Foothills Spotlight January/February 2011

H E L P I N G YO U E X P E R I E N C E , E X P LO R E , L E A R N & L I V E I N T H E FO OT H I L L S

{ No.

18 }

January/February 2011

In this issue

Tourism

d e t s Ta never

~ so good ~ Details Inside...

Plus:

Home to a President A Helluva Guy and his Helluva Hunt Long Live the Family Hardware Store

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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25% Off Facial Surgery Good Through February 28, 2011

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LAKE WYLIE

1200 Village Harbor Drive Lake Wylie, SC 29710 Phone (704) 866-4005 Fax (704) 866-0450

For more information, visit www.seplasticsurgery.com

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

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ceo Jeff Champion publisher Ebbie Champion

CONTENTS/

Jan/Feb 2011

editor Mark Alan Hudson creative director JD Ledford graphics Mike Bencivengo Wendy Cobb Nikki Cook Dee Counter-Griffis JD Ledford Peter Von Pfahl April Hoyle Shauf writers Bill Cameron Rev. Crystal Champion Laura Edington Judy Gaultney Bryon Gragg Mark Alan Hudson Kimberly P. Johnson Bob Mori Wade Nichols Katherine Panther-Potemkin Paula Vess Skip Warrick Trey Warrick Lynn Zook sports director Sam Davis photographers Ebbie Champion Brett Clapper Mark Alan Hudson Robin King Roger Padgett The Victorian Rose Studio

48 features

sports

20/ Tourism Never Tasted So Good

35/ A Helluva Guy and his Helluva Hunt

Meet Larry Cagle Jr. and learn how he turned 50 acres of land in Vale into Woodmill Winery.

27/ Long Live the Family Hardware Store(s)!

Kings Mountain hardware men say service is the secret.

sales staff Sam Davis Katherine Panther-Potemkin

32/ Home to a President?

production manager Dawn Brooks

42/ Moon Town Art Studio/ Creating Uniqueness

website design Matt Miller A publication of CHAMPION COMMUNICATIONS PO Box 1726 Shelby, NC 28151 704.466.3847 info@foothillsspotlight.com foothillsspotlight.com Foothills Spotlight Magazine is published bi-monthly by Champion Communications. Story ideas may be sent via email to editor@ccagency.net . For advertising, please call 704-466-3847. Subscriptions are $20 for a calendar year. The contents of Foothills Spotlight Magazine are protected by copyright and unauthorized use of any logos, icons, graphics or text copy in any form is prohibited.

www. foothills spot ligh t .com

hat makes Robin King and his hunt so W special?

39/ Flashback

A look back at Cecil Clark and his athletic exploits.

40/ Fab 5

Learn about five exceptional athletes from the foothills.

Is Bostic the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln?

IN EvEry ISSuE 8/ Letter from the Editor 10/ Life Coaching 12/ Amazing Mind 14/ Kid Speak 16/ In the Yard 18/ Financial Perspectives 54/ Calendar 56/ Viewpoint 58/ Reflections BONuS INSErT

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Artistic expression is owner Jennifer Cox’s personal and business passion.

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www.KeeterFord.com

Facebook and Wipro announce new facilities to be constructed in the foothills.

48/ Where the Sky’s Not the Limit

Why Shelby can count itself in the big leagues of airport amentities.

52/ Economic Impact – Follow the Money!

The last in a series about “buy local” campaigns.

35

ON THE COVER Gorgeous and

tasty vines of the WoodMill Winery -

photo courtesy of Victorian Rose

Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 7

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR/ january/february 2011

A New Year Has Begun It has happened again. One year has ended and another one has begun.

How is it that our trip around the sun on this small orb we call Earth seems to get faster and faster as the years go by?

What is it that makes us reflect on our past and make resolutions for our future?

While my answers are not scientific, they may make sense on some level. As we age, time passes, relatively speaking, faster. Waiting for your next Christmas morning at age six (one year is one sixth of your life) is certainly different than at age forty (one fortieth).

Perhaps this “speeding up” of our lives makes us more reflective about who we are, why we are here and what we are doing along our journey. Maybe that’s why we make lofty resolutions that we often can’t keep. This year, why not take a different approach?

Instead of trying to lose 10 pounds, pledge to volunteer an hour a month to one of the many charitable organizations and programs in our area. Or perhaps invest in our communities by attending some of the incredibly diverse cultural events ranging from music to theater or from the arts to sports. Maybe you could even pledge to do something not typical of your normal routine.

The point is, a new year is just a collection of new days and each of those days offers new opportunities for enjoying life. Pledge to live your life to the fullest.

Enjoy the gifts of family, friends and community that are within your reach. Do the things that bring true joy and meaning and worry less about things that are at best, fleeting.

And start it all by enjoying this issue of Foothills Spotlight.

Over the past year, many of you have approached us and shared what you have liked about the magazine or offered suggestions for helping us to make it better. Thank you … and please continue as we love hearing from you.

In our first issue for 2011, we again have some great advice and thought provoking commentary from our columnists. We also have stories on new developments in our communities that bring hope of better days to come in our economy. In one story, you’ll learn of a man’s long time dream coming true despite a mountain of adversity he has had to face. You’ll read of historical legend and lore that keeps alive the possibility that one of our greatest American heroes was once part of one of our Foothills communities. And this is just a start.

So, find a relaxing chair, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy learning about some of your neighbors who help enrich our communities.

Pura vida,

Mark Alan Hudson EDITOR

Bill Shuford

Heating & Air Conditioning Serving Cleveland County Since 1983 Call us and learn about the excellent customer service, industry expertise and home comfort solutions that Bill Shuford Heating and Air Conditioning customers have relied on since 1983. Please feel free to call us with any questions you may have.

Ask for Keith Nanney, a Trane Comfort Specialist with 10 years with our company.

213 Campbell Street Shelby, NC ® It’s Hard to Stop a Trane

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Straight Talk from Proven Professionals

Salon & Spa

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It’s a new day and a new year.

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LIFE COACHING/ be well, healthy & happy

Friendships: Build a team and they’ll see you through words/ KAtHErINE PANtHEr-POtEmKIN

R

ecently I had the opportunity to reconnect with two childhood friends. I hadn’t seen them for almost 30 years; yet when we reconnected it was as if we hadn’t skipped a beat.

