Foothills Spotlight - July/August 2010

HELPING YOU EXPERIENCE, EXPLORE, LEARN & LIVE IN THE FOOTHILLS

{ No.

15 }

July/August 2010

Staycations In this issue

~ in the ~ Foothills Details Inside...

Plus: A Rock With A View

We Won It, Now They Will Come Eddie Holbrook - Visionary Playmaker

www.foothillsspotlight.com

New Student Orientation July 22 10 AM or 5 PM Registration Day August 4 9 AM to 1 PM 4 PM to 7 PM

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ng a permanen t host World Series is for

ately 4,925 team s in their season. n ultimate goal: County! Assuming ers & coaches per ople who will be

We were proud to be part of a winning team effort.

using modest fan base of 1,00 0.

000 people acro ss familiar with

keted to over ing in 2010. Now , ake history!

2.6943 or all.com

.

HELP US M AKE

HistorY

Congratulations Shelby & Cleveland County!

Coordinators – Kim Davis, Jeff Champion Design – JD Ledford, Wendy Cobb, Ebbie Champion Writing – Judy Gualtney Photography – Tracy Stilwell/Victorian Rose Others with valuable contributions – Clay Champion, Sam Davis, Katherine Panther-Potemkin, Rusty Patterson, Emily Sisk, Severne Budd, Mark Alan Hudson, Scott Moon, Caylyn Dawsey, Chris Bollinger and Beverly Frye

Thank You American Legion World Eddie Holbrook, Co-Chair

Series

Jim Horn, Co-Chair

American Legion World Dr. Bruce Boyles Jay Bridges Billie Brown Severne Budd Clay Champion Ebbie Champion Jeff Champion Stuart Cheek Nathan Clark Steve Clark Roger Cox

Craig Ferree Suzanne Grayson Earl Lutz

Series

Teresa Crawford David Dear Derrick Dellinger Joe Edwards Alan Ford Skip Foster Judy Gaultney Wendi Gragg David Grose Barry Hambright Tommy Hamrick

American Legion World Series Town Hall & Festivities ity College Cleveland Commun m Keeter Auditoriu ~

Saturday, March 20 10:00 am ~

VITED! EVERYONE IN on Officials & Meet American Legi& Free Food!

Enjoy Live Music

Executive Commi ee Ozzie McFarland Rusty Patterson Arey Poston

Andy Price Robby Reynolds Rod Rockwell Joel Rountree

It was our distinct pleasure to design and produce the marketing and support materials for the bid to host the American Legion World Series.

Steering Commi ee David Haynes Millie Holbrook Charlie Holtzclaw Linda Horn Rick Howell Kyle Isokovic Emily Killian JD Ledford Jeff Ledford Bob Litton Len Litton

Nathan Martin Scott McArthur Barabara Monroe Jim Morgan John Henry Moss Chris Norman Drew Pearson Jim Prevost Buddy Ramey Jim Roemer Jackie Sibley

Emily Sisk Gary Spangler Rick Stafford Joseph Tallent Paxton Tallent Eleanore Thomas Chris Turner Eddie Winecoff Linda Ware

Ever since we were you ng we dreamt of this mom ent.

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24 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2010 2 010

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contents July/August 2010

president Jeff Champion publisher Ebbie Champion editor Mark Alan Hudson creative director JD Ledford graphics Mike Bencivengo Wendy Cobb Nikki Cook Dee Counter-Griffis JD Ledford Bridget Norton Peter Von Pfahl April Hoyle Shauf Jackie Sibley writers Bill Cameron Rev. Crystal Champion Laura Edington Judy Gaultney Bryon Gragg Adam Hines Mark Alan Hudson Kimberly P. Johnson Bob Mori Wade Nichols Katherine Panther-Potemkin Gilda Pruitt April Hoyle Shauf Jackie Sibley Paula Vess Skip Warrick Trey Warrick Lynn Zook sports director Sam Davis photographers Robin King The Victorian Rose Studio photojournalist Rusty Patterson

40

76

{ features }

{ be sure to see }

25 stay-cations in the foothills

8 welcome

Seven extrodinary places, events and people of the foothills

12 life coaching

76 eddie holbrook

14 amazing mind

A look at what makes Chimney Rock a real gem for the foothills

A visionary playmaker and one of Cleveland County’s finest

78 teamwork wins the day

How 250 jobs and Clearwater Paper Company, based out of Spokane, WA, came to Shelby

n p

g.

49

Bryan Thrift has the perfect job as a professional fisherman

How Cleveland County and Shelby bagged the American Legion World Series

61 flashback

No regrets

A look back at Bill Cameron and his many athletic exploits

62 fab 5

Do you see what I see?

Summer gardening: The heat is on

Learn about five exceptional athletes from the foothills

A standard of care

22 therapy rx ON THE COVER

Noah Stilwell, son of Brian and Beth Stilwell. Noah is the grandson of Debbie Horne, Danny Davis, Dianne Duke and Elwin Stilwell, who we miss dearly.

- photo courtesy of Victorian Rose

When the obvious is not so obvious

44 best of the foothills

Vote for your favorites

75 65 years ago

A look back at Shelby’s rise into American Legion baseball

86 reflections

As you pray

54

MEMBERS OF: Cleveland Women’s Network

www. fo o t hills s p o t l i g h t .c o m

s o

20 financial perspectives

operations / sales Kim Davis

Foothills Spotlight is a publication of CHAMPION COMMUNICATIONS PO Box 1726 Shelby, NC 28150 704.466.3847 info@foothillsspotlight.com foothillsspotlight.com

Give yourself a boost... be your own best friend

18 in the yard

gin

54 we won it, now they will come

16 kid speak

website design Matt Miller

Leadership

40 a rock with a view

be

49 gone fishing

Vacation time; stay here

10 viewpoint

finance Jeff Weathers

sales staff Sam Davis Katherine Panther-Potemkin

49

72 July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 7

{ welcome }

...We certainly have our share of natural beauty...

Want Foothills Spotlight Magazine delivered to your door? ~ $40.00 for a year subscription ~ To subscribe go to

www.foothillsspotlight.com

Welcome to our July/August Edition. We’re calling it our “Stay-cation” Issue because we’re covering just a short selection of some of the unique and interesting things that you and your family can experience during vacation time … but right here at home in Cleveland and Rutherford Counties.

Simply put, we wanted to share things you can do right here that are affordable, interesting and best of all, close by. And it just so happens that these things can also be incredibly fun.

During some of our planning meetings here at Foothills Spotlight, we have often found ourselves talking about how lucky we are to live in a place that is not only close to a lot of interesting places but also can hold its own when compared to them. We certainly have our share of natural beauty and one of our features is about a place right next door where you can “kiss the sky.”

We also have stories on some activities that you might not have thought much about in a long time that have new twists for a new generation. What some of us called “treasure hunts” and “horseshoes” as kids now have new monikers … can you say “geo-cache” and “cornholing?”

Other features that we hope you enjoy include music and the arts and even some classic summer pastimes. One of these – dropping a line into some still water – has turned into a lucrative career for one of our neighbors. Another covers a unique man and his passion for our national pastime, among other things.

This is the time to enjoy the best of times with your family and friends in a place that we know well and which we get to call home. It is a time to create memories that will last a lifetime for the children among us and warm the hearts of us that still remember the joys of a carefree summer.

Pura vida,

Mark Alan Hudson EDITOR

Mea Culpa: We do our best to get everything right in our stories but we’re human and sometimes mistakes happen.

This time, it happened to one of our writers, for whom we did not give proper credit for one of her stories in our May/June issue. Paula Vess, I am sorry we did not get your byline correct on your wonderful profile on Linda Hopper.

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foothillsviewpoint WORDS JEFF CHAMPION

Leadership I was watching the news recently and the reporter was disclosing that both the Democrats and Republicans had voted 100 percent along party lines for and against a particular proposed bill. Can that really be true? Can every single Democrat and every Republican be in full agreement? Does anyone believe for a minute that all of them truly voted their conscience? Unfortunately, this has become the norm when it comes to our government. No one seems willing to stand up and be a leader. When did we quit trusting our instincts and thinking for ourselves?

I may not have the answer but I do have an opinion.

We have a shortage of leaders because it’s much easier to do as I’m doing here – deliver pot shots and

make accusations while enjoying the safety of staying on the sidelines and away from scrutiny. Fortunately, there are occasionally people that have the courage to stand up to the challenge of leadership. They inspire others with their convictions, integrity and commitment. In my opinion, a local example of a leader with these qualities is Eddie Holbrook.

I have had the pleasure of working with Eddie as we have pursued the American Legion World Series bid.

I have seen firsthand how one stays true to his convictions in his pursuits, regardless of what obstacles and resistance he may face. While the support on this issue from our community has been tremendous, it hasn’t been 100 percent. One could have easily for-

given Eddie if he had decided to stop this dream when it became a challenge. He is, after all, a politician!

Many people had to be convinced, checks needed to be written and many, many hours had to be invested if this unlikely accomplishment was going to be realized.

And then there’s the question, “What’s in it for him?”

I can’t speak for Eddie, but through his and Jim Horn’s leadership, many of us were able to get involved and become part of a great leadership team. I think it is this accomplishment along with truly believing and caring in what this could mean to our community that has driven him. Thanks, Eddie, not only for your leadership but also for teaching us how to lead.

The expressed opinions do not necessarily represent the opinions of our advertisers. We welcome your comments and opinions. Send them to: Viewpoint, c/o Foothills Spotlight, PO Box 1726, Shelby NC 28151. Or viewpoint@foothillsspotlight.com

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lifecoaching

{be well, healthy & happy}

WORDS KATHERINE PANTHER-POTEMKIN

Give Yourself A Boost... Be Your Own Best Friend IT OFTEN OCCURS TO ME THAT

...Instead of seeing your flaws, see the magnificence of yourself...

Katherine Panther-Potemkin, Account Executive with Champion Communications and a business consultant, trainer and coach.

12 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

our primary relationship in life is with ourselves. We have friends, yet no one else goes through every experience with us or knows our inner thoughts, feelings, desires and disappointments the way that we do. No one else is with us day-in and day-out.

We are our one constant companion and often our worst critic. We see the good, bad and ugly of ourselves and too often focus on the bad and ugly to the exclusion of the good. Without even being aware, we focus ourselves right into low selfesteem.

If asked, you might declare that your self-esteem is healthy, but do your attitudes toward yourself bear that out? Self-esteem has to do with your view of yourself and your worth, the way you experience yourself and your ability to cope with life. High esteem produces feelings of confidence and value. Low esteem produces feelings of being incapable and wrong. Both translate into attitudes, behaviors and approaches toward self, others and the world in general.

A person who feels worthy and capable is better able to deal resiliently with what life offers, tends to be more creative and ambitious, is more likely to build supportive relationships and is more respectful of self and others. Such a person is also his or her own best friend and supporter.

Such a person truly likes his or her unique self.

Instead of hiding in the background or masking a self-perceived “unattractive body” behind baggy clothing, this person expresses, shares and tries new things. This person engages in and lives life fully.

With such an impressive list of benefits, why isn’t everyone’s self-esteem high? The foundation for self-esteem starts in childhood, ideally with parents who model self-acceptance and love. Having such parents makes high self-esteem more likely but it’s not a guarantee, and we didn’t all have ideal parents. Self-esteem is more importantly a product of how you choose to respond to and see yourself.

You have the power at any time to change your view of self. It’s as simple as recognizing without shame that your self-esteem could use a boost, admitting that you need to take corrective action and then beginning to see and treat yourself differently.

Try this exercise: Begin by writing down five things you like about yourself. If you can’t come up with five things, ask supportive friends. Challenge yourself to do this daily for a week. At the end of the week, read the list aloud as you stand in front of a mirror. Instead of looking at your flaws, see the magnificence of yourself reflected in the mirror.

Remember, it’s when you feel the most resistant that this exercise can benefit you the most.

Other practices that can help you treat yourself differently include: • Identify things that prevent you from feeling good about yourself. Look for payoffs you receive for holding onto these things and write them down. Recognize that you’ve chosen to accept payoffs rather than seeing the great person you are.

• Explore where you got your ideas about yourself and how they presently affect you.

Then clean house by discarding unsatisfactory or outdated attitudes, feelings and expectations. Every time an unsatisfactory attitude creeps in, remember its uselessness.

• Surround yourself with positive influences and activities.

• Tune in to the positive in others to boost your own positive outlook.

• Get involved in something that interests you and become good at it.

• Take responsibility for your self-talk, choices and actions. Live proactively by exercising the abilities and talents you possess.

Raising self-esteem has to do with getting in touch with and befriending your unique self.

Because we’re constantly looking at others and the world around us instead of at ourselves and using that world as criteria for self-measurement, we miss the wonderful things about ourselves that others see. Take time to experience your unique self the way you experience those whom you love and admire. Appreciate, esteem and celebrate unashamedly who you are. When you do, you can become a positive force in your environment, and, more importantly, you can become your own very best friend.

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July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 13

theamazingmind

{dream maker}

WORDS LYNN ZOOK

No Regrets WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO

...She had waited so long in her life to do what she had always wanted to do...

Lynn lives in Waxhaw, is married to Jill and has two daughters.

14 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

before you can’t do any more?

I have a friend who, when turning 50, put together a “bucket list” list of things she wanted to do before she died. There were more than two dozen items on her list, some of them the expected, like traveling to places she had never been and reconnecting with friends.

But one of her items was a bit unusual; she had long dreamed of performing stand-up comedy. Not just getting a bunch of people together to tell jokes, she wanted to perform at a comedy club. My friend is a diminutive, now 52-year-old Southern belle… raised “right,” Baptist and very conservative. Not exactly the stereotypical comedian. Plus, she was scared to death to get on stage in front of people that she didn’t know and try to be funny. What would people think of her? What if they didn’t laugh? These fears had kept her dream unfulfilled for over 30 years.

