM

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1425 East Marion Street Shelby, NC 28150

1005 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby, NC 28152

704-484-1711

704-481-0150

www.alphamail.com

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lIfE NEVER GETS OlD Top: A veteran shows off his medals from his dedicated service.

Bottom: Dancing all night at one of our Senior Centers.

10-16-09 2:48:23 PM

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Senior living

SENIOR CENTERS Above: Lawrence Patrick Senior Life Center located in Kings Mountain.

Right: Neal Memorial Senior Center, located in Shelby.

Health screenings and vaccines are available through the Senior centers.

Seminars on such diverse subjects such as nutrition, crime prevention and safety, as well as legal services and energy savings are also offered. income tax assistance is available from January through april.

Bridge groups both intermediate and contract meet at the centers. Water aerobic classes are offered year around. the council on aging of cleveland county offers congregate meal sites and home delivered meals. the council also manages apartments available to seniors 62 and older who meet income eligibility requirements. many churches in the area have special services that are offered to seniors and many restaurants have reduced priced items as well. Senior activities are prevalent, support is available and the genuine kindness of the citizens of the area adds to the dimension of senior living in cleveland county. Shelby is known as the city of pleasant living and that attribute is indicative of the entire county!

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experience cleveland county

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cleveland county is both scenically beautiful and rich in heritage, thus the slogan Scenic Pleasures, Historic Treasures.

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experience cleveland county

The Cleveland County Chamber strives to provide effective membership services and proactive leadership to enhance economic opportunity and quality of life in our community.

The Cleveland County Chamber will be the community’s premier advocate of business and a leader of public and private initiatives to sustain second-to-none living, learning, working and leisure-time environments.

Find out more

ww w . C l ev elan d Ch amb er.o rg 200 S. Lafayette Street 150 W. Mountain Street

Shelby, NC 28150 Kings Mountain, NC 28086

704.487.8521 704.739.4755

Award Winning HealthCare for Cleveland County Every Patient, Every Day, Always

Read more about our award winning care inside ...

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Cleveland Regional Medical Center: 980-487-3000 Kings Mountain Hospital: 980-487-5000 experience www.ClevelandCountyHealthCareSystem.org cleveland county