These were true friends who knew and accepted one another completely. We supported each other through our adolescent years of turmoil, celebration, accomplishments, let-downs, confusion and clarity.

These were and still are deep friendships. I’m fortunate they have lasted in spite of a lack of maintenance.

It seems that building and maintaining friendships has taken a backseat. Lifestyles are busy and as a result few people actually seek out friends. Instead, they tend to have surface interactions with people through work or everyday activities. Although possibly fun and stimulating, such interactions often lack depth and true sharing and don’t provide the support and nourishment resulting from two people sharing the

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truth about themselves, their feelings and their lives.

Research indicates a link between strong friendships and one’s prospects for good physical and psychological health and longevity. Sadly, the June 2006 issue of American Sociological Review reported a decline in quality and quantity of close friendships in the United States. It was noted that 25 percent of the population has no close confidants and the average number of close friends per person has dropped from four to two since 1985. I think the trend continues.

Truly deep friendships are rare, valuable and not easily or quickly cultivated. George Washington said, “True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.” You have to take the responsibility for building and maintaining deep friendships, putting in both effort and time in spite of crammed schedules, and in the process, you might risk

rejection. Maybe that responsibility and possible risk is another reason why friendships have dwindled.

Perhaps if one viewed building friendships as a process involving decision making, it would seem more manageable. When you first meet a potential friend, there’s usually a period of infatuation. This infatuation ends and then the flaws appear. At this point you can choose whether to put in time and effort to build the friendship or not. Be realistic. No one is perfect, and sometimes budding friends hurt each other. Honesty from the beginning can help you work through the hurts and build the trust necessary for a lasting friendship. Avoid rushing and just cultivate the friendship slowly with sensitivity. Be genuinely interested in the other person. Being interested is more important than being interesting!

Once the friendship is on its way you must care for and tend it if you want it to deepen and survive.

Friendship requires regular time together. Brief or occasional time together does not allow for the gradual opening and movement into deeper levels of conversation and feeling, so sometimes you’ll have to put your “shoulds” on the back burner. Housework, laundry and yard work will all still be there tomorrow.

Take time to make sure that your friendship will be, too. Maintain regular contact to let your friend know that he or she is in your thoughts and your heart. In busy times, even a quick “Hello, how are you” phone call will strengthen the connection. It’s often the little day-to-day stuff that let’s a friend know you care.

Practice positive reciprocity. True friendship is based on give and take. Sometimes one person will be weak and the other strong, and vice versa. If give and take is mutual, then you’ll be helping and supporting one another. If one party is always the giver or taker there will be a limit to how deep the friendship can become.

Be empathetic but if you feel things are too often one-sided, share your feelings and openly listen to your friend’s feelings. Then focus on the positive things each contributes and keep building from where you are.

If you want to build and maintain deep friendships, you must make it priority. Doing so takes dedication and time, and it has its highs and lows. The benefits will be worth it though. As a John Lennon lyric goes, “I get by with a little help from my friends.”

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

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Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 11

THE AMAZING MIND/ dream maker

“

Passion is a powerful, all consuming emotion or feeling.

words/ LYNN ZOOK

R

emember when you fell in love with the girl or boy, woman or man of your dreams? You wanted to be with that person every minute you could. When you were with him or her, time went by so fast you barely knew where the day had gone.

And when you weren’t with that special someone, you thought about him or her all the time and about the next time you could be together. That is passion.

Passion is a powerful, all consuming emotion or feeling.

Do you have the same powerful emotion or feeling in your life now? Do you have that type of passion for your job, career, your family, and for the things you do?

Do you stay up late because you are having so much fun and then can’t wait to wake up the next morning?

Do you have that kind of passion in your life? If not, can you get it back once you have lost it?

When I was a kid, I loved to play baseball and I would play all day and was disappointed when the evening took the light away so I couldn’t play any longer. I could hardly wait until the next day for the sun to come

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up so I could do it all over again. I loved it so much, I played whenever I could. As I grew up, I was lucky to play college baseball and then, after that, softball for 30 years. Even as an adult, playing ball consumed my thoughts and it was what I looked forward to in life.

When I played ball, I was in my element and extremely happy and satisfied. I was living my dream (the best I could with my ability) of being a professional baseball player.

What do I do now that my playing days are over?

Can I get that passion back for other things in my life?

I acquired the passion for playing ball when I was a kid.

I wasn’t smart enough to realize I wouldn’t be able to play my whole life. So what do I do now?

I had the pleasure of meeting a man who you could tell was living his dream. A good ole boy who can fix food that tastes incredible. His recipes and dishes are to die for. As I got to know him, I could see that he was extremely happy making great dishes and hearing the raves of excitement from those that tasted them.

“

The Power of Passion

It seemed creating culinary delicacies was his passion, but as I got to know him better, I realized it was more than that.

He was having fun with his friends and making them happy. The food gets them together and puts everyone in a good mood as they talk and laugh and forget about life’s problems for a while. His self-proclaimed mantra is that he never wants to grow up; he wants to be a kid his whole life and have fun every day until he dies. He sings and dances and always has a smile on his face, like we did when we were kids. He is fun to be around and his passion for life is contagious.

Is his refusal to grow up and act like an adult the reason he has this passion for life? Is it because he understands that when you think like a kid it is easier to be passionate? As adults, do we give up on our dreams and forget about our passions in life and focus instead on our problems and responsibilities?

One of my friend’s favorite lines is: “Cooking is like love, it should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” I would like to take it one step further and say “Life is like love, it should be entered into with abandon or not at all!”

Passion is a strong, powerful, compelling emotion.

Emotions like passion are formed in our minds. Isn’t having unbridled passion in life a dream we would all like to achieve? If you want passion in your life, you can have it. Let’s start acting and thinking more like we did when we were children and less like we do as adults.

It is your amazing mind and you are in control.

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

www.foothills s p otlig ht.c om

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Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 13

KID SPEAK/ happy journeys

Click “S” for Safety words/ KIMBERLY P. JOHNSON

N

one of us ever want our children exposed to the dark images that can lurk in cyberspace.