She knew that to accomplish this goal she had to get into action. So she put together a routine and practiced it. And practiced more. She then contacted a local comedy club offering a monthly amateur night. She decided she would try it when the next one came around.

When that time came, she couldn’t go through with it. Her fear of failure and what other people might think was still too big for her to get up on stage. But she didn’t give up; she waited for the next month.

As the days passed, she found herself staring at her bucket list. She realized that slowly crossing off many of the items made her feel incredible. She started saving for a trip that she wanted to take and strategizing on how to accomplish other items on her list.

Soon, another month had passed; this time she was bound and determined to get this stand-up comedy dream accomplished and off her list.

So she went to the club and there was only one other amateur there that night. She worried if this was the right night. Before she knew it, she heard her name and she stepped on stage. She was scared and visibly nervous, until she told her first

story and the crowd erupted with laughter. She told another and then another; the crowd loved her.

She was having the time of her life making these strangers laugh.

When her time was up, she was given a standing ovation. That night she was so excited about what she experienced. The joy and jubilation of beating her lifelong fear and getting such a reaction from all of the people made all the work worth it.

The next day the club manager called her and asked if she would be the opening act the next weekend. She was now on cloud nine. Her dream of being a stand-up comedian was realized and now she would get paid to do it. She was the opening act the following week to the great applause and laughter of the people there. They loved her. The club booked her once a month for six months.

The fear and anxiety of her first performance was long gone. Now, every time she stepped on stage she loved it. It was one of the greatest feelings she had ever had--making people laugh. She couldn’t believe she had waited so long in her life to do what she had always wanted to do.

She appeared at the club regularly over the next two years and audiences always enjoyed her show.

Many times, she would have as many as three shows a night. After a good run of a couple of years, she tired of the late hours and moved on.

But she knew she had accomplished a great thing in her life. Stage fright and worrying about what other people thought was enough to stop my friend from living her dream, until the dream became bigger than the fear. Fear is your mind focused on bad thoughts.

How many goals and dreams do you have that you haven’t tried to reach because you let your mind make the fear bigger than the joy and pleasure of realizing those goals and dreams? Don’t wait until it is too late. Take a lesson from my friend and put your dreams down on paper and get into action to accomplish them. Live your life to its fullest, so you have no regrets when looking back.

It is your Amazing Mind and you are in control.

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kidspeak

{happy journeys}

WORDS KIMBERLY P. JOHNSON

Do You See What I See? WHAT SHINES THROUGH THE

...Visions help your children realize that they can make a difference...

Kimberly is an accomplished children’s book author, speaker, motivator and educator. She has written 12 children books and has even been an invited guest to the White House to read her works at the annual Easter Egg Hunt.

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16 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

most when talking about personal goals is the passion that often accompanies the vision. Have you ever watched a child talk about learning to play a new game? Or have you ever watched a young athlete demonstrating his or her skills on the field or on the court? There is a certain degree of inspiration that comes from accomplishment!

As parents and educators, we can use that excitement to continue planting seeds of success in our youth. I always encourage parents to “fan the fire.” In other words, if you have a child who likes to build with blocks or put Legos together, encourage that child to continue that vision. You may be planting seeds for a future architect. There is no telling what a little encouragement may spark.

Webster says that vision is a mental image created by the imagination. That means that EVERYONE can have a vision. If you think it in your mind, you can certainly achieve it. Sometimes, people think that visions only belong to the creative or affluent, but vision is something that we all can possess. When I was a child, we didn’t have much money, but we always had a vision. Visions are FREE! There are a few things that we can do to help youth establish a vision: • Encourage youth to hold on to their visions by helping them discover their interests. It’s hard to have a vision, if you can’t decide what interests you. Most visions start out as hobbies that become serious. For example, I always liked to write cute little stories when I was a child and that like turned into a vision, that vision became a passion and here I am … Help youth find out what they truly enjoy. I always tell parents to make a special effort to NOT force their visions onto their children. Just because you like to draw, your children may hate it. Just because you were the star of your football team, your child may show no interest. RESPECT THAT! This is not to say that all children know exactly what they want ALL of the time, but today’s youth have a pretty good idea of what interests them and

what doesn’t.

• Speak with enthusiasm and emotion. Do you know how many youth decided to become stronger writers after they heard me speak? Lots of them! This happened because they could sense the passion in my voice when I talked about ideas and stories. When youth hear your love and desire for a skill, you may begin enlisting them to join you or even participate from time to time. This participation may create a vision. I once read an anonymous quote that said, “Visions tell us how we feel.” As parents, there is no way that you can encourage your children to begin believing in themselves if you don’t believe in YOURSELVES. Remember, visions are for everyone – including parents. Share your visions with your children so they can see what excites you. When you begin imagining yourself doing something that you believe would be exciting or interesting, you begin to feel excited from the inside out. You will know when the passion from your vision has kicked in. I realize it every time my fingers hit the letters on a keyboard or my right hand grips a pencil.

• Use lots of repetition. You can’t talk about a vision once and expect the excitement to last. Vision is deeply rooted and requires constant nurturing. I have seen students get a vision of becoming the best student in their class and they begin forming habits to lead them in that direction. This method of repetition allows them to plan strategies that become second nature to their success plan.

Visions help your children realize that they can make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. Visions can give lives a purpose. When children see that their lives have personal worth, they strive to make themselves proud as well as making others proud. Help your children feel this sense of pride through motivation and desire.

Amazingly, enthusiasm and excitement help make those abstract visions more concrete and when that happens there is no telling where youth will end up in life!

Happy Journeys. . . . www. foothillsspotlight. com

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intheyard

{happy gardening}

WORDS SKIP & TREY WARRICK

Summer Gardening: The Heat is On! THE HEAT IS ON! THE PAST FEW summers have been brutal to our turf and landscapes. We can only hope that this year the streak of hot, dry weather will be broken. To maintain our lawns and gardens through the summer will require some special attention. Here are a few tips that should be helpful as the temperature rises.

...The past few summers have been brutal to our turf and landscape...

The father/son team of Skip and Trey Warrick are the second and third generations of Warricks operating Shelby Nursery and Scottree.

For more information, call 704-471-1000 or email them at Scottree@msn.com

18 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

TURF CARE The one thing everyone wants is a green, lush lawn year round; the only problem is that the preferred choice of lawn in this area is cool season fescue. Fescue tends to go dormant with warmer temperatures, but with adequate moisture or supplemental irrigation and nutrients, it will continue to thrive. By maintaining a high-fertility, lush lawn during the summer, we create ideal conditions for fungal problems. A common fungal disease seen in our area is brown patch, which is characterized by small- to medium-size circular brown patches in the turf. Lawns are susceptible to brown patch when night temperatures remain in the 70s and the humidity remains high. To control brown patch and other fungal diseases, apply fungicides as a preventive measure or as a control for existing infestations. There are also cultural practices that can prevent brown patch: Avoid watering at night, reduce nitrogen applications during warm weather, and maintain a lawn height of four inches.

ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL CARE Annual and perennial beds provide excellent color in our gardens, but they require continual maintenance to produce flowers all summer.

Weeds are the number one problem in annual and perennial beds. Mulching is a good practice to prevent weeds in both types of beds. Mulching can also assist the soil with available moisture retention. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide is acceptable in annual beds but not for all perennial beds. Some annuals and biennials return by reseeding. Annuals are high maintenance but very rewarding if cared for properly. Annual beds require consistent watering, fertilization, and deadheading.

Inspect annuals regularly for insects and diseases.

Insect damage will come from either insects with sucking mouthparts, such as aphids, or chewing mouthparts, such as Japanese beetles. Aphids

can be controlled with a chemical spray such as Orthene速, and Japanese beetles and other chewing insects can be controlled with Sevin速. Use caution when selecting a chemical control for insects and always follow the label. Many insecticides are considered broad-spectrum insecticides and can kill beneficial insects. There are many organic solutions available now as well.

Perennial beds also require attention during the warmer months to continue to flourish.

Supplemental irrigation during drier spells may be necessary for continual flowering. To prolong flower production, prune spent flowers and reduce overgrown plants. Perennials are susceptible to insects and disease problems so remember to inspect them regularly.

TREE CARE AND HEALTH The summer months provide an excellent opportunity to assess the health and care of your trees and shrubs. Conduct minimal pruning during the hottest months. When pruning, focus on the removal of dead wood, light corrective pruning, and light thinning. A good rule of thumb is to remove no more than one-third of the live tissue. Remember that even young landscape trees need pruning to promote good structure as the tree matures.

When assessing the health of your trees and shrubs, there are several things you can look for: 1) Die-back in the tips can indicate drought stress or stress caused by compaction of the surrounding soil. Early fall color and leaf drop can also indicate drought stress. 2) Decay at the base of trees and abnormal growths can indicate unseen issues such as root decay or internal decay of the tree. All these issues can be serious if not handled appropriately.

If you have concerns about your trees or shrubs, you can contact your local International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist to assess your problems. To find a certified arborist, visit www.isa-arbor.com.

The dog days of summer can be tough on everything, including our lawns and gardens.

We hope these tips will help you maintain your landscape throughout the warmer weather. The key for lawn and plant maintenance during our warmest season is to be conscientious of where, when, and how water is used -- be water wise!

www. foothillsspotlight. com

Let us be part of your staycation!

Owl’s Eye Vineyard & Winery Visit Shelby’s Only Vineyard.

Come see us!

Most Fridays feature live music and appetizers with a catered dinner on the 3rd Friday of the month.

Please check the website or call ahead for details.

*For more information on events and hours visit

OwlseyeVineyard.com

www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

1414 Metcalf Road

Shelby, NC 704-471-9196

July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 19

financialperspectives

{beyond traditional}

WORDS BRYON GRAGG

A Standard Of Care HAVE YOU HAD ONE OF THOSE

...There is no substitute for due diligence on the part of the investor...

Bryon Gragg, CPA/PFS, is a partner with Gragg&Gragg, LLP, a firm that goes beyond the traditional to assist you in getting your financial house in order and keeping it that way forever.

20 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

moments where you realize that you are probably not as exciting as you want to be or used to be?

I had one of those recently. The rest of the family had retired to other rooms in the house and I was in front of the TV with a big bag of popcorn watching intently as congressmen grilled Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein on C-SPAN. Later, as I described the hearings to my wife Allison, her expression confirmed it all: I was officially boring.

I found the hearings both interesting and disheartening; one of the reasons was the lack of understanding the Senate committee had regarding Goldman’s interactions with its clients and the standard of care to which it is held. Most investors don’t realize there are two sets of standards of regulating individuals who hold themselves out as investment professionals.

The fiduciary standard, which applies to investment advisors under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, requires that advisors put the best interests of the client first and foremost.

This requires that an advisor act solely in the best interest of the client, even if that interest is in conflict with the advisor’s financial interest.

Investment Advisors must disclose any conflict, or potential conflict, to the client prior to and throughout a business engagement. Probably the most important question you can ask an advisor is, “Do you have a legal obligation to act in my best interests?” Under the fiduciary standard of care, the answer is a simple yes.

Unfortunately, only a small proportion of “financial advisors” are federally- or state-registered Investment Advisors. Most financial advisors are considered “Broker-Dealers” by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

They are held to a lower standard of diligence on behalf of their clients. In fact, they are required by federal law to act in the best interest of their employer, not in the best interest of their clients.

This is the suitability standard which covers most brokers, financial consultants, representatives, financial advisors or others who hold themselves out as financial professionals. The suitability standard requires that advisors need only to make recommendations that are “suitable” for the client but not necessarily in the client’s best interest.

Basically, the fiduciary standard separates the professional from the salesperson. The sad part about this is that most of the investing public is unaware there is a difference. A lot of the confusion has been brought about by the brokerage industry itself. You no longer find anyone who will admit to being a stockbroker; now you find financial consultants, financial advisors and a host of other titles which are subject to the suitability standard.

As long as their recommendations are “suitable” for your goals and needs, they are free to steer you toward in-house funds, funds that share revenue with the firm or products that pay the highest commission instead of what may actually be the best for you.

You must remember that standards are beneficial only if they are followed. There is no substitute for due diligence on the part of the investor. Visit www.focusonfiduciary.com to download a questionnaire for questions to ask an advisor. Ask the questions, make sure you are getting straight answers and make sure your interests are being placed first and foremost. Remember, it is your money and you deserve to have someone working for you who puts your interests first.

www. foothillsspotlight. com

Mark Your Calendars!

Cleveland Women’s Network 1st Annual Fall Conference

“ Friday, Sept. 10th, 2010 11:00am-4:00pm Hallelujah Acres Conference Center Keynote Speaker: Katherine Panther-Potemkin

Make Plans To Attend!

For Information Contact The Cleveland County Chamber 704-487-8521

Board Certified Clinical Specialists in Orthopedic Physical Therapy

s 4HE !REAS 0REFERRED 0ROVIDER s /VER YEARS COMBINED TRAINING IN ADVANCED ORTHOPEDIC AND MANUAL THERAPY FROM PROFESSIONALS YOU KNOW AND TRUST s % -ARION 3T Shelby

704-471-0001

-ON 4HURS AM PM s Fri. 7am-5pm

s 7 +ING 3T +INGS -OUNTAIN

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-ON 7ED AM PM s 4UES 4HUR AM PM s &RI AM PM

s " 7 #OLLEGE !VE "OILING 3PRINGS

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Don Miller PT, DPT, MS, OCS, CSCS

*Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy *Dr. Miller and his therapists have over 100 years combined experience in advanced orthopedic and manual physical therapy

www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

Our mission is to glorify and honor God by reaching out to people with the love of Jesus Christ.

At Cleveland Physical Therapy Associates, we will strive to achieve this by providing exceptional care and by using our resources to promote healing in the lives of our associates, our patients and our community.