Nevertheless, technology is certainly shaping and developing our future leaders. According to the Nielson Marketing charts, as of February of last year, 80 percent of households have computers in the home. As expected, that number continues to rise. (www.marketingcharts.com/interactive/home-internet-

access-in-us-still-room-for-growth-8280/nielson-internetaccess-household-income-february-2009.jpg/)

Children tend to use the Internet and computers in a completely different way than adults. I use the computer to gather facts, get recipes or just check e-mails. Children seem to use the computer more to listen to music, play games or “hang-out.”

Parents are being faced with many questions and challenges as to how much Internet connection is TOO much connection. Though we welcome the idea that our children are smart enough to figure out this technological world, I think we are sometimes afraid

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Foot hi l l s Spot l i ght J an / F e b 2 011

they are more advanced than we want them to be. This advancement can present various challenges. One of these challenges is: What is an appropriate selection and modeling of sites that represent positive images for children? With many decisions about Facebook or My Space and all of the other social networking sites that seem to be popping up, it can be a bit scary as to what is safe for children to experience.

We have to be very selective as to how much information we want our children to be exposed to.

The exciting thing is that technology is going to help propel our youth into a wonderful world of advanced learning and capabilities. The sad news is that it will make them grow up REALLY fast! So, as parents, we have to scrutinize what is out there and how to manage the information that can slip onto computer screens. There are several ways to help monitor what goes on with computer time in your household.

One way to help monitor what your children are doing is to make sure that the computer is in a central

location. Sometimes children are tempted to check out forbidden sites if Mom or Dad “aren’t looking.”

Common areas can make the temptation a little less inviting. Make use of extra space in a family room by setting up a computer desk or table. Not only will this be convenient for the children to use but it may also prove convenient when you need to look up something quickly.

Limited computer time can also keep children from getting too consumed with what goes on in computer land. Balance computer time with reading or family time. This approach helps create a well rounded use of resources. Encourage children to look up words and definitions by using a regular dictionary or thesaurus.

Though it may be quicker to type in a few letters and get a definition, it is still important to know how to look up a word the “old-fashioned” way.

Share computer time with your children. Modeling is always an effective method. When children are used to going to sites with you, they tend to go to those sites when they are NOT with you. Set a good example by talking about the value of computer time but also remind them that they shouldn’t get consumed with it or they cannot get other tasks completed. Show children sites of interest to them. For example, if you know your children love animals, find some of the toprated information sites and encourage your children to explore them. Above all, do your homework, know exactly what is on a site before you send your children off to explore on their own. As sites change often, make sure you stay apprised of what is on sites. Check periodically for changes or additions.

Parents can use safety toolbars to protect the family from inappropriate content. A lot of Internet companies now offer safety precautions that can be added to computers to keep youth off of certain sites without permission. Check into the various options available for your Internet company. Above all, enjoy the technology that is available at your fingertips; just realize that too much of anything is NOT a good thing.

Cyber Safety is Key!!!

Happy “Cyber” Journeys.

Children’s Book Author, Kimberly P. Johnson has written 12 children books and has been an invited guest to the White House to read her works. She is also the Community Impact Director for United Way of York County, SC. To view more of Kimberly’s work visit her website at SimplyCreativeWorks.com.

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Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 15

IN THE YARD/ happy gardening

Spring flowering trees and shrubs such as dogwoods, cherries and azaleas should not be pruned until after flowering as flower buds were set the previous year; if pruned, the buds would be removed. If pruning maples, elms or birches in mid- to late February, they may “bleed” due to the warming temperatures but does not cause damage to the tree.

Pruning prior to bud break will allow for a heavy flush of new growth, which makes it an excellent time for “rejuvenating” overgrown foundation shrubs. Rejuvenation can be done all at one time or over a period of a few years. Plants responding well to rejuvenation include forsythia, privet, hollies and spirea. To rejuvenate shrubs in one season, cut them back to 12-18 inches above the ground: to do this over several seasons, thin out old stems yearly until the plant is completely new growth.

Deciduous and fruit trees can be sprayed with dormant oils to control certain pests that overwinter on the bark. Dormant oils are effective on mites, scale and some insect eggs. Oils control pests by suffocating or destroying internal cells and are most effective when the temperature is above freezing.

Oils are made from highly refined petroleum products and are generally safe to beneficial insects, pets and humans. If applied after bud break, some damage can occur to new growth.

The Winter Garden words/ TREY & SKIP WARRICK

H

appy New Year! Everyone looks forward to January 1 because to many it means a fresh start. This is also a great time for a “fresh start” in your lawn and garden. January and February are excellent months for planting, pruning and rejuvenating overgrown beds.

IN THE GARDEN As the New Year begins, bulbs and daffodils begin to emerge, giving life to an otherwise quiet garden.

During the winter months you need to be making garden preparations for the rest of the year. If the ground is not frozen or snow covered, it’s a great time for planting new additions. It’s also time to divide plants such as daylilies, liriope and perennial grasses; make sure not to cut the tips of any new growth.

Applying a slow release fertilizer now can help to boost spring bloomers and improve the spring flush.

Slow release fertilizer is the most effective due to the changing weather. Plants will not benefit from water

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Footh i l l s Spot l i ght J an / F e b 2 011

soluble fertilizer as it will be washed away or leached into the soil before the plants can uptake the nutrients.

During January and February we typically see our most extreme cold weather. It is a good idea to add an extra layer of protection to perennial beds so remulch or spread pine needles. To prevent damage, winterize irrigation systems, protect hosepipes and spigots.

If you use ice melt on walks and driveways, keep in mind these products can be harmful to plants and turf if the melted snow and ice drain into the turf or beds.

If run-off is unavoidable, run fresh water around the base of the affected plants to dilute the salts.

TURF CARE During the winter months, the biggest concern in the lawn is keeping the leaf layer cleaned up, sometimes a daunting task. Leaves can smother the grass if left too long so in mid- to late February, or when daffodils begin to bloom, we recommend applying a preemergent fertilizer for an early start to weed control.