July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 21

therapyRx WORDS DON MILLER

When the Obvious Is Not So Obvious DURING THE SPRING & SUMMER

...you may find yourself yourself spending more time outdoors...

Dr. Don Miller, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, Owner, Cleveland Physical Therapy Associates & Prescription Fitness, has clinics in Shelby, Kings Mountain and Boiling Springs, NC. He has practiced as a Physical Therapist and a Nationally Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist for over 21 years.

CSCS,

22 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

months, you may find yourself spending more time outdoors pursuing a wide variety of interests and activities. Many of us have a passion for gardening and landscaping, activities which require a lot of up and down movements that can be very stressful on the neck, back, hips and knees. Even something as simple as prolonged sitting on a riding mower can contribute to pain. It’s unfortunate when pain prevents us from doing the things we enjoy; however, it is important to realize that the location of the pain is not always the source of the problem.

A thorough examination is often necessary to identify the underlying cause.

If you are suffering from low back pain or other symptoms of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular origin, Cleveland Physical Therapy Associates (CPTA) may be able to help. We specialize in orthopedic manual physical therapy, a specialty branch of physical therapy that focuses on diagnosing and treating the musculoskeletal system. Our team has over 100 years of combined experience in identifying and treating all of the pathological structures contributing to these types of problems. We utilize a comprehensive and thorough examination process to determine and address all of the problems contributing to your pain. This complete and in-depth approach is often necessary for full resolution and the best long-term results.

To illustrate the importance of identifying and addressing all of the underlying causes of pain, consider a tennis player with a history of ankle sprains, who is experiencing elbow pain (diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis -- also known as tennis elbow). If this person returns to playing tennis before normal ankle mobility and strength are restored, the capacity of the ankle to accept and transfer weight will be diminished. Because the ankle is unable to efficiently transfer weight through the lower legs and hips, the force generated is significantly reduced. When this individual performs a backhand stroke, the loss of power from the lower body significantly increases the demand on the elbow. This increases the load on the forearm muscles, causing greater connective tissue stress

at the insertion of the common extensor tendon, resulting in tennis elbow.

A seemingly simple diagnosis can be only one component of a not-so-obvious larger problem.

If this person’s ankle problem is not addressed, it is doubtful that he or she will be able to continue playing tennis without increased elbow pain.

Administration of medication may temporarily alleviate symptoms and decrease complaints.

However, without addressing all of the problemcausing variables, the overall pathology is permitted to worsen. The pain may even force this person to stop playing tennis and seek more treatment than would otherwise have been necessary. He or she may require diagnostic testing, more medication, injections, surgery and additional physical therapy.

This process is painful, expensive and often preventable.

Once the variables contributing to symptoms are identified, a manual therapist uses handson techniques to improve joint and soft tissue mobility, muscle flexibility and motor coordination. Techniques used may include joint mobilization and/or manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, stretching, and activities to improve strength and coordination. When these techniques are combined with a specific exercise program, the results are greatly enhanced. After our tennis player’s ankle mobility, strength, and ability to accept and transfer weight from the lower extremities and trunk are restored, the elbow pain will become fairly easy to eliminate.

At CPTA, 50 percent of our full-time therapists are Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialists.

Nationally, only 2 percent of all physical therapists are Board Certified Specialists. In addition, many of our therapists have achieved and are pursuing additional certifications in various advanced manual therapy disciplines. We are sincerely dedicated to maximizing your health and wellness and we recognize the value of a skillful examination and customized hands-on intervention in eliminating the cause of pain. That is why we have specialized in this type of physical therapy care for so many years.

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Alpha Printing & Mailing

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July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 23

Foothills Ad.ai

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For more informa�on, call 704-482-1711 or email us at cccmembership@carolina.rr.com 24 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

www. foothillsspotlight. com

24 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

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Stay-cations ~ in the Foothills ~

when life is supposed to move more slowly, the iced tea colder and memories are created for a lifetime. It is time for vacation, a time to see and explore and enjoy new adventures.

A time for hot roads, snarled traffic, long lines and short tempers.

This year, try something different, stay at home for a “stay-cation.� From arts to adventure to music and games, the Foothills have much to offer. Easy to reach. Affordable. And you get to sleep in your own bed at the end of the day.

Enjoy our take on just a few of these opportunities over the next few pages.

WORDS PAULA VESS

the foot of the South Mountains, about 20 minutes from Shelby, lies a field where, one day a year, the hills ring with music. From a stage that offers a natural backdrop of woods and mountains, bands from near and far perform.

“We used to have music at the store every weekend,” says Glenda Miller, organizer and owner of Redbone Willy’s Trading Company. “But we were rained out a lot and I was getting busier so eventually we stopped. A couple of years ago, I decided it was time to start it up again.”

With that thought, the Redbone Willy’s Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Festival was born. On the Saturday before Labor Day each year, the pasture behind Redbone Willy’s transforms into an openair concert hall. Over the last two years, the annual event has grown. “It will be four hours longer this year and feature seven bands,” Glenda says.

The headliner band, Steep Canyon Rangers, is from Asheville. The band has played in venues around the world, was named Emerging Artist of the Year in the 2006 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, and has been featured on the Grand Ole Opry. “We have some local bands as well,” Glenda says. “Some groups have asked to come back.”

When your stomach begins to rumble, feel free to unpack a picnic basket from home or visit the food

26 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2010

vendors. You might even find a glass of wine from a local winery. Walk off your meal by wandering into the Peddler’s Village, where you will find original, handcrafted works including pottery and jewelry.

You might discover a special treasure to take home.

“It’s a laid back, relaxed event where people can wander around, tailgate and simply have fun,” says Glenda, “We even offer overnight camping in the pasture.”

Then, of course, there is the Redbone Willy’s Trading Company. The store is worth a visit in its own right, and is a great stop for those headed to South Mountains State Park or the Hickory area. “We get a lot of visitors from the Charlotte or Rock Hill area on their way to visit the state park,” Glenda says, “but we also have a lot of locals traveling between Shelby and Hickory or Lincolnton who stop for ice cream.”

Glenda built Redbone Willy’s, which she opened in 1995, to resemble an old-fashioned country store. From the potbellied stove to the rocking chairs on the porch, the store invites people to come in and stay awhile.

Wandering among the well-stocked shelves, shoppers will find clothing,

hats, old-fashioned candy, decorative items and gift ideas.

The store is truly a family business. “My mom makes the cakes and my dad, before he passed away recently, made all the hamburgers and canned the fruit I use in the fried pies and ice cream.” Today, Glenda’s daughter Charlie works in the store, too.

Next time you want to get away for just a little while, think about taking a short ride into the country to visit Redbone Willy’s. You might find yourself on memory lane, or you just might make a few new memories.

www. foothillsspotlight. com

July/A July /A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 27

WORDS MARK ALAN HUDSON

Seven years & the

continues began as a vision of five diversely talented women whose interests spanned a wide range of artistic genres. They came together through a synergy of those artistic interests, opening the Synergy Studio and Gallery in the spring of 2003.

Over the ensuing seven years, the group has hosted openings and exhibits and participated in community-wide art events, all the while continuing to pursue their own artistic interpretations as individuals and as a group.

This summer, Synergy will begin a new offering to women who want to explore their artistic side and have fun in the process.

They are calling the event “pARTy Evenings,” which will be held at least once a month on Fridays. The first ”pARTy” was held in early June, led by weaver Lynn Eskridge, one of the studio’s original members. On July 16, Synergy Studio member and potter, Kathy Kemerait, will lead a pottery ”pARTy” and on Aug. 6, Susan Doggett, another of the studio’s founding members, will lead a ”pARTy” on creating a handmade journal.

Lynn, who led the first event, notes that the sessions are designed to be accessible to women of all talent levels. “Our purpose is to introduce women to artistic expression and to let them create in an environment that is fun and un-intimidating.”

She notes that this was one of the reasons that Synergy came into existence in the first place. “We were looking for a place where we could work and create and have the support of other artists, a place where we could be inspired by colleagues and offer support to them in return, a synergy of efforts, if you will.”

Susan agrees with this assessment and notes that their loca-

28 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

tion, just a couple of blocks off of Shelby’s Court Square at 212 West Warren Street, has been a functional space that has transformed as the members of the studio have changed. “This has been a positive thing,” she says. “Our artists have used this location and our group as a step in their personal artistic growth.

When it is time for them to move forward, we are there to support them. Such is the beauty of synergy.”

With the changes they’ve seen over the years, the decision to offer new events and programs seems to them a logical progression. “What we are offering is a series of fun and artistic experiences across a broad spectrum of media so that women can explore and create,” says Lynn. “We want it to be a fun and productive event for everyone who participates.”

Kathy notes that the sessions are structured according to the abilities of the participants. The nominal program costs cover most supplies and refreshments. She adds that if the initial “pARTy” events are well received, they will become a regular feature of the studio. “People would be surprised to know how much talent they have within them and we hope these sessions, held in a non-judgmental atmosphere, will help them explore that potential,” she adds.

The “pARTys” will run from 7-10 PM for each session and the cost is $20. Reservations are recommended and you can reach the studio by e-mail at synergystudios5@gmail.com or by phone at (704) 349-1123. The studio offers customized events for birthdays and anniversaries, as well as for business and organization team building. Visit them at www.synergystudiosandgallery.com.

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www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

March/A pril 2010 Foothills Spotlight 37

Cornholing – A game for all ages

WORDS JUDY GAULTNEY

When players cannot agree on the scoring of an inning,

Photos by Victorian Rose

cornfusion reigns!

30 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

The sport of cornholing is popular at the beach, on college campuses, at public gatherings of most any kind and in driveways across the land.

The American Cornhole Association (ACA) Website reports that the association has 30,000 members worldwide. And the American Cornhole Organization’s (ACO) site identifies the organization as the governing body for the sport. There is even cornholing apparel and, reportedly, a movie in the works!

If you’re not familiar with the game, think bean bag toss first. Then alter the bag to hold grains of corn and make the bags a specific size and pitch them on an official board. You can get all the rules and other details, including bag and platform dimensions, from the ACA or ACO Web sites, which also explain how to play and use the correct terminology. Basically, each team is aiming for a score of 21, with each bag tossed into the hole a three-point shot called a “cornhole” and each one landing and staying on the platform a one-point shot called a “woody.”

“I think it’s interesting,” says Carl Weathers, an estimator for Settle Heating & Air in Shelby and an avid cornholer. “It’s fun the way you keep score.

It’s just different. It’s different from playing pool and golf and all that. It’s better than horseshoes and everything else all around, I believe.” Carl, who has played for about three years, says his 5-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter enjoy the game, too.

David Settle, Carl’s boss and father-in-law, has seen the potential in the sport for advertising purposes, and he commissioned Daniel Blanton’s carpentry class at Kings Mountain High School to build cornhole platforms for him. “Carl and I got to talking and the Owl’s Eye Winery was wanting a board,” David says. “(We decided) that would be good advertising since everybody plays it.” David has a board with a Settle’s Heating & Air ad at the Owl’s Eye now and he’s designated another one for Alive After Five events. He’ll be placing a third somewhere else still to be decided, he says.

Some of the official cornhole terms are entertaining. The ACO has even trademarked two of them: “Cornzizzle” is achieved when a player makes four cornholes in one round; and “shucked” refers to a team or player who is beaten 13-0, as in “you’ve been shucked.” Also clever is “candycorn” for a short shot that doesn’t make it to the board.

And guess what? When players cannot agree on the scoring of an inning,“cornfusion” reigns!

Want to play? Check out the possibilities at Shelby’s Alive After Five, of course, Owl’s Eye Vineyard & Winery in Shelby and Daddy Joe’s Beach House Barbecue in Gaffney, S.C., or ask the faculty and students at Gardner-Webb University.

You can also watch the 2nd Annual Bags for Wags Cornhole Tournament Saturday, July 31, at The Thirsty Beaver Saloon in Charlotte.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: ACA site: www.playcornhole.org ACO site: www.americancornhole.org

www. foothillsspotlight. com

Geocaching & Letterboxing: The world’s largest scavenger hunt WORDS Jackie Sibley Remember scavenger hunts? The fun of searching for hidden objects and clues is not a lost art; in fact, it has been upgraded. Through GPS technology the world has become a giant universal scavenger hunt through geocaching and letterboxing. There are over 300 geocaches in the Shelby ZIP code alone. There are 6,211 within a 75-mile radius of the Cleveland County seat.

“Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. A geocacher can place a geocache anywhere in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache’s existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS device can then try to locate the geocache,” according to the official geocaching Web site www.geocaching.com.

Don’t have a GPS device? A letterbox is another form of treasure hunting using clues instead of coordinates. In some cases, however, the owner has made it both a letterbox and a geocache and posted its coordinates on the geocaching Web site.

If there is a stamp inside a letterbox hybrid, it is not an item intended for trade; the stamp is meant to remain in the box so that visitors can use it to record their visit. To read more about letterboxing, visit the Letterboxing North America Web site.

www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

So how does it work and how do you get started?

First, you’ll need to register on www.geocaching. com. Next, do a search within the ZIP code you want to search. Keep in mind that you can geocache all over the world! When you travel abroad, search the caches and letterboxes in the area or on your route.

Choose one of the geocaches on the list and enter the coordinates into your GPS device. If you are letterboxing, follow the clue to find the letterbox in your area. Share your geocaching experience and photos online on your geocache page.

It is important that you look at the geocache details before you go. Geocache listings include difficulty ratings so you can plan for your trip. Some sites are easy to reach and some include a challenging hike that requires special equipment and skills such as climbing or rappelling. Take plenty of water for any activity outdoors, even if the find will be an easy one. If your hike is going to be an extended event, pack extra batteries for your GPS device and a map, plus a compass for backup. Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Remember, distances can be deceiving so take into account the level of difficulty for your find.

Do not lose your car! Mark your car as a waypoint before you start. Geocachers are always

environmentally conscious. Remember “Cache In/Trash Out.” Cachers leave the area in better condition than they found it.

Share your experience! If you take something from the geocache, leave something of equal or greater value. You will have an online logbook associated with your registration on the geocache Web site. Record your trip, experiences and photos and begin creating a memory book.

Geocaching can be done anywhere and creates a family memory of all the little “out of the way” places you visit. Along the way be sure to learn about the area you are in. Is it a historical site? Is it a tourist attraction? Is it a park that volunteers spent hours developing? Record what you learn in your log, so that years from now your family can look back on travels with fond memories and great stories to tell. (http://www.geocaching.com/about/default.aspx, Groundspeak, Inc., 2010)

July/august 2010 Foothills Spotlight 31

WORDS LAURA EDINGTON

WORDS LAURA EDINGTON

32 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

www. foothillsspotlight. com

ith 17 individuals in the state championship and two individuals in the national championship in just the past three years, there should be no doubt that the Shelby Sharks swim team is causing a stir in the swimming community.

Formed in 1968, the year-round swim team has challenged children continuously and created great swimmers for over 40 years.

Consisting of approximately 90 swimmers ranging in age from 6 to 18 years old, the Sharks display dedication and heart. Having a total of one month off -- two weeks in August and two weeks in April -- they spend the rest of the year in practice and meets.

“They do more than a lot of adults do,” says Dave Messenger, the Sharks’ coach for the past five years who was recently inducted into the Kings Mountain Sports Hall of Fame for his team’s state championships in 1993 and 1994.

It would be hard to argue this considering that during the summer, the team practices at 6:30 in the morning and again in the afternoon, sometimes in open water training at Moss Lake.

During the academic year, the team practices after school from 4-6:30.

“This sport isn’t for everybody. It requires dedication and fosters self-esteem and work ethic. It keeps kids out of trouble and teaches

them to balance sports, studying, and their home life,” Messenger explains.

Emily Morgan, a 16 year old who has been swimming since she was 7, agrees saying “I like being with the team; the coaches have always been great. It takes a ton of dedication and motivation but in the end it really pays off.

In the end, you realize you are doing it all for a reason.”

Alexandra “Lexie” Handlin, an 8 year old who has been swimming three years, has similar sentiments. She says swimming is hard work but “it’s good exercise and fun too.” She likes trying to live up to the challenges the sport presents.

Evan Morse, a 17 year old who has been swimming for 6 years, likes having fun with the whole team. He says, “It takes a lot of hard work. You have to put in all the effort you can to try and further yourself in the sport.”

But providing the swimmers with valuable skills they will use throughout their life is not the only thing the sport does. It provides the children with another family, one that practices and competes on a regular basis.

The Sharks’ extraordinary accomplishments include being the No. 1 swim team in the state with fewer than 100 swimmers and the No. 1 swim team west of Charlotte. However, one

of the team’s most exciting accomplishments is that “ … every kid that’s gone through the swim program has gone to college,” according to Messenger. This is extremely impressive considering that according to the U.S Census Bureau, in 2006 there were only approximately 18.4 million people enrolled in U.S. colleges and only 46 percent were 18 to 19 years old.

Messenger, who is always looking to expand the team, explains that anyone and everyone are welcome to the program. This includes the young, budding swimmer who dreams of the Olympics and also the swimmer that only wants to attend practice to stay fit and does not want to compete. But, if you do want to compete, dedication is definitely needed in this sport where the long course is 60 meters, which is the size of an Olympic pool, and the short course is 25 yards. “You don’t have to have talent. You just have to have commitment and heart.”

To keep up with the Shelby Sharks visit their website, www.sharksaquaticclub.com, it includes practice schedules, swim meet schedules, and the team’s records. It also includes information for anyone who is looking to join the team or any of its swim programs.

July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 33

Dreaming Up Stories WORDS Judy GAultney

Where have you gone recently where you never had to leave where you are? What book took you there? If you’re considering a stay-cation this summer, this respite can be just the backdrop for indulging in a lengthy novel. Or, if you’ve entertained the thought of trying to create your very own literary offering, a stay-cation may be a good time to begin. Foothills Spotlight interviewed a local author who provides perspective on getting started as a writer. But if you just want to read, we’re recommending her book for your summer library.

Shelley Stout’s first published novel (there are others under the bed and in closets) is intriguing for both its subject matter and the way she tells a true story with fictional characters. Radium Halos: A novel about the Radium Dial Painters, focuses on the fictional character Helen whose narrative reveals the facts about female factory workers who contracted radium poisoning when they used toxic paint to illuminate watch and clock dials in the 1920s. The workers were

34 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

taught to dip their brushes into the paint and then put the brush between their lips to make a sharper point. The radioactive paint they swallowed eventually made them ill, some of them fatally. Shelley’s Helen is naïve, resilient and bluntly honest. The forward of Shelley’s book is written by the son of the attorney who represented the women who filed lawsuits against their employer, the Radium Dial Corporation of Ottawa, Ill. He points out that the case was a landmark in workers’ rights in this country.

A graduate of Illinois State University, Shelley was a special education teacher for a short time, then worked for Time Warner Cable for 14 years in various positions. Now she’s an outside sales representative for

a membership warehouse club. She has lived in Charlotte for 30 years and reared two sons.

Shelley says she didn’t know she wanted to write until she was in her mid-40s. “The funny thing is, once I discovered this, I realized, oh, my gosh, you know what, my whole life, I’ve always been the type of person to dream up stories about people and think this would be good as a movie. But I had the mistaken notion that you had to be born a writer, and you had to have this skill you were born with.

What I realized was that you could take a little bit of talent and you could nurture it and you could study and you could practice and you could read a lot, and then you could be a writer. Once I figured that out, I improved.”

“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” – Mason Cooley, American aphorist and English professor, College of Staten Island and Columbia University

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Credits that prove her point include articles for newspapers and magazines, including Parent Teacher Magazine, and placement in regional writing contests.

The Charlotte Writers’ Club included two of her stories in annual anthologies and awarded her first place in 2005 for “The Coachella Inn.” When Radium Halos came out as an eBook on www.Girlebooks.com in July 2009, it was the company’s first paid book. “It started selling so well that the owner of Girlebooks, Laura McDonald, decided to put out a print version,” Shelley says. “So she actually created Librifiles Publishing for me. It was her first published book.”

www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

For people who love to write and would like to see their work published, Shelley shares what she has learned. “I would like to encourage them to take their time and do a lot of reading in a lot of different genres. I would also strongly, strongly encourage them to join a group like a critique group either online or in person so they can get feedback on their writing. Those two things can solve a lot of problems, a lot of heartaches and headaches later.”

She cautions against sending anything to a publisher as soon as the piece is finished. “When you write something you really need to put it to the side and not look at it for days or a week and then come back and look at it again with fresh eyes. You can really catch things you missed that don’t flow well, that don’t sound right. If you read what you’ve written out loud, you can really tell a lot about it.”

When an idea compels you to explore it in print, don’t hesitate. Shelley realized when she saw a Discovery Channel documentary

on the radium dial painters in the late 1980s that the story of the painters needed to be told in a novel. “At first I even talked myself out of it several times because I just didn’t think I was the right person for the job,” she says. “I just felt like I would have to research so much and I would have to learn so much before I could even begin such a huge project. The bad news-good news is that I was laid off from Time Warner, so I had all this time on my hands. And that’s how I spent it.”

One more thing about reading and writing: Shelley says word-of-mouth advertising is extremely important for writers whose works are presented by a small press, as is Radium Halos. So, “if you read a book from a small press and you like it, let others know!”

Shelley Stout’s Facebook fan page can be found at www.facebook.com/pages/ Shelley-Stout/116887518693?ref=mf.

Here’s where to find Radium Halos: JosephBeth Booksellers in Charlotte; www.amazon. com (also available here as an eBook); www. librifiles.com; for the eBook in other formats, http://girlebooks.com/blog/book-reviews/ radium-halos-by-shelley-stout/.

July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 35

Stepping Ahead, Backwards

I

t’s like stepping back in time. The building is fairly non-descript, but once inside you’re overwhelmed with reminders of the past … 45 and 33 rpm records, old comic books, antiques including roller skates from the 1940s, and a counter much like one from an old soda fountain.

All this and music, too, awaits visitors to Leatherwood’s country store in Fallston, N.C. A landmark for years on the court square in uptown Shelby, Leatherwood Trading Company, as it’s officially known, is fast becoming the place to go in Fallston, about 12 miles north of Shelby on Route 18. Owner and proprietor Steve Leatherwood describes the reason for the move as multifaceted. “My family and I ran the Shelby store for almost 22 years while working full-time in regular careers,” he explains. “After awhile, we just got time and expense weary and needed a break and a change of pace, so we decided to change the venue and downsize a bit.”

Why Fallston? Steve lives off Route 18 just south of the town and recalls driving through one day and spotting the building for sale. “It

AT LEATHERWOOD’S

WORDS BOB MORI

The Darin & Brooke Aldridge Quintet was built in 1946 as a roller skating rink with 3,200 square feet,” Steve says, “and when we bought it last November, (it) housed a workout gym. Before moving in we remodeled, including restoring the original hardwood floor.”

Leatherwood’s still offers memorabilia, coffee and snack foods and live blue-grass/folk/gospel music on a regular basis in an intimate atmosphere. The performers can almost touch the audience from their 12-foot by 24-foot floor-level stage. “We like the feel of close and live where the audience gets caught up in the performance,” Steve says. “That, and the quality of Top Left: Steve and his oldest son, JT, ham it up for the camera at Leatherwood’s Grand Opening.

JT operates the “store” side of the business with comics, collectibles and records. Top Right: Steve working out on his mandolin with his band, the Crooked Creek Ramblers, during a concert at Owl’s Eye Winery in Shelby.

Bottom: Leatherwood’s Grand Opening audience enjoys a selection by the Darin & Brooke Aldridge Quintet.

the groups, is what keeps folks coming back.”

“We opened the Shelby store in 1988 as basically a comic book store,” Steve recalls. “We called it ‘Comics, Cards and Collectibles’ in the beginning.”

In 1995, some friends suggested the Leatherwoods use the back area of their business for music, so they invited local bands in once each week for jam sessions and the “Old Tyme Court Square Opry” was born.

Steve plays mandolin, bass, guitar and fiddle, having taken lessons from local legend Dan X. Padgett. Steve’s wife Dotty, who played clarinet in the high school band while Steve played trombone, now handles the administrative side of the business selling tickets, making popcorn and keeping the store organized.

Their sons, Jeff (J.T.) and Jeremy, continue to be active in the business as well. In fact, Jeremy helps his dad host their two-hour Wednesday night radio show on Gardner-Webb’s WGWG-FM, called “Pickin’ on the Porch.” “I started doing a one-hour ‘Live at Leatherwoods’ show on WGWG in 1999,” Steve says, “then in 2002 added another two-hour Tuesday night show, ‘Different Shade of Blue,’ which consists of a mixture of blues, country and classic rock.”

What’s coming up “live” at the “new” Leatherwood Trading Company? Well, a busy seven-month schedule includes such groups as Herman Coffee and Bluegrass Tradition, Closer Walk Gospel, Mountain View, Julia Ann Band, and the Dollar Brothers through the summer. Then NU Bluegrass Artists, the Leonard McSwain Band, Southern Express and Flinthill Christmas complete the fall visiting artist list. Check out the company’s Web site at www.liveatleatherwoods.com for times and dates.

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July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 39

A

Rock with a View

(and much more) WORDS Mark alan HudSon

40 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g 2 0 1 0

www. foothillsspotlight. com

T

here is a feeling you get when standing at the top of something tall and looking out to the horizon, a connection between you and the knowledge that there is a vast world beyond your vision. It can be a magical and exhilarating moment as you grasp the connection to something that is greater than yourself.

It normally takes a long trip or a great deal of exertion to get to such heights but in the Foothills, we have several places we can go to look to the distant horizon. And one of them can be accessed without having to plan a Mt. Everest type expedition.

Chimney Rock, at Chimney Rock State Park in Rutherford County, is that place. It is here, in our own backyard, that you can stand on top of the 2,280foot obelisk of Henderson gneiss (pronounced nice) that rises some 1,200 feet above the floor of Hickory Nut Gorge, and gaze out over Lake Lure and some 75 miles of foothills terrain. Even on days that aren’t clear, it is an awesome site.

It was a 25-cent mule ride to the top of Chimney Rock in 1900 by a St. Louis physician named Lucius B. Morse that would eventually result in a park that would be run by his family for four generations. The start was a modest one, with just 64 acres. Over the years, additional land purchases brought the park to more than 1,000 acres. When the State of North Carolina purchased the park from the family in 2007, it added more than 4,000 acres from Hickory Nut Gorge to the park’s holdings. This was the first time the state had entered into such a public/private partnership for a park and by all accounts, it has worked exceptionally well.

Chimney Rock Park, which is open daily (weather permitting) except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, is truly a place for all seasons.

Its popularity makes it one of North Carolina’s top 25 visited attractions and it’s easy to understand why. It has a wide range of events, activities and programs throughout the year for kids of all ages, even those with decidedly gray hair.

Many of these are free or of nominal cost.

The Chimney Rock itself remains the primary attraction and you can reach it by climbing a long staircase or by taking a 30-second elevator ride up a 260foot shaft located more than 200 feet deep into the mountainside. At the time it was constructed, this was the state’s tallest elevator shaft. You exit into a gift shop and small snack bar.

The view is truly magnificent at the top, with Lake Lure, Hickory Nut Gorge and beautiful piedmont and foothills terrain lying before you. But this is not the highest point in the park: Another 200 feet of stair climbing will get you to Exclamation Point, which is 2,480 feet above sea level.

Left: The “Chimney Rock” at Chimney Rock State Park is a very distinctive rock formation. From its top, you can see almost 75 miles of foothills terrain.