Use the winter months to tidy up the garden, taking care of any major pruning while plants are dormant. We hope you will get that “fresh start” and be prepared for the spring.

The father/son team of Skip & 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.

TREE CARE The winter months provide many opportunities for tree care. Perform major pruning during dormancy and inspect deciduous trees for defects: if you find breakage or something that concerns you, contact an arborist for further inspection.

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FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVES/ beyond traditional

Eleven Strategies for Fiscal Fitness in 2011 words/ BRYON GRAGG

A

s we enter the New Year, many of us will reflect upon last year and look to the new one with resolutions for positive change, many revolving around physical fitness. Below are 11 things you can do to get “fiscally” fit throughout 2011.

1. Review your will and update if necessary.

For major life changes such as marriages, divorces, births of children, it is very important that you keep your will updated. Many wills are drafted so the passing of a spouse is addressed but it is always a good idea to review it should a death occur. Pledge taking 30 minutes to review it to ensure it addresses everything that you want it to.

2. Review your power of attorney. Much like a will, personal situations can change that might require you to change your power of attorney. Make sure your documents reflect your wishes.

3. Develop or maintain your safety net. This

18 /

Footh i l l s Spot l i ght J an / F e b 2 011

is usually described as nine to 24 months of living expenses in cash but the actual number depends upon your situation in life and your risk tolerance. If retired and living off your investments, it makes sense to have a greater number of months saved. Should there be a market downturn, you won’t have to sell your investments at their low point just to pay the utility bill. If you currently work, there is great security in knowing that if you lose your job you can cover your living expenses while searching for a new one.

4. Review the beneficiaries on your retirement plan, IRA and life insurance. Many times, we find that an ex-spouse or the estate is listed as the beneficiary on an account. Proper structuring of the beneficiary designation on an IRA allows beneficiaries to stretch distributions over time, a technique not allowed if left to the estate. Making sure an ex-spouse or deceased relative isn’t the beneficiary

goes without saying. Make sure the money goes where you want it to go.

5. Review your homeowners and auto insurance. Review your policies verifing adequate and appropriate coverage. If you’ve paid off your mortgage or a financed vehicle, make sure the insurance company removes the former lien holder as a payee. Keep your property appropriately covered given changing personal situations and market conditions.

6. Review your retirement investments.

If saving for retirement, make sure you are saving enough and on track to retire comfortably. If already retired, make sure your portfolio is structured to sustain your current lifestyle.

7. Review your non-retirement investments.

Fees and taxes create a friction on returns that can reduce your earnings. Review the cost and tax efficiency of your portfolio. Every dollar paid in unnecessary fees and taxes is a dollar less of potential return.

8. Create an assurance file. Simply stated, this is a central file containing all your important documents such as wills, power of attorney, trust agreements, deeds and titles, life insurance policies and brokerage statements. One method is to scan your information and save it on a CD or a digital device for safekeeping.

9. Create an emergency card. Take 10 minutes and make yourself a small card containing emergency contact information, including physicians’ names, phone numbers and any medications or allergies you have. If you are in an accident, this “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) information can easily save up to 45 minutes in getting proper medical help and contacting others. While ICE information on a cell phone serves a similar purpose, be advised that should the phone be lost or have no power, it is useless.

10. Start tax planning early. Tax planning should be done throughout the year, not only just prior to filing the return. The longer you wait, the less opportunity you have to implement tax saving strategies.

11. Relax. If you’ve accomplished all the above strategies, you are well on your way to becoming fiscally fit. So sit back and relax with the knowledge you’ve made some real progress.

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

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MYTHS: REALITIES: SOLUTION ~ In Financial Planning ~ MYTH: A national brokerage firm is safer and more qualified to handle my investments.

REALITY: Multimillion dollar marketing campaigns do not necessarily translate into qualified advisors handling your money. In fact, brokers may not have the requisite investment and financial background or personal knowledge of your particular situation to understand how your tax, estate, business or family dynamics correlate with your investment values.

Brokers are often trained in sales making them commission driven when handling your portfolio. They are not independent from the brokerage firm that employs them and may be pressured into selling proprietary products issued or inventoried by that firm. They often must meet sales quotas in order to maintain their position with their employer.

SOLUTION: Rather than emphasizing sales and marketing, we have built our career and our Registered Investment Advisory firm upon our extensive education and experience in the areas of tax, finance, business, retirement, estate planning, and risk assessment.

As CPAs, we possess the expertise required to analyze the financial markets to make prudent investment decisions.Asyour trusted advisor, we can give you independent advice custom tailored to your situation and in your best interests. We are more than investment advisors; we understand your entire financial situation and make sure you are making smart decisions with your money.

For more information regarding investing contact Bryon or Jay today.

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d e t s a T

Tourism never

~ so good ~ words/ paula veSS

2/

Foot h il l s Spot l i ght J an / F e b 2 010

www.foothills s p otlig ht.c om

WoodMill Winery works hard to make all its visitors feel welcome.

Its spacious porch and tasting room invite you to relax, enjoy the beautiful view, and try some of their 22 wine varieties. If you’re lucky, owner Larry Cagle Jr. will share the story of how a grape, an antioxidant called resveratrol, and a desire to help his dad led to building a winery. www.footh i l l s s pot l i ght .com

Ja n/Feb 20 1 0 / Foothills Sp otlig ht / 3

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Footh i l l s Spot l i ght J an / F e b 2 01 1

the way, Larry discovered that “everything you do for grapes used in European style wines, you do the opposite for muscadines.”

It was truly a learning experience. “We developed our own wine-making process. It took four years and about 120 experiments.” But the result was a wine that even most Southerners find tasty. “I love it when someone comes in and tells me they don’t really like wine,” says Larry. “Southerners grow up drinking sweet tea and sodas. That’s very different from European style wine. Only about 5 percent of people in the Southeast appreciate European style wine.”

WoodMill Winery offers our region much more than muscadine wine. “The wineries are one of our top tourism attractions,” says Jackie Sibley, director of tourism for Cleveland County. “Having three wineries close together is definitely a plus. We can offer visitors enough activities to fill up an entire day.”