Right Top: The Rocky Broad River, at the entrance to Chimney Rock, makes for a nice spot to relax and enjoy the view. A short walking trail meanders alongside the water and restaurants and are shops nearby. Right Middle: Wildflowers are numerous at Chimney Rock State Park throughout the warm months. Some of the first to make an appearance are Bloodroot. Right Bottom: While hiking and sightseeing are some of the main attractions at Chimney Rock, the park is also proud of its extensive programming for all ages. Here, Megan Rogers, the park’s public relations and events manager, welcomes visitors to the “Birdhouse,” a special feature of the park which highlights bird life within the park through exhibits and programs.

www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 41

Left Top: A unique trail system provides visitors to Chimney Rock State Park safe access to some of the higher points in elevation within the park. These stairs lead to the top of the “Chimney Rock, some 1,200 feet above the valley floor and 2,280 feet above sea level.” Left Bottom: For the discerning eye, this waterfall may look familiar. Think back to the 1992 movie The Last of the Mohicans for your clue. This is the 404 foot Hickory Nut Falls that was featured in a few of the scenes in the movie. Other scenes were filmed on the trails and rocky ledges within the park’s boundaries. Above: Views from the top of Chimney Rock can be awesome. Lake Lure is visible here and beyond, a view of almost 75 miles can be yours on a clear day. Even on overcast days, the view makes the trip a worthwhile one. Right: This is a classic tourism view of Chimney Rock, Lake Lure and the foothills of western N.C. from a nearby overlook. While impressive, it is just one of the special features of the park. Photos by Mark Alan Hudson The park has a great series of trails which cover more than four miles of terrain; you can connect them to get longer routes. Don’t let the short distances fool you; there is some serious hiking to be done here. But don’t let the strenuous trails deter you as there are some shorter and more sedate options suitable for the entire family. One of these leads to the 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls; if the falls look familiar, think back to the 1992 movie Last of the Mohicans for your clue.

The Great Woodland Adventure Trail is a must for all; it is a relatively short .6-mile walk but it has a wide array of interactive exhibits, sculptures and displays that are worth the visit. This general area also has a classroom and climbing wall where young mountaineers can try out their skills.

For the more seasoned and adventurous, the park offers rock climbing instruction, some of which is right at the main parking area. This is also one access point for the trail to Hickory Nut Falls, as well as other attractions such as the Bird House and Moonshiner’s Cave.

In addition to its sheer beauty, the park offers a wealth of nature across the wide range of flora and fauna found here. The park, because of its location and elevation, offers a bit of a “microclimate,” which means that it provides habitat for a wider range of plants and animals compared to locations nearby. In addition to common species that we are used to, you will also find those decidedly northern in origin.

Wildflowers are abundant from the first warm days of spring when bloodroot pokes through until November, when the last of the asters begin to fade. Birdlife is special here, with many species of warblers making this their summer home. If you are lucky, you may see some peregrine falcons, one of our endangered birds of prey that can reach diving speeds of more than 200 mph.

If you want to picnic, the park offers strategically placed tables and grills. Special needs visitors can also be accommodated with prior notification. Notable upcoming events in August include the Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad, dulcimer workshops and naturalist programs.

42 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

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Want to go?

Admission to the park is $14 for adults and $6 for kids ages 6 through 15. Group rates for 20 or more are available as are special events such as weddings, reunions and club outings. Contact the park at www.chimneyrockpark.com or by calling 800-277-9611.

Directions: Head west on Rt. 74 Bypass and connect with Rt. 9 north in Rutherford County. When you reach the “T� intersection at Rt. 64/Rt. 74A after about 17 miles, bear left through Lake Lure and on to Chimney Rock. The park entrance will be on your left.

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July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 43

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July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 49

At age 30, Bryan Thrift has the perfect job, at least for some of you. You see, he gets to go fishing every weekend and gets paid for it. That is, if he catches enough fish. Yep, Bryan is a professional fisherman.

I recently caught up with Bryan on his cell phone as he was wheeling through Tennessee. He was on his way to his next job site, if you want to call it that, on Lake Ouachita in Arkansas. The next FLW Outdoor bass tournament was scheduled there the last week of May, and Bryan was going to get in a few days of practice. The FLW tour is a six-tourney event which runs from March to August from Charlotte, N.C.’s Lake Norman to Alabama to Missouri. This is the major league level of fishing and offers the country’s best bass fishermen the chance to win six-figure cash prizes plus a $1 million cash prize for the winner of the final FLW Cup tourney the first week in August in Atlanta.

This tour’s abbreviated name stands for Forrest L. Wood, the founder of Ranger Boats and the developer of the modern bass boat. With sponsorship money from Wal-Mart and a TV contract on Fox Sports Net, the FLW Outdoor tour has become the richest fishing series in the world. It even has its own minor league system with smaller series based in every section of the country. This tour even has its own fantasy league like other sports.

Bryan, a Boiling Springs resident, has made quite a name and living for himself on this tour since 2004. He has fished some 64 FLW events since then with total earnings of around $620,000 according to his profile on www.flwoutdoors.com.

His stats also tell of 10 top-10 finishes during his six years on the tour. But his big breakthrough came this March when he had two straight top-five finishes before he reeled in, pardon the pun, his first tour win. Fishing what Bryan calls his hometown lake, he took the $125,000 top prize for winning the FLW Lake Norman title in the tournament which ran from March 24-27. “We all thought that it would take 12 ½ pounds of fish a day to win,” Bryan says. He blew by that with a total of over 58 pounds for his four days on the lake and won by over nine pounds.

After finishing out of the money last year in this same tournament, Bryan states that he “has a lot of confidence now. Last year I didn’t have that same confidence level.” Fishing Lake Norman frequently over the years also proved beneficial. “I’ve had a lot of top-10 finishes, so to finally get a win is really special,” he says. “I fished here last year and didn’t even get a check, so I got a little revenge today.”

Of course, Bryan’s fishing world is not the same as for most of us amateur anglers. He zips around a lake in a Ranger bass boat powered by a Yamaha motor.

On Lake Norman, “I probably fished 100 docks a day,” he says. He quickly moved from casting spot to casting spot, depending on whether he got a strike on his first few casts. So this is not your sitting-in-a-lawn-chair brand of fishing. Also, Bryan has several sponsors helping defray his fishing costs, which are considerable with travel, equipment and tournament entry fees, which may be $3,000-$4,000 per event. These sponsors include Great Outdoors from Cherryville and national companies such as Ranger Boats, Yamaha Motors and Damiki Lures. When I asked him how fast his bass boat goes, he answered simply, “It runs pretty good.”

Winning at Lake Norman “felt good,” he says, “because now we have some money in the bank for our child.” He and wife Allison Tolbert Thrift are expecting their first child this October. Allison, also a Cleveland County native, teaches fourth grade in Gaffney and can now afford to take a year off to spend with the baby.

So, as you can tell, life is very good for Bryan Thrift now. He is making money even when he’s “gone fishin’.”

Editors Note: Bryan reeled in 32 pounds of fish in the May tourney, netting 21st place overall.

50 F o o t h i l l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g ust 2010

www. foothillsspotlight. com

All images courtesy FLW Outdoors.

fishing in the foothills...

So, summertime is here and you feel like baiting a hook. You may not win a prize like Bryan Thrift’s (see accompanying article), but you’ll know what it feels like to get a bite just like the Brad Paisley tune. Here in the Foothills of North Carolina, you have plenty of options when it comes to fishing holes.

The choices range from small farm ponds which dot our countryside, to creeks and rivers and large impoundments.

Public options include navigable waters like our multitude of large creeks and rivers which include the Green, Broad and 2nd Broad Rivers in Rutherford County, and Buffalo Creek, and the Broad and 1st Broad Rivers in Cleveland County. The Broad River Greenway even has a handicapped-accessible fishing pier just downriver from the parking lot. Lakes also abound nearby, with many local pay-to-fish carp and catfish ponds such as Bar H, Bolin’s, Fluf’s, Midway, and Whit-Mar Lakes (see the local Yellow Pages). Larger local lakes include Adger, Lure and Moss in our foothills. Further afield, the Catawba River and its chain of lakes form an arc within easy driving range. These lakes flow south from Lake James to Rhodhiss to Hickory to Norman to Wylie to Wateree.

www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

These waters hold many game fish from muskie and trout in the waters of Rutherford County to catfish in Cleveland County’s rivers to .... ........... stripers in Lake Norman. In most local ponds .... and rivers, an angler can haul in fish including large and small-mouth bass, bream, catfish and crappie. So, whether you have a cane pole, a Zebco 202 or a fly rod, your catch awaits you. You can even go on guided fly fishing trips with local fisherman Matt Champion at www.southholstonriverflyshop. com.

Before casting your line, there are a few incidentals you have to take care of. For private property such as small creeks and ponds, always get the owner’s permission first. You also need a fishing license. A N.C. resident license costs $15 with a $10 addon for fishing trout game lands. You also need annual permits from the state and from some local lake jurisdictions for your boat. Go online at www.ncwildlife.org to find all state regulations. This site also lists the names of stores which sell licenses (with both Cleveland and Rutherford each having nine license agents).

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to go “fishing in the foothills.”

July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 51

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Ju l y / Au gu st 2010 F o o thi l l s S p o tl i g ht 53

July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 53

, t i n o w e e m W they will co

w o N

2 F o o t hills S p o t l i g h t J a n / F e b 2 0 1 0

WORDS BOB MORI

www. foothillsspotlight. com

The cry of “play ball” will resound throughout victorious Cleveland County when the American Legion World Series hits town in August 2011!

When recent news that Shelby will host the Series for the next four years hit the streets, a palpable shiver started running through hilltops and valleys.

Outside of a major company relocating to Shelby, this is the biggest event to hit the area in some time.

It could turn Shelby’s Keeter Stadium into a real “Field of Dreams,” since economic impact experts project around $2 million in added revenues for the county each year the Series is here!

But it’s not by accident that the county resounds with this good news. Tireless work by a host of people has gone into this success, starting in 2000 when Eddie Holbrook and Jim Horn got the first Baseball Bid Committee together to try and capture the event.

Eddie is a Cleveland County Commissioner and senior dean of development and governmental relations at Cleveland Community College. Jim is a former U.S. probation officer and state representative. The two men met years ago and were in business together for almost 10 years as

www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

co-owners of Four Star Sports with five sporting goods stores in Piedmont and Western Carolina communities.

It was their shared love of sports and community involvement that led them to become cochairpersons of the baseball group’s executive committee. Since then, the city has hosted the 2002 Southeastern Regional Tournament, the 2004 N.C. State Tournament and the 2008 Regionals and 2008 World Series, one of the most successful World Series in American Legion history.

Originally from Cleveland County, Jim excelled at football, basketball and baseball at Shelby High. He graduated as a history major from Wake Forest University and later took a master’s in public administration from N.C. State. He assistantcoached football and baseball at Rocky Mount Senior High before coming back to Shelby to complete a 25-year career with the federal court system before retiring. Jim also was executive director of the Gardner-Webb Bulldog Club in 1999.

Eddie, an Elkin, N.C., native, held a basketball head coaching position at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., before taking the reins as athletic

Far Left: The group who traveled all the way to Indinapolois celebrates their opportunity to present Cleveland County and Shelby to the National Office Committee Members. Top Left: A room full of orange shirts. Over 100 folks from the area attended the presentation in Indianapolois. Top Right: Eddie talks to the gang before they head back to Shelby. Bottom Left: A look out during the presentation at all of the volunteers who attended. Bottom Right: The Shelby contingent arrives at the hotel.

July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 55

director and basketball coach at Gardner-Webb University. During his tenure the athletic program gained national status. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Lenior-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C., where he played basketball, and a master’s from Furman as well as Appalachian State University.

The men lead a 16-member executive committee responsible for implementing a host of strategic and logistical tasks with the help of dozens of volunteers. These include stadium and field maintenance, concessions and hospitality, finance, public relations, operations, manpower, administration, banquet needs, transportation and medical needs. Keeter Stadium at Shelby High, updated after improvements made in 2002 to attract the regional playoffs and World Series in 2008, will be improved and expanded even

more to include such features as new dugouts, additional seating, a new scoreboard, and free WiFi access throughout the stadium. The proposed improvement plan also calls for the construction of a two-story World Series Headquarters Center to be ready when the Series comes to town in August 2011.

Based on the official acceptance letter received from Jim Quinlan, American Legion Baseball Coordinator at the organization’s headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind., Shelby has been designated as the permanent site of the World Series. This promise is contingent on a favorable review by the American Legion National Executive Committee for three of the four years Shelby will host the Series.

What were some of the challenges the executive committee faced in “pitching” this area to the

National Committee of the American Legion? “We knew we’d be the smallest of many cities initially competing for the honor,” Eddie admits. “That’s why we had to sell both the city of Shelby and Cleveland County as a regional concept to give us the advantage over Midwestern communities.” As the selection process came to a head, Shelby and Bartlesville, Oklahoma, became the two finalists.

Bartlesville, a city with 17,000 more population than Shelby, had the distinction of hosting the World Series twice in the past 10 years, most recently in 2007.

“The question the committee asked itself early on was what unique things can we do in our bid that would be considered visionary and more than the National Committee was looking for,” Eddie recalls. “We wanted to provide opportunities that would be unique to Shelby and Cleveland County

Left: Jim Horn (L) & Eddie Holbrook (R), cochairs for Cleveland County and Shelby’s bid for the American Legion World Series beginning in 2011. Right: The opening ceremony to the 2008 World Series held at Keeter Stadium at Shelby High School. Just imagine what 2011’s opening ceremony will be like.

56 F o o t h i l l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g ust 2010

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July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 57

such as providing an outdoor concert and extending the event two additional days so committee people and Series attendees could experience the many tourist attractions here, including Uptown activities.”

The main focus of baseball was wrapped in a total package of expanded tourism, and that’s where Cleveland County Tourism Director, Jackie Sibley, lent her expertise.

“My main job on the executive committee is to secure lodging for the teams and spectators,” Jackie explains. “Our goal is to keep the teams here with their families and attendees after the Series games to watch other matches. There’s a very large, loyal fan base devoted to Legion baseball that doesn’t have kids playing but travels to the games.

We’re trying to keep them in the area longer.”

Jackie, a Bluefield, W.Va., native, joined the county in 2007 after serving in tourism roles with the state of West Virginia and with the Susquehanna River Valley tourist operation in Pennsylvania.

“My challenge is to provide lodging for the event,” she says. “We have 600 motel rooms available in Cleveland County and we need over 1,000!” Jackie is also tasked with setting up spectator events in Cleveland and surrounding counties. “I want people to be excited about the series coming and to

58 F o o t h i l l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g ust 2010

show up for the games,” she exudes. “We’ll need hundreds of volunteers to work the ball field and carry out the workload details.”

What kept Jim Horn nervous about attracting the event? “From the start of preparing the presentation to the National Committee, we didn’t know who the opposition would be but we wanted to be better,” he remembers. “I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of total support from our governor’s office to the state’s Legion board to our city and county officials and from area businesses. It’s been outstanding!”

Eddie echoes Jim’s assessment. “From a total two-bus group of 105 traveling to Indianapolis, 20 of us had one hour to present to the National Committee,” he reflects. “We all sported orange jerseys representing local Post 82’s color, and when we went into the presentation room, we had a precise plan in place and executed it well.”

In a unanimous vote by the National Committee, Shelby won the contest, a decision relayed via cell phone to Eddie one-half hour after the buses left Indianapolis. “We were shocked and surprised. In our wildest dreams we never expected that!”

Even with a lot of additional stadium improvements and detailed logistics work remaining, can the shout of “batter up” be far away?

Above: Sample pages from the bid book that was developed for the intial selection rounds.

One of the key pieces that landed Shelby in the final three bid cities.

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Business After Hours

July 22nd •5:30 to 7:30 at Owl’s Eye Winery, featuring music from 3 Phase Beverage Sponsors: Fox Distributing and Owl’s Eye Winery RSVP by July 19 to 704-481-1144 or email to rick@jolleyelectric.com

Come join us to learn more about Jolley Electric and meet the Owners wners Rick and Donna Jolley.

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K C A B FLASH BILL CAMERON • Graduated from Crest High School in 1970.

1970.

• Was a 3 year letterman in football, basketball basketball and baseball.

• Was named the Athelete of the Year at Crest High School in 1970.

• Was named All-County in baseball.

• Played American Legion Baseball 3 years. years.

• Returned to Crest after college to coach football, baseball and men’s & women’s soccer.

• 1985 baseball team finished 23-5 losing in the state semifinals.

• Bill and his wife Beth have 2 children, Chris (30) and Jenny (27).

• Now spends his time piddling and writing writing for Foothills Spotlight Magazine.

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Ju lly/A y/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 61

JAY SEAGLE - Baseball - Burns Middle School Seagle came on in relief and pitched the final 5 innings to pick up the 3-2 win in the Tri County Middle School Championship.

Jay, an eigth grader, hit a solo homerun to put the Eagles on the scoreboard.

5

FAB

BRANDON SPIKES - Football BILLY KRIER - Distance Runner - Thomas Jefferson Christian Academy Krier, a 9th grader, took fifth place in the 3200 meters with a time of 10:42.34. He was also seventh in the 1600 meters with a time of 4:46.34 at the State 1A Track & Field Championships at N.C. A&T University in Greensboro. Recently Billy won the Kings Mountain Gateway Trails 5K and the Impact for Fitness 5K race in Forest City.

KENDALL KEE - Track - Crest High School Kee had a busy yet successful spring track season. The junior sprinter returned from the NCHSAA 3A championships in Greensboro with 3 gold medals as he won the individual state title in the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.84 seconds. He then ran a leg on the winning 4x100 relay and the 4x200 relay teams helping the Chargers to a 2nd place finish. Also, Kee competed at the Roberto Clemente Sports Complex in San Juan, Puerto Rico and won the gold in the 100 meters with a personal best of 10.61 seconds. He also ran the second leg of the United States 4x100 meter relay team, which won the gold medal.

Former Crest High School and University of Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes was drafted in the 2nd round by the New England Patriots in this year’s NFL draft. Spikes was the 30th player selected in the 2nd round and the 62nd player taken overall. Spikes is the first Crest graduate to be drafted by the NFL. While at Florida, he was named to the AP All-American team as both a junior and senior.

ANDREW WHITE - Baseball - Catawba Valley Community College

White threw a no hitter against New River Community College.

He struck out 8 and walked 2 in the effort. He finished the season with a 7-3 record with 1 save, a 3.90 ERA and had 7 complete games and 4 shutouts. White, a former Shelby High and Post 82 standout, helped lead the Buccaneers to a 31-20 record in their inaugural season.

To nominate an area athlete for the Fab 5, please email sdavis@ccagency.net.

All ages and all sports nominations are welcome.

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S p eci al A d vert i si ng S ect i on

What You Need to Know

R

About Oral Cancer WORDS YOUNG & ASSOCIATES

egular dental checkups can detect oral cancers early, before

Who Is at Risk for Oral Cancer?

they’ve spread, and your dentist will probably see the signs

You are at increased risk of developing oral cancer if you:

before you do.

•

Use tobacco products. Tobacco use — smoking cigarettes, pipes,

Oral cancer can affect any part of the mouth, lips, or the back of the

or cigars, or using snuff or chewing tobacco — causes 75 percent of

throat. About 35,000 Americans are diagnosed with some forms of

all cases of oral cancer.

oral cancer each year, and of those, approximately 7,500 will die from

•

the condition. Most oral cancers — about two-thirds — are found in the mouth, while the rest are found in the pharynx, a part of the throat

Drink alcohol. Heavy alcohol use, especially when combined with tobacco use, increases your risk of developing oral cancer.

•

that’s just behind the mouth and nasal cavity.

Get too much sun, which can increase your risk of developing lip cancer.

The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups

•

Eat an unhealthy diet, which can increase your overall cancer risk.

Checking for oral cancer is a regular part of dental check-ups. At each

•

Are over the age of 40. Most people who are diagnosed with oral

check-up, your dentist or hygienist will examine your entire mouth for signs of precancerous spots and may spot something before you can see it.

cancer are over 40.

•

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The Long-Term Outlook The survival rate for people who have oral cancers is poor — just about half of all of those diagnosed with oral cancer survive beyond five years. This is probably because a lot of oral cancer is caught in later stages, when it’s harder to treat.

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July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 67

Eddie Holbrook Visionary Playmaker WORDS GILDA PRUITT

A lot of people say ¹at I’m a dreamer...

68 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

To say Eddie Holbrook is a man of many accomplishments is truly an understatement.

Early on he learned to be a playmaker as point guard on his high school and college basketball teams. Today he continues to be a playmaker for Cleveland County as evidenced in his recent involvement in helping bring the American Legion World Series to our area.

He is the son of the late Rev. B. R. and Velda Holbrook, originally of Hildebran, N.C. He graduated from Hildebran High School in 1957.

Eddie received a scholarship to play basketball for Lenoir Rhyne College. He started as point guard for two years and during that time found himself in the Top10 in the nation in free throw shooting. He graduated in1962 with a major in health and physical education and a minor in history.

After graduation Eddie accepted a coaching job at Chase High School in Rutherford County. His career plan was to coach for 10 years and move to another level. But after two years at Chase High, Gardner-Webb, then a junior college, recruited him for their basketball program. The program was almost non-subsidized. The president of the college at the time, Dr. Eugene Poston, philosophically said that if the college could raise money, then it would subsidize the program more. That comment started Eddie’s first endeavor in fund raising.

Eddie states, “I had more success than I deserved and became a national entity in basketball circles, because we landed great recruits. A coach is no better than his players.

“At this point,” Eddie says, “I wanted to see what was out there in Division I (university level). I tried for a year with no success. I decided I’d give it one more year, so the next year I had three Division I offers — Furman, Austin Peay and Appalachian State.

“I went to Furman and we were extremely successful. We won the Southern Conference Championship. It was an eye opener, the four years I spent there. I realized that I didn’t want to coach all my life. I had little family life. It was a 5:00 a.m.-to-midnight job if you wanted to win.”

After four years at Furman, Eddie took a job at Inland Container and did public relations for Nike (he was on the Nike board while at Furman), traveling over the country for Nike, concentrating on Division I sports.

Then a different twist came in his career — Jim Horn and Gene Matheney got an opportunity to buy a sporting goods business in Shelby. “I joined them in this venture but after a while found out that wasn’t what I wanted to do either,” Eddie says.

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About this time, Gardner-Webb, now a university, started a campaign. Eddie was approached about fund raising. So he sold his portion of the sporting goods store and went to work in development at GWU. Then Cam Corder, Stuart LeGrand and Robin Hendrick brought him on board in the campaign for Dover Foundation YMCA. He led the campaign which brought that entity to fruition.

“Toward the end of that campaign, Dr. Steve Thornburg approached me and said that Cleveland Community College needed a division encompassing community relations, governmental relations and development,” Eddie says. “I took the job and the job was a transformation in goals you want to achieve with your life. I’ve had glorious success — my days in the sun in athletic arenas — and the one thing I want to achieve with the rest of my life is to see what I can contribute to the community.”

This ability to contribute was enhanced four years ago when Eddie was elected to the Board of Cleveland County Commissioners.

“There is a parallel with economic development and athletics. The better the athlete, the more time must be spent in recruiting. The same holds true for businesses -- the bigger the business, the bigger the name of the business, the more competitive is the process,” Eddie says.

“It is interesting to see the growth of the college — the Bailey Center, and the Development Center Project -- the LeGrand Center, which is a joint effort of the CCC Foundation, Cleveland County and the public school system,” Eddie says.

“A lot of people say that I’m a dreamer,” Eddie says, “but if you put together the right people in an organization, then sell an idea, things will happen.”

Editors Note: As Foothills Spotlight was going to press, we learned that Eddie had been recognized with North Carolina’s highest civilian award, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

eddie’s highlights...

Cleveland County Commissioner Shelby, NC, 2006-Present eConomiC development Coordinator for Board As Economic Development Coordinator for Board with the Commissioners, has helped lead the revitalization of Cleveland County with the Cliffside/Southern Energy project, the Duke Energy training facility and the recent announcement of Clearwater Paper. senior dean, development & Governmental relations Cleveland Community College, Shelby, NC, 2001-Present direCtor of development Cleveland County Family YMCA, Shelby, NC, 1997-2000 direCtor of development and fundraisinG Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC, 1993-1997 SPORTS AND ATHLETIC CAREER Head CoaCH, Furman University, Greenville, SC, 1978-1982 Conference Championship NCAA Tournament (1980) atHletiC direCtor and BasketBall CoaCH Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC, 1964-1978 • Record: 414 wins, 121 losses.

• Coach of the Year in region six times.

• Divisional Coach of the Year by the Associated Press.

• Coached 11 teams reaching the Top 10 in the country in their divisions.

HONORS/AWARDS • 2008 Lions Club Citizen of the Year.

• 2008 Duke Energy Citizenship Service Award for Cleveland County.

• Co-Chairman, 2008 American Legion Southeastern Regionals & Legion World Series.

• Cleveland County Hall of Fame.

• Gardner-Webb Hall of Fame; member of first class of inductees.

• Lenoir-Rhyne Hall of Fame.

• Co-Chairman of the 2004 NC American Legion State Tournament.

• Served on the NC Department of Parks & Recreation Authority (1998-2008).

• Co-Chairman of the 2010 American Legion World Series Bid. • 2010 Recipient of NC’s highest civilian award, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

PERSONAL HIgHLIgHTS We asked his personal highlights and he was quick to answer. He listed his family.

Father of 2 unbelievably successful children. Daughter Nicole is a computer sales professional with a wonderful family including 2 girls and a boy. Son Chad, a father of 2 sons, is an acclaimed baseball coach for the University of South Carolina. In 2010, he participated in his 4th college World Series.

He’s had the good fortune to have been married to 2 amazing women. He lost his first wife, Bobbie, to cancer after 36 years of marriage. He is currently happily married to Millie Keeter-Holbrook and stepfather to Brittany and Patrick.

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July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 69

From roomy sofas to cozy chairs, bargains abound on Norwalk seating during our Summer Sale & Clearance. Save hundred on select Norwalk floor samples, discontinued items, and one-of-a-kinds. Plus, enjoy special savings on many of the styles and 1000+ fabrics and leathers available as Norwalk custom orders.

NORWALK SOFAS START AT JUST $899, NOW THRU AUG 31, 2010

2011 S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC 704-482-8464 www.norrismerchandise.com Mon-Fri 8:00-5:30 Saturday 8:00-3:00 70 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2010

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July/A July/August ugust 2010 2010 Foothills Foothills Spotlight Spotlight 71 71

Convenience in one location and under one roof.

We provide the convenience of everything in one location and under one roof. Our services include: Primary Care, Endocrinology Associates, Gaston Neurology, CaroMont Rehab and Sports Medicine, Speectrum Labs, X-Ray - Ultrasounds - Echocardiogram, Sleep

Health, and a Diabetic Center. Our office is located in the CaroMont Professional Building from 8 am to 8 pm. Call today to make an appointment: 704-484-8001. Providers: Dr Robert Jones, Jr., Dr Mary Jones and Dr. Christopher Denning.

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72 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2010

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Over the next few months we will discuss the health benefits of Muscadines and Muscadine wine and how the consumption of antioxidants can help prevent the aforementioned diseases and signs of aging. We will also discuss how antioxidants protect mental function, lower cholesterol and promote overall good health.