Believing that “anything to do with agriculture is good for the whole community,” Larry teamed up with Owl’s Eye Winery and Buffalo Creek Winery to apply for a designation as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). An AVA is a designated wine grape growing region in the United States that is distinguishable by geographic features.

If the designation is granted by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, this region’s AVA will be called Between the Rivers, based on the boundaries

“

This is an awesome location, but I didn’t pick it. It’s like it was picked for me.

“

“I

never meant to be in this business,” Larry says. When he purchased more than 50 acres of land in Vale, he simply wanted a quiet spot to live, and maybe have a pond where he could fish.

When Larry read about the health benefits found in a North Carolina native fruit, the muscadine, he did some research and learned about resveratrol, which exists in high levels in muscadines. He then found that studies have shown resveratrol offers positive health benefits.

There’s a history of heart disease in Larry’s family.

“I planted a few vines just for the fruit, because it’s good for us.” Then, he started experimenting with wine making. “I wanted dad to drink wine for his heart health, but he didn’t like the traditional European wines.”

One thing led to another and WoodMill Winery was born. It turns out that Larry’s land is a pretty good spot for creating a vineyard. It’s above the frost line so there’s little threat of frost to the vines; the clay soil adds to the muscadines’ flavor; and the area is easily accessible to several major cities. “This is an awesome location, but I didn’t pick it. It’s like it was picked for me.”

Things fell into place with a lot of work and help from friends and family. His dad still works in the vineyard regularly. But it hasn’t been easy. Along

www.foothills s p otlig ht.c om

of the Catawba and Broad Rivers. It would be the fourth AVA in North Carolina.

“We hope to pick up 15 – 20 more wineries in the area. We have a very unique region,” Larry explains.

“The rolling hills, clay soil, and temperatures of this area are very different from other parts of our state.”

In addition to being a great outing with friends or out-of-town guests, WoodMill Winery hosts weddings, meetings, class reunions and more. “This is agritourism at its best. Weddings bring guests from out of town who try our wine and take a bottle home,” says Larry. “They share it with friends back home, and those friends come looking for us.”

Larry believes there is plenty of room for more wineries in our area. “The future is bright. There’s enough business for all of us. It’s a matter of getting our game plan together and going after it.”

WoodMill Winery is open to the public year round.

Hours: Tuesday – Friday, Noon – 6 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday, 1 – 6 p.m.

No reservations are needed, but for groups of 12 or more, please call ahead.

On Feb.12, the winery hosts its annual Valentine’s dinner featuring a fourcourse meal and one wine with each course. Seating is limited so call ahead for reservations.

Find out more about WoodMill Winery by visiting www.woodmillwinery.com or calling 704-276-9911.

Valenti

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109 E. Graham Street • Shelby, NC • 704-487-1220 • www.hollysflo www.hollysflowers.com

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Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 23

familiar.”

Bayada Nurses because of their flexibility. and dad are thrilled with them and makes life so much easier for me.”

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Mom breakfast for her.

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Bayada’s ‘Rise and Shine’ and ‘Evening Care’ programs work out great for me,” said Singleton. “I still go over during the day, but knowing there is help in the morning andwhile the evening such a parents,” relief.” said Joe Seidel, director of Bayada Nurses’ Shelby office. “Our comprehensive personal obligations trying tohas carebeen for elderly

Thanks to who Bayada Dora their and Clayton Indeed, Singleton’s experience is typical of the sandwich generation. “These are sons and daughters areNurses, juggling own Singleton, family “Wehomes.” have a home health aide who comes over every morning for an hour and a half,” remain in the ofown their own care services According are designed toallhelp elderly people likeare Diane’s parents 92, are able to remain inhands-on thecomfort comfort of their According toSeidel, Seidel, allofofBayada Bayada Nurses’ Nurses’ employees employees areof fully fully bonded bonded and and insured, insured, receive receive hands-on training training prior prior totobeing beingallowed allowedininhome home obligations while trying to care to for elderly parents,” said Joe Seidel, director Bayada Nurses’ Shelby office.

“Our comprehensive personal explained Singleton.

“She mom out of bed, bathed and dressed, and makes home. They hands-on are pictured here training with their Bayada Seidel, all of Bayada Nurses’ employees are fully bonded and insured, receive prior to being allowed ingetshome reliable reliablehome homecare.” care.” settings, settings, and and are aretrue true totoBayada’s Bayada’s philosophy philosophy ofofproviding providing compassionate, excellent, excellent, and and Then, we have another aide who gets mom ready for bed. Mom breakfast for her. remain incompassionate, the comfort ofNurses their own homes.” care services are designed to help elderly people like Diane’s parents home health aide Linda Gail Hamrick

According to are thrilled with them it makes so much easier for me.” reliable care.” settings, and are trueBayada’s to Bayada’s excellent, and for ‘Risephilosophy and Shine’ of andproviding ‘Evening compassionate, Care’ programs work out great me,”home said Singleton.

“I stillandgodadover during the and day, butlifeknowing

Bayada BayadaNurses Nursescaregivers caregiversare areavailable availableduring duringvarious varioustimes timesthroughout throughoutthe theday dayand andevening eveninghours. hours.

Bayada’s ‘Riseisand Shine’ and ‘Evening Care’ programs work out has greatbeen for me,” said aSingleton.

“I still go over during the day, but knowing there help in the morning and the evening such relief.”

Indeed, Singleton’s experience is typical of the sandwich generation. “These are sons and daughters who are juggling their own family there is help in the morning and the evening has been such a relief.” obligations while trying to care for elderly parents,” said Joe Seidel, director of Bayada Nurses’ Shelby office. “Our comprehensive personal

Bayada Nurses caregivers are available during various times throughout the day and evening hours.

care services are designed to help elderly people like Diane’s parents remain in the comfort of their own homes.”

According of Bayada Nurses’ are fully bonded and insured, hands-on training prior to being allowed in home According to Seidel,toallSeidel, of BayadaallNurses’ employees are fullyemployees bonded and insured, receive hands-on training prior receive to being allowed in home Bayada’s ‘Rise excellent, and Shine’ and ‘Evening Care’ programs workcare.” out great for me,” said Singleton. “I still go over during the day, but knowing home settings, true philosophy to Bayada’s philosophy of providing compassionate, and reliable home care.” settings, and are and true toare Bayada’s of providing compassionate, excellent, and reliable there is help in the morning and the evening has been such a relief.”

Bayada Nurses caregivers are available during various times throughout the day and evening hours. to Seidel, all of Bayada Nurses’ employees are fully bonded and insured, receive hands-on training prior to being allowed in home According

Bayada Nurses caregivers are available during various times throughout the day and evening hours.

settings, and are true to Bayada’s philosophy of providing compassionate, excellent, and reliable home care.”

Bayada Nurses caregivers are available during various times throughout the day and evening hours.

Bayada Nurses: Compassionate, Excellent, and Reliable Home Care

Bayada Nurses: Care in the Comfort of Home Diane Singleton feels so blessed to still have her parents in her life, however, she admits, making sure they have the care they need can be quite a challenge.

“Mom and dad are both 92,” said Singleton. “Even with mom’s Alzheimer’s disease and dad’s poor vision, they insist that they do not want to go into a nursing home.

They want to stay in their home, where they are comfortable and everything is familiar.”

Honoring her parents’ desire to remain at home became Singleton’s top priority, but she couldn’t care for them alone. She researched home care companies and chose Bayada Nurses because of their flexibility.

Thanks to Bayada Nurses, Dora and Clayton Singleton, 92, are able to remain in the comfort of their own home. They are pictured here with their Bayada Nurses home health aide Linda Gail Hamrick

“We have a home health aide who comes over every morning for an hour and a half,” explained Singleton. “She gets mom out of bed, bathed and dressed, and makes breakfast for her. Then, we have another aide who gets mom ready for bed. Mom and dad are thrilled with them and it makes life so much easier for me.”

Indeed, Singleton’s experience is typical of the sandwich generation. “These are sons and daughters who are juggling their own family obligations while trying to care for elderly parents,” said Joe Seidel, director of Bayada Nurses’ Shelby office. “Our comprehensive personal care services are designed to help elderly people like Diane’s parents remain in the comfort of their own homes.”

Bayada’s ‘Rise and Shine’ and ‘Evening Care’ programs work out great for me,” said Singleton. “I still go over during the day, but knowing there is help in the morning and the evening has been such a relief.”

According to Seidel, all of Bayada Nurses’ employees are fully bonded and insured, receive hands-on training prior to being allowed in home settings, and are true to Bayada’s philosophy of providing compassionate, excellent, and reliable home care.”

Bayada Nurses caregivers are available during various times throughout the day and evening hours.

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Kings Mountain hardware men say service is the secret. words/ JUDY GAULTNEY

www.footh i l l s s pot l i ght .com

Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 27

In 1872,

two years before the state officially chartered the town of Kings Mountain, brothers W.A. and J.S. Mauney opened a general store. In 1878 the brothers built the town’s first two-story brick structure for their business in the heart of downtown on what is now Battleground Avenue.

That store changed hands several times, and during the 1930s, under the name of Bridges & Hamrick (Glee A. Bridges and David Hamrick), it evolved into a hardware store. Glee’s sons J.C. and Glee E. took over in 1951 and moved the concern to its current location at the corner of Cansler and King Streets in 1974. Tim Miller and his father-in-law Wayne Beachum bought the business from the Bridges brothers in 1987 and operate it now as Bridges Hardware & Home Center.

Now look back to 1906. That’s when D.M. Baker opened a hardware store just down the block from the Mauney brothers. Campbell Phifer bought the store in 1921 and it was operated by the Phifer family at that location until the early 1970s when they moved it to 110 South Railroad Avenue. After three generations of Phifer family ownership, Howard Elmore purchased the business from Menzell Phifer, Menzell’s son, Don, and Menzell’s daughter, Jean Bumgardner, in 1993.

Howard incorporated under the name Phifer Hardware & Garden Center then changed the name to Hometown Hardware & Garden Center in 1996.

The two hardware stores still operate almost within a stone’s throw of each other. The owners acknowledge

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Footh i l l s Spot l i ght J an / F e b 2 011

their stores can’t compete price-wise with the big box stores, but they know service and convenience keep them viable in a small town with just over 11,000 residents.

“Our customers by and large come to us because something is broken, something doesn’t work, the paint on the house is peeling,” Tim says. “It scratches an itch for me when somebody comes in and they’re got a problem and I can help them. The thing that works hand-in-hand with convenience is our knowledgeable staff. Cumulatively, we have over 200 years of hardware experience.”

“We’re just a hometown store with a hometown feel,” Howard says. “We’ve found our niche and we’re just trying to cultivate it. Banks are advertising now that ‘you’re a name, not a number.’ Hardware stores have been living that forever.”

Tim describes Bridges as “too big to be small and too small to be big,” a description also appropriate for Hometown. Bridges has 16,000 square feet of merchandise space; Hometown has 11,250 square feet.

Both businesses have signature products: Bridges has a broad selection of paint, and Hometown is big on lawn and garden items. Howard says he plans to add hardscape products, like fountains and paving stones, this year.

Tim says Bridges carries more than 30,000 different items, including 300 different kinds of light bulbs and 418 different kinds of drill bits. Both

Top Left: Bridges Hardware, shown here, has a long history of success in Kings Mountain. Top Right: If you need it, they probably have it ... including supplies for the kitchen sink. Above: Both Bridges and Hometown provide not only useful products for their customers but give back to the community through support of a variety of projects.

www.foothills s p otlig ht.c om

businesses benefit from their alliances with co-ops.

True Value® helps Bridges with the store’s Web site (www.bridgeshardware.com), where customers find a calendar of events, specials and drawings, and a 3-D house with project ideas. Howard says his affiliation with Do It Best® gives Hometown access to more than 80,000 items that can be acquired quickly through a distribution center in Lexington, S.C. Giving back to the community which supports their businesses seems second nature to both Tim and Howard. Tim, 52, his wife Shearra and their two daughters moved from Charlotte to Kings Mountain in 1990. “The community didn’t know us from Adam, but I feel like we were accepted as part of the community,” Tim says. “Shearra ran for school board not long after we moved. She was elected and they’ve continued to re-elect her. I think it says more about who Kings Mountain is than who we are. It’s a wonderful place to have a family and a business.” Shearra is also president of the Cleveland County Arts Council.