Larry Cagle, Jr WoodMill Winery, Inc.

Black & Blue Festival

A celebration of the blackberry harvest and bluegrass music

Saturday July 24th 10am-7pm

Featured Bands Include: Sweet Potato Pie, A Deeper Shade of Blue, Flint Hill & Dave Richardson and Cutting Edge Proceeds Benefit Relay for Life - Hesed House of Hope, Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse Blackberry Jam and Jelly Contest, Introducing - Blackberry Sangria Local Farm Fresh Blackberry’s and value added products available Admission $10.00 at the door, Kids 12 and under Free Free Parking - Rain or Shine Event

5th Annual Grape Stomp Festival Saturday August 28th 10am-5pm Sunday August 29th 12am-5pm

Up to 50 different Vendors to include: Art, Handmade Crafts, Wood Turning, Pottery, Music, Carriage Rides, Nursery Plants, Jewelry, Food and Wine Tastings all day Fundraisers to provide food will include Hesed House of Hope - Relay for Life Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse Children’s “Fun” Zone Includes Inflatable’s, Face Painting, Child’s Activities and Child’s Grape Stomp Area.

Bluegrass / Country Music by Crusher Run Square Dancing by Lincoln Squares Free Admission - Free Parking Rain or Shine Event

Muscadines Healthiest Grape Ever Tested!

The discovery that Muscadine grapes are naturally high in healthful antioxidants has led to an expansion of the Muscadine industry in North Carolina. Antioxidants help protect the body from the damaging effects of oxygen free radicals, which can contribute to degenerative diseases.

Source: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University

Muscadines (vitis rotundifolia) are native to the south eastern United States and thrive on the heat and humidity common to the region. Muscadines are known for producing extremely high levels of Resveratrol, an antioxidant that blocks the negative effects of unstable molecules that occur naturally in the human body called free radicals. Free radicals are known to cause cell damage and have been linked to heart disease, stroke, signs of aging, and certain types of cancers and macular degeneration of the eye. For this reason, Muscadine grapes are currently being sought after as a renewable source for Resveratrol and have been deemed nature’s healthiest grape.

In order to understand the magnitude of the discovery of potent and powerful antioxidants in the Muscadine Grape, one must understand a little about free radicals.

The body’s natural metabolism produces oxygen free radicals which are unbalanced oxygen atoms (atoms with a missing or un-repaired electron.) These free radicals are predators in the body that try to replace the missing electrons by raiding and extracting electrons from other molecules. This raiding and extraction damages all DNA and tissue contacted until stopped by antioxidants and enzymes naturally produced by the body. As we age, our body’s production of antioxidants and enzymes decreases, and we see symptoms of the battle against free radicals in wrinkles, age spots, and stooped posture.

The U.S. National Institute of Health has determined that one of the primary causes of deteriorating health as we age is this relentless attack from free-radicals. It has been estimated that each cell in our body is attacked by free-radicals 10,000 times a day. With the body’s decreased production of neutralizing antioxidants and enzymes, another way to battle free-radicals is to eat plants high in antioxidants which the body can use to neutralize free-radicals and thus reduce the amount of damage our body suffers.

North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association Copyright © 2007; All Rights Reserved

1350 WoodMill Winery Lane, Vale, NC 28168 ~ (704) 276-9911 ~ www.woodmillwinery.com www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

Woodmill Advertorial.indd 1

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6/25/2010 5:02:17 PM

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200 W. Grover Street, Shelby, NC 704-487-8591 www.shelbysurgical.com 74 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2010

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. . . o g A s r a e Y 65 Shelby’s own American Legion team sweeps 15 straight games and brings home the World Series Title.

Did You Know?

The story goes that the Championship trophy was put on the team bus for the return trip to Shelby, but mysteriously was never seen again. It’s whereabouts remain a mystery to this day.

Photos courtesy of the Shem Blackley Family PHOTOJOURNALIST RUSTY PATTERSON

summertime is WORDS WADE NICHOLS

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here are all kinds of song lyrics to talk about a classic summertime feeling, whether it’s carefree and easy or slower than molasses. Usually there’s a standard line about the heat, the slowing of time, or something else that has ground to a halt because it is summer and it is time to change gears.

If you’re looking for a great reason to change gears, come on Uptown this summer; we’re celebrating with great music and movies. Wolf Creek is playing on July 1, with bluegrass and country-style music to frame a tribute to the men and women of this area who are veterans. Be sure to bring along your medals or any insignia wear, or come along to offer a tribute to someone you know.

On Aug. 5, you can relive your wild, younger years with Mother’s Finest, one of the more memorable groups in the classic Funk Rock tradition. Be sure to dress for hot weather and hot music for this event.

If Mother’s Finest doesn’t find you in the best shape for wild dancing, just remember the great walking trails centered on Court Square. Three different trails, from one to three miles, start from the Square, the longest incorporating a stroll or power walk through City Park. It’s part of the Eat Smart-Move More effort here in Cleveland County, so come on out to use the best free fitness facility available anywhere.

Movie classics in the summer change from generation to generation. The Uptown Movie Series is responding by adding a couple of classics to earlier standards with the original Pink Panther in July and E.T. in August. These and

other animated kid-friendly movies are being shown in the Exhibition Hall at The Don Gibson Theatre, so come on out and enjoy the air-conditioned comfort with movies that are only $1. The popcorn is free and we don’t have to worry about rain this year!

We will be helping Shelby and Cleveland County get ready for summer’s end and the return to a faster pace when we welcome the Caribbean Cowboys to Uptown on Aug. 19. They were the next best thing to an island vacation last year, so we’re asking them back to help us all do that back-to-school, back-to-work thing.

We hope you can spend your Thursday nights in Uptown this summer. There’s great food, good shopping, entertainment and fun all around. * Wade Nichols is Executive Director of Uptown Shelby Association, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. For more information, see www.uptownshelby.org or find us on Facebook for up-to-date schedules.

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July/A ug 2010 Foothills Spotlight 77

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For the astute observer, a sense of sweet irony was in the air when Gov. Bev Purdue made a visit to Cleveland Community College on Thursday, June 10. After all, students around Cleveland County were celebrating their first day of summer vacation, a carefree time when “work� would be far removed from their minds. You could easily visualize the smiles on their faces.

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or local officials, community and business leaders, the smiles were for a different reason as they were celebrating the arrival of work, some 250 jobs worth, paying good wages and with benefits. As Gov. Purdue made the announcement that it was now official, that the Clearwater Paper Company, headquartered in Spokane, Wash., would be building a major plant on the outskirts of Shelby later this year, the audience erupted in cheers.

The announcement was a welcome one for the local economy; which has had some of the worst unemployment in the entire state. On the day of the announcement, Cleveland County unemployment was at 13.6 percent, higher than both the state average of 11.1 percent and the national average of 9.7 percent.

The n e w operation, a facility that will produce ultra grades of private label tissue products, is expected to be fully on line by the second half of 2012 and will begin limited production during the second half of 2011.

Gov. Purdue, in welcoming the company to North Carolina, detailed some of the high level negotiations at both the local and state level to assist the company in making its site selection.

She applauded work by the Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership (CCEDP), a public/private initiative involving local governmental entities, Cleveland County government, the City of Shelby and the Cleveland County Chamber, among others. She noted that Clearwater Paper is a highly respected, very competitive and successful company and that this announcement was a “big deal,” not only for the county but for North Carolina as well.

When Clearwater CEO Gordon Jones, who has ties to the state and owns a home in Asheville, made his remarks, he began by looking at this management team and saying, “Wow! We picked the right place, guys.” He then highlighted components of the project and their timeline for getting production underway.

In addition to the significant employment the new plant will bring, Jones said Clearwater will also be

www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

making a major capital investment in its new facility.

The major portion of the operation will be a ThroughAir-Dried (TAD) paper machine that is 200 inches in width and almost a city block long, coupled with seven converting lines that will enable production of high-grade paper products such as napkins, paper towels and toilet tissue. While not a “sexy” product line, it is one that produces good business returns for those who can efficiently produce and distribute the products.

Jones noted that their production accounts for about 56 percent of the private label market in the United States, making Clearwater Paper the national leader in sales. The future looks bright for their product lines since the company expects to continue to grow as the population increases.

Jones said the capital commitment the company is making is one that should keep it here for many years to come.

As with Gov. Purdue, Jones noted that one of the reasons the company chose Shelby and Cleveland County was the high level of teamwork and responsiveness of the team that Clearwater Paper representatives experienced during the site evaluation and selection process. This process took more than a year and involved about 100 sites in several Southeastern states.

According to Kristin Fletcher, executive vice president for the CCEDP, the project has been on the radar locally for a solid year. “We felt we had a good shot for this project from the beginning,” she says. She notes that there were good sites in both Kings Mountain and in Shelby and that company officials actually considered two in Shelby before selecting the location on Washburn Switch Road near the PPG plant. “I think this speaks volumes about the quality of the sites we have available in Cleveland County,” she adds.

This is one of several factors that resulted in the Shelby site for its new operation, according to Clearwater officials. The site will have excellent access to major highways such as I-85, I-26 and I-40. In addition to trucking capabilities, the plant will also have rail service availability for the delivery of pulp to be used in their products.

According to David Dear, county manger, the actions of the county to purchase the site five years ago and the commitment by the City of Shelby to supply utility infrastructure were also big draws for Clearwater. He noted that this was a big deal at the time, especially when there was no solid

commitment that a business would use the site. He says it was the right thing to do to be in a position to compete for a company like Clearwater Paper.

Dear, as well as Jones, highlighted that the manufacturing process at the plant should make local residents happy as there will be no “paper mill” processing smells associated with the production lines. The processing of the paper into pulp will be done elsewhere and the pulp will be delivered via tanker cars to the plant. The plant will utilize gas and water services from the City of Shelby and electrical services from Duke Energy.

The actual capital investment in the plant is expected to be in the range of $260 million to $280 million; the amount includes land acquisition, plant construction, storage facilities and the production equipment. The investment is expected to be spaced over five years with over 80 percent of the figure committed by 2012, according to Jones.

With such an investment, it is no surprise that states and localities worked furiously to land the plant. Coupled with a workforce of some 250 people with an average wage of some $38,000 and benefits, the trickle down impact to area businesses will be significant. According to one expert, every new manufacturing job will translate into an additional two service sector jobs.

Because of such potential, significant incentives were offered locally and by the State to keep Cleveland County in the game. These included incentives from Cleveland County, the City of Shelby, the State of North Carolina, the Golden Leaf Foundation and Gardner-Webb University, among others. The total value of incentives to the company is estimated at a potential of $50 million.

According to Fletcher, such incentives are not universally endorsed but are accepted as the cost of remaining competitive. “The incentives keep us on a level playing field,” she says. In the end, it is the community that sells itself to the company as the best overall choice. “We clearly believe that Cleveland County is a great choice for a company like this and we’re glad they have agreed with us.”

As she reflected upon the events of the day, she said, “Economic Development is truly a collaborative effort and we have a phenomenal team.”

The results back her up; the home team clearly won big.

July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 79

Foothills Ad.ai

4/18/2010

12:00:19 PM

Seasonal Family Pool Membership - $400 (May 1st-Sept 30th) Annual Individual Golf Membership - $800 (Access until April 1, 2011)

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Cleveland Country Club

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1360 East Marion Street Shelby, North Carolina

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For more informa�on, call 704-482-1711 or email us at cccmembership@carolina.rr.com

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2001-76 East Dixon Blvd, Shelby, NC 28152 (704) 482-7882 TourClevelandCounty.com 7/1 Alive After Five Featuring ”Wolfe Creek,” Cleveland County Court Square, Shelby, www.UptownShelby.org 7/3

Kings Mountain Fabulous 4th YMCA Walking Track, Kings Mountain, www.CityofKM.com

7/6,8 “Birds of Prey” Program at South Mountain State Park Connelly Springs, www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo 7/8 Uptown Movie Night “The Pink Panthers,” Don Gibson Theatre Event Area, Shelby, www.UptownShelby.org 7/10

Kingstown Founders Day Celebration, Kingstown, 704-484-9776

7/13, 15 Birds: “The Good, the Bad, and the Funny,” South Mountain State Park, Connelly Springs, www.ncparks.gov/Viist/parks/somo 7/15 Alive After Five “Blues Night,” Cleveland County Court Square, Shelby, www.UptownShelby.org 7/20,22 “Owl Pellets” Program at South Mountain State Park, Connelly Springs, www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo 7/21-7/24 11th Annual “Real to Reel International Film Festival” Kings Mountain, www.realtoreelfest.com 7/22 Uptown Movie Night “Planet 51” Don Gibson Theatre Event Area, Shelby, www.UptownShelby.org 7/24

Kings Mountain Beach Blast, Downtown Kings Mountain, www.CityofKM.com

7/27, 29 “Element of Disguise” Program at South Mountain State Park, Connelly Springs, www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo 8/3 National Night Out in Kings Mountain 6-10 pm. Patriots Park Gazebo. 704-734-0333. www.CityofKM.com 8/3,5 Streamside Hike at South Mountain State Park, Connelly Springs, www.nc.parks.gov/Visit/parks/como 8/3-7

Bethware Community Fair, Kings Mountain, 704-734-1947

8/5 Alive After Five Featuring “Mother’s Finest” Cleveland County Court Square, Shelby, www.UptownShelby.org 8/10, 12 Caddisfly Cases at South Mountain State Park, Connelly Springs, www.nc.parks.gov/Visit/parks/como 8/12 Uptown Classic Movie Night “ET” Don Gibson Theatre Event Area, Shelby, www.UptownShelby.org

Between The Rivers Winetrail According to legend, “This area of land that lay between the Catawba River and the Broad River was referred to by the Catawba and Cherokee Native American tribes as the Eswau Huppeday--the land between the rivers. These two tribes fought many times over this land, with neither side achieving any clear victory, until they agreed to a permanent peace and treaty to leave this land open for both tribes to hunt and travel.”

Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy the exceptional taste of North Carolina wines and to experience the beauty of wine growing on the vines in this area.

Owl’s Eye Vineyard & Winery 1414 Metcalf Road Shelby, (704) 471-9196 www.OwlsEyeVineyard.com Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard & Winery 3521 Fallston-Waco Road Fallston, NC (704) 616-3885 www.BakerBuffaloCreek.com

Woodmill Winery 1350 WoodMill Winery Lane Vale, (704) 276-9911 www.WoodmillWinery.com

8/17,19 Let’s Talk Turkey at South Mountain State Park, Connelly Springs, www.nc.parks.gov/Visit/parks/como 8/19 Alive After Five Featuring “Caribbean Cowboys” Cleveland County Court Square, Shelby, www.UptownShelby.org 8/26 Cleveland County Astronomical Society at the Williams Observatory Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, www.ccastro.org 8/28 Summerfest , Shelby City Park, Shelby, www.CityOfShelby.com/Parks 82 Foothills Spotlight May /June 2010

www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

www.foothillsspotlight.com

July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 81

WORDS ADAM HINES

on granola

At the conclusion of the recent Over the Mountain Triathlon, I stood between the gazebo and splash pad in Patriots Park in downtown Kings Mountain watching kids splash around and athletes re-hydrate on water and fresh orange quarters.

“So begins summer,” I thought.

One of the triathletes who had traveled from New Jersey to finish eighth overall turned to me, and with a satisfied tone, said, “Kings Mountain is like Mayberry on Granola.”

Maybe that’s your view of Kings Mountain, maybe not.

As a resident of just 15 months, I can tell you that Kings Mountain is similar to the fictional Mayberry in that citizens know and care about their neighbors and welcome visitors with true Southern hospitality, “granola” or not. However, Kings Mountain is not a sleepy little town disconnected from the outside world. As you are filling your recreation time this July and August, consider the following opportunities in little ole’ Kings Mountain.

For July 4, the city hosts The Fabulous 4th, a Revolutionary spin on the traditional celebration that attracts over 10,000 people annually. This patriotic event starts at noon with eight Revolutionary brigades, mock battles, musket and cannon fire, music by “Continental Divide,” a parade led by the Loch Norman Pipe Band and the best fireworks in five counties.

Does this sound like Mayberry to you?

Two short weeks later on July 21-24, you can travel the world without even leaving your seat at the Joy Performance Center. Buy yourself a Festival Pass to view the artistic work of 30 international media and film artists from such places as Germany and Australia at the Real to Reel International Film Festival. Festivities include nightly films, a silent auction, a raffle, audience choice awards and a wrap-up party. I wonder if the triathlete will know to come back for this “granola” event?

As the film festival concludes on July 24, you can head down the block to the beach and beer garden created for you at Patriots Park as part of the 11th Annual Beach Blast.

Sun, sand, surf and music -- that’s what you will find when you come early and stay late. You can enjoy beach bands while your kids dance around on the splash pad and play

82 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2 010

water wars on Gold Street. True to Mayberry charm, you can enter the watermelon eatin’ contest, watch the mayor drop beach balls from a fire truck ladder, ride on the Little Blue Choo Choo, watch a comedic pirates duel, dig for pirate booty in the county’s largest sand pile, or stroll among the vendors’ tents to buy some locally-produced eats, treats and crafts. The concerts are free and there will be plenty of good cookin’, such as sweet potato sticks, and cold beverages, including beer.

Looking for the quiet and quaintness of Mayberry?

How about a walk, ride, or stroll on the world-class Kings Mountain Gateway Trail? This is the first greenway in Cleveland County to be designated as part of the Carolina Thread Trail Network of Greenways. Boasting facilities not typical of TV-land Mayberry, you will find stacked stone and cedar timbers as you enter the bathrooms and picnic pavilion or use the outdoor grills or stone-stacked water fountain with a dog-watering station. You might even catch a glimpse of the wild goats that stroll along the fence that surrounds the quarry! Be sure to come back to the trail for the one-year anniversary celebration in November when the current 3.8mile trail will add another 2.8 miles around the quarry and over Interstate 85!

Life in Mayberry was certainly comedic and Kings Mountain, too, has a sense of humor. But our local actors from the Kings Mountain Little Theatre are serious about their comedy and will be putting on the play “Murder Most Foul” this August with four evening showings on Aug. 13, 14, 20 and 21 and one matinee showing on Aug.15. Come be entertained in the intimacy and welcome of The Joy Performance Theatre. This may be the last year you sit in the original seats as the theater will be getting an interior face lift very soon!

Independent film festival, world-class trail facilities, triathlons, comedic plays, a renovated theater, mock Revolutionary battles and the best fireworks in five counties.

Does this sound like Mayberry to you? Come out and see for yourself this July and August in Kings Mountain.

ADAM HINES is the exective director of Economic Development for the Kings Mountain Downtown Development Association and Main Street Program known locally as “The Mountaineer Partnership, Inc.”

www. foothillsspotlight. com

Dr. Benson Timmons, MD, FACS Dr. Eric Emerson, MD Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery Surgical Center AAAA Certified

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GASTONIA

649 N. New Hope Road Gastonia, NC 28054 Phone (704) 866-4005 Fax (704) 866-0450

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1200 Village Harbor Drive Lake Wylie, SC 29710 Phone (704) 866-4005 Fax2010 (704) 866-0450 July/A ugust Foothills Spotlight 83

For more information, visit www.seplasticsurgery.com

Foothills Spotlight Magazine would like to thank Kevin Frane, Operations Manager of Kitchen Ventilation Systems, for developing and implementing an intership program for high school students at his plant this spring. It gave the students an opportunity to design, build and decorate a useful end product, the three new racks for our magazine shown here.

Check out Kitchen Ventilation Systems at www.Greenheck.com.

Kitchen Ventilation Systems will be featured in a future edition of Foothills Spotlight Magazine.

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Advertisers Index

243 South ..................................................................... 13 Absolute Collision .......................................................... 63 Allen Tate ....................................................................... 15 Alpha Mailing ................................................................. 23 American Restoration .................................................... 11 Bath and Kitchen of Shelby ........................................... 38 Bayada .......................................................................... 39 Bellus Tu ........................................................................ 13 Bootstrap ...................................................................... 37 Bradley’s........................................................................ 62 CaroMont ................................................................ 10, 72 Champion Communications ...................................... 4, 64 Choloe’s Boutique ......................................................... 13 Cleveland Community College ......................................... 2 Cleveland Country Club ................................................. 80 Cleveland Health Care System......................................... 5 Cleveland Lumber.......................................................... 24 Cleveland Women’s Network Sponsor ........................... 21 Computer Connections ................................................. 65 Cornerstone Dental Associates...................................... 17 Cottonwood Veterinary Animal Hospital ........................... 8 CPTArx .......................................................................... 21 Mary Kay / Lucille Davis ................................................. 15 Drug Force .................................................................... 11 Flaunt Inc....................................................................... 15 Foothills ASU Alumni Chapter ........................................ 46 Got You Covered ........................................................... 19 Graciono’s ..................................................................... 67 Gragg & Gragg .......................................................... 3, 47 Green River ................................................................... 11 Hallelujah Acres ............................................................. 70 Hamrick’s Produce ........................................................ 15 Hendrick’s Appliance ..................................................... 53 Higher Learning ............................................................. 24 Holly’s Flowers ............................................................... 72 Hospice of Cleveland County......................................... 71 Integrity Bookkeeping .................................................... 53 It’s All in the Bag ............................................................ 47 Jolley Electric................................................................. 60 Keeter Ford ................................................................... 60 Kid Senses .................................................................... 17 Laughin Furniture ........................................................... 15 Little Debbie To the Rescue ........................................... 37 Lora Gold NC Farm Bureau ........................................... 37 Max D. Jones & Associates ........................................... 52 Monroe Tire ................................................................... 63 Norris Furniture ......................................................... 65,70 Owl’s Eye Vineyard & Winery, LLC ........................... 19, 47 Papa’s Pizza To Go ........................................................ 71 Phyllis Cakes ................................................................. 71 Pine Grove Golf Club ..................................................... 59 Plaster Family Dentist .................................................... 21 PlayGround Safety ......................................................... 64 Pleasant CIty Woodfired Grille ........................................ 80 Positively Paper ............................................................. 64 Personnel Services Unlimited ......................................... 23 Redbone WIlly’s ............................................................... 6 Salon 206 ...................................................................... 77 Scissor Smith and Co. Salon ......................................... 23 Southeastern Plastic Surgery ......................................... 83 Settle Heating & Air Conditioning ....................... 53, 63, 87 Shelby Eye Center ..................................................... 9, 46 Shelby Hardware ........................................................... 59 Shelby Savings Bank ..................................................... 62 Shelby Surgical .............................................................. 74 Smoke on the Square .................................................... 48 Sterling House ............................................................... 23 Summit Place ................................................................ 48 Suzy B’s ........................................................................ 23 Teddy and Meekins........................................................ 88 The Hearing Aid Center ................................................. 64 Town of Forest City ........................................................ 74 Uptown Shelby Association ........................................... 67 Victorian Rose Studio .................................................... 77 Walker Carpet................................................................ 37 WGWG .......................................................................... 67 Whisker’s Nails and Puppy Dog Tails.............................. 39 Wine Trail ....................................................................... 81 Woodmill Winery ............................................................ 73 YMCA...................................................................... 13, 39 Young & Associates ....................................................... 66

www. fo o t h i l l s s p o t l i g h t .c o m

Now is the

perfect time

for your

dream

home

Contact These Cleveland

County Home Builders

Glenn Williams Construction builds high quality custom homes throughout a four county area in the foothills off North Carolina.We are licensed by the state as an unlimited residential and commercial builder and are recognized by the National Association of Home Builders as Certified Green Professionals.

Glenn Williams Construction is building for the future, today.

GLENN WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION, INC. 704-434-5576 www.glennwilliamsconstruction.com

Looking to build a custom home that reflects your personality with a company that listens and works hard to exceed your expectations? Then W W Contractors is the company for you!

We’ve been building custom homes in Boiling Springs, Gastonia, Kings Mountain and Shelby, NC since 1977.

WW CONTRACTORS, INC. 704-487-5226 www.ronniewhetstine.com

Carolina Artisans Construction in Shelby, NC serves residential and commercial customers. We specialize in Land Development, churches, commercial, custom construction and homes. Serving Cleveland County & Surrounding Areas for 32 Years CAROLINA ARTISANS CONSTRUCTION Eddie Kee, President Darrell Ledbetter, Vice President 724 S Morgan Street, Shelby, NC 28150 704-487-1071 www.carolinaartisans.net

A licensed residential and commercial builder specializing in custom homes.

We are dedicated to honesty, integrity and quality work. Our attention to detail will exceed your expectations.

HOWARD BUILDERS CONSTRUCTION, INC. 1414 Chatfield Rd. Shelby, NC 28150 704-472-0745 eghoward@carolina.rr.com

Southern Craftsmen is a small but solid building and contracting company with a reputation for integrity and reliability.

We have an unlimited license to build residential or commercial projects in the state of North Carolina. Our specialty is custom projects which are specific and unique for each client. Our driving force is the genuine desire to help people realize their goals and dreams and to leaving the world a better place for our children.

SOUTHERN CRAFTSMEN 704-466-3531 www.southerncraftsmen.org

We offer Turn-key project management including lot selection, home design and build, and exceptional customer service beyond the sale. 1-on-1 customer interaction throughout the building process, along with access to interior design professionals to assist in material, color, and placement decisions of all interior details.

SMART CONSTRUCTION, INC. 704-913-0070 msmart1@carolina.rr.com

www.BuildingClevelandCounty.com

July/A ugust 2010 Foothills Spotlight 85

reflections

{from the well}

WORDS REV. CRYSTAL CHAMPION

As You Pray There are as many understandings of “prayer” as there are hairs on your head. The one thing I believe is that my prayers have done more to change my heart than change any dilemma I have faced or provide any answer to a question I have had.

My siblings and I were witness to prayers being put to action by our parents and other significant people in our lives. There are many components of prayer. Action is only one of those. Prayer evolves from relationships, and there is not a list of rules to follow on proper praying.

And as you pray…

As you pray for the homeless man, volunteer one hour a month at a soup kitchen.

As you pray for the orphans, consider being a foster parent or send one dollar a month to those who care for them.

As you pray for inner peace, find someone who has it and learn from his or her example.

As you pray for things to change, accept that they may not.

As you pray for a drug abuser, think about what Jesus really would do for her. (Remember the foot washings from the biblical stories.)

As you pray for each other, make a phone call or send a card.

As you pray for suffering people around the world, knock on the door of the person living next to you and say hello.

As you pray for a child, remember that you are one.

As you pray, before you pray, or after you pray…

Peace for your journey.

As you pray for the safety of your children, visit the parent who just lost a child in a car accident.

As you pray for wisdom in knowing what color of car to buy, look up the word wisdom.

As you pray for a better job, do a better job with the one you have.

As you and your partner pray for having a baby, work on the common sense it takes to raise one.

As you pray for material things, give away what you don’t need and some of what you want.

As you pray for a mate to come your way, be happy with the person you’ll spend the rest of your life with – you.

As you pray for a soul to be saved from damnation, understand that many are already living in that condition.

As you pray for guidance and direction, use the networking and discernment skills you have been given to better your life.

86 F o o t hil l s S p o t l i g h t J u l y / A u g u s t 2010

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Settle Heating and Air 2221 S. Post Road

Shelby, NC 28152

(704) 481-1788 Visit www.settleinwithcomfort.com to learn more about the services we offer and to learn more about Settle Community Scholarships.