Howard, 57, is joined at work by his wife Carol and one of his sons, and they involve the business in community fundraisers, including Relay for Life and a recent banquet for the National Foundation for Transplants. Also, Howard serves on the board of The Mountaineer Partnership Inc., a local private sector

group promoting downtown and working with North Carolina Main Street, a state initiative to assist cities in downtown revitalization.

An 11-year cancer survivor, Howard states frequently, “Every day is a beautiful day; some are just more comfortable than others.” Speaking of comfort, maybe that’s another reason for the longevity of Kings Mountain’s hardware stores. You just feel comfortable being there whether you want help to paint a room or plant a garden.

Foothills Spotlight Magazine acknowledges with thanks the help of the Kings Mountain Historical Museum and several Kings Mountain residents in providing historical details for this article.

Top Left: Hometown Hardware is dedicated to treating their customers as a name and not just a number. Bottom Left: Entrance to Hometown Hardware which is just “a stone’s throw” from Bridges Hardware.

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HOME TO A PRESIDENT?

WORDS/ MARK ALAN HUDSON

BOSTIC

IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN?

PHOTOGRAPHY/ MARK ALAN HUDSON

B

y most historical accounts, Abraham Lincoln was born in rural Kentucky on Feb. 12, 1809. It is the date he himself wrote in the family bible. But is it possible this is the date he had been raised to believe was his birthday and that the modest rustic home in which he lived was the place of his birth?

Before you scoff that this is not a possibility, simply consider that some argue that our current president, who, coincidentally, is an ardent admirer of Lincoln, has a questionable birthplace. Is it possible that what has been local lore could be historical truth?

Keith Price, president of the Bostic Lincoln Center, invites you to visit the Center, located right in the center of town, and explore for yourself.

If Keith is there when you visit, you will quickly come to appreciate his interest and belief that our 16th president could very likely have been born on property owned by Abraham Enloe along Puzzle Creek, just a short distance away from the center of Bostic. As Keith shares the story, he doesn’t try to overwhelm you with facts. Nor does he brush aside the commentary and studies of others who hold that the traditional Lincoln story is the one and only story. “History is ever changing,” he says. “It is not static; the truth is still emerging.”

Keith cites the development of the Kings Mountain National Military Park as an example of how history evolves. The battle there was once regarded as a footnote battle to the Revolutionary War, but continued study of the event led to a fuller understanding of its significance in bringing about the end of that war. www.footh i l l s s pot l i ght .com

While not defensive, Keith is resolute in his belief that time will resolve the Lincoln birthplace question fully.

After all, there are facts that are difficult to dispute.

For example, there was a Nancy Hanks, an illegitimate child sent to live with the Abraham Enloe family near Bostic. Nancy later bore an illegitimate son, sometime around 1804, who she named Abraham. Nancy and Abraham are later reported to have moved to Kentucky with Tom Lincoln, who married her there.

The Lincoln story is not a recent phenomenon. It has been a community story from the time Nancy Hanks became a charge of the Enloe family. The story continued circulating during the Civil War. It was still going strong in the mid-1920s. So, why wasn’t it a national issue?

Keith has an opinion on that. “Well, to begin with, Abraham Lincoln would not have been a great source of pride to Southerners in those days,” he says. “Also, there is the issue of a child born out of wedlock. Then there was the Lincoln family itself and their beliefs, and finally, there are always political considerations.”

The story, as you might expect, takes a series of twists and turns. One of those twists is how the Bostic Lincoln Center came into existence.

Keith attributes the development of the center to Tom Melton, who had lived in Rutherford County his entire life and who would often speak on the Lincoln question to community and civic groups. Keith had been away for many years and upon moving back, Tom invited him to accompany him to some of his talks. “I soon realized that if Tom were to not be here, we’d lose this wonderful story forever.”

Keith and a small group of supporters took it upon themselves to take action and held a meeting to see if there would be any interest in working to preserve the story. A meeting at Town Hall gave them the answer: The place was packed. Very quickly, a nonprofit organization was formed and work began on collecting and preserving information. About two years ago, the town gave the organization the old train depot building. With grants, and monetary and in-kind gifts surpassing $100,000, the Bostic Lincoln Center opened just over two years ago. Though Tom Melton passed away before it opened, he saw what was to be.

Since that time, and despite limited hours, Keith notes that more than 1,800 visitors have stopped by, including academics, researchers and history lovers.

He says that many people come in as skeptics of the story. That doesn’t faze him in the least. “I don’t think we’ve ever failed to give people more information than they had before they came,” he says with obvious pride.

After all, it’s why the Center exists.

To hear and see for yourself, the Center is open Thursdays from 1 - 4 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Tours of the Center and the Puzzle Creek “birthplace” may be arranged in advance. Contact information: 828-245-9800, e-mail at info@bosticlincolncenter.com or the Web at www.bosticlincolncenter.com. Nearby are several eateries and the historic Washburn Store.

Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 33

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).S 81 ywH(

A HELLUVA GUY &

A HELLUVA

Hunt words/ BILL CAMERON

www.footh i l l s s pot l i ght .com

Ja n/Feb 20 1 0 / Foothills Sp otlig ht / 3

hope the title of this article has piqued your interest because this is one “helluva” story. The guy is Robin King from the Oak Grove community in Cleveland County, and the hunt was for pronghorn antelope in Douglas, Wyo. Robin’s life began with medical difficulties.

He was born 47 years ago with one body but two heads. He was supposed to be twins, but one didn’t fully develop. Twenty hours after birth, doctors removed this second head attached to his back. On top of this, Robin was born with the birth defect of spina bifida. This term actually means “split spine.” Wikipedia defines this condition as “a developmental birth defect caused by the incomplete closure of the embryonic neural (or spinal) tube.” This can be closed after birth, but the affected part of the spinal cord does not regain normal function.

Since birth, Robin has endured 57 operations with lifelong complications involving his ability to walk and use his right side. His mother was told that he would be lucky to live to be 7 years old, that he needed to be institutionalized and would always be in a wheel chair. But his mother’s love and devotion has helped him beat the long odds he encountered at birth. She “always emphasized what he could do rather than what he couldn’t.”

He lost his mother in 2006 at the age of 83. But he has kept her spirit. That leads to the “hunt“ part of the story. Robin has led an active life even though walking is a chore that gets harder with age. He has been a

I

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Foot hi l l s Spot l i ght J an / F e b 20 1 1

professional photographer, a volunteer fireman and even carried the torch during its passage across the country on its way to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games in 2002. He shot weddings and did some work for the Shelby Chamber of Commerce where he crossed paths with Jeff Champion, the president of Champion Communications, which prints this magazine. But Robin said “to please not hold his friendship with Jeff against him.” You have to love this guy and his sense of humor in the face of his everyday struggles.

Robin’s active spirit led him to apply to go on a hunting trip. An association called “Helluva Hunt,” based in Douglas, Wyo., chooses 15 disabled Americans every February to go on an antelope hunt the following October. After seeing some footage of the 25th anniversary hunt on Jim Zumbo’s show on the Outdoor Channel, Robin decided he would apply. He learned he was accepted this past April. The “Helluva Hunt” group (see www.Helluvahunt. com), with the help of sponsors like Savage Arms, pays all the participants’ costs except for the travel to and from Wyoming. With help from several local businessmen, Robin got enough money to fly to Casper, Wyo., and purchase a rifle and hunting clothes.

So, on Sept. 29, 2010, Robin began what he said was “a dream come true.” He flew into Casper and was transported to the State Fairgrounds in Douglas where the 14 hunters (one couldn’t attend) all lived in a dorm together. They ranged in age from 1273 years with 10 of them being in wheelchairs.

Robin was able to walk with the use of a cane.

The local community prepared their meals the whole time and the hunters also got to attend an auction fundraiser for the hunt.

On Oct. 1, Robin met his guides, John Stearns and his son John Jr. John’s brother Gary was one of the co-founders of this hunt group along with Jim Zumbo back in 1985.

The hunters were able to sight their rifles and shoot some skeet; this was the first time Robin had fired a shotgun.

The next day, Robin left with his guides for the ranch where they were to hunt. They saw a few buck antelopes but no one was able to get a good shot so they decided to take a lunch break. When they headed back out, they spotted a good buck within five minutes and this time, Robin was able to take a good shot.

Using a rifle that John let him use because he couldn’t line up his own rifle, Robin recorded a 200-yard kill. The guide laughed, “Would you look at the grin on this guy’s face.” Robin said that he had the “lucky two’s,” as his kill came at 2 p.m., on the second day of the hunt, with his second gun on his second trip out and at 200 yards.

The week I was writing this article Robin went through three more surgeries, which he said make him “feel 500 percent better.” He also has deer hunting trips lined up for the first week in December. He is also planning a future elk hunting trip and a return to Douglas.

So, as you can see, this really was a “Helluva guy” on a “Helluva hunt.”

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K C A B H S A L F CeCil Clark

• Was a three-sport athlete at Crest High school, playing football, basketball and baseball.

• Was All-Conference in football in both his junior and senior years (1978-79) and was team MVP in 1979.

• Played two years of varsity basketball and was a member of the conference championship team during his junior year.

• Played against future NBA star Dominique Wilkins (of Washington High School).

• Played center field and batted close to .400 for Shelby Post 82 American Legion team in 1978.

• Signed with Wofford College out of high school and played two seasons at linebacker (1981-82).

against • His first game for Wofford was against Clemson.

NCAA National Champion Clemson.

Presbyterian • Made 18 tackles against Presbyterian College in a 1981 game. season to • Decided to forego his senior season to early focus on school and graduated early science. from Wofford majoring in social science.

Shelby in • Joined First National Bank in Shelby in there in 1985 and has enjoyed 25 years there in serving as a various capacities; currently serving as a commercial lender.

• Married the former Phyllis Cochran; they have two children, Ryan, 23, and Hillary, 17.

• Now enjoys spending his spare time playing golf, attending his daughter’s soccer matches and singing with the Southern gospel quartet, “Four Anointed.”

Almost anything you need made out of wood,

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Jan/Feb 2011 Foothills Spotlight /39

5 Concierge COMPILED BY SAM

F A B Consider us your Comfort LOUIE HULL - Fishing - Casar

Louie, along with his partner Chuck Montgomery of Blacksburg, won first place in the 2010 Annual Team Bass Tournament on Lake Hickory in September.

Louie and Chuck out-fished over 100 other boats with a winning weight of 18.94 lbs while also winning the biggest fish prize with a catch of 5.47 lbs. They won a 2010 Skeeter ZX 180 bass boat for their efforts.

DAVIS

TAYLOR CROWDER - Volleyball - Rutherfordton

Taylor, a senior middle blocker for R-S Central High accounted for 15 kills, three blocks and an ace in a 3-0 victory (25-22, 26-24, 25-15) of Chase High. With the Did you know Settle Heating & Air offers service win, R-S Central became co-champions in the 3A/2A CHRIS HOLTMANN - Basketball - Boiling Springs South Mountain Athletic Conference. R-S finished the agreements? Did you know that Settle’s service year at 11-4. Taylor, an all conference selection, was Chris, the newly appointed head coach of the agreement customers are never charged overtime voted league MVP by the coaches in the South MounGardner Webb University Running Bulldogs, won the tain Athletic Conference. rates for weekends or holidays?

Service first game of his career with a stunning 78-70 upset of agreement Division 1 member UNC-Charlotte. A Nicholasville, Ky.,customers receive a complete native, Chris, 38, previously spent four years at GWU system check each Spring and Fall as well as a JERRY ZELLER - Soccer - Shelby as an assistant coach from 2004-2008.

15% discount on parts, and same day service.

Jerry, a junior forward, scored three goals to help Shelby High defeat Starmount 5-1 in the third round Call Settle today to take advantage of all HILLARY LUTZ - Tennis - Shelby of the state 2A playoffs. Jerry led the team in scorthis year and helped the Golden Lions win their that a service agreement can doing for you.

Hillary, a junior at Shelby High, won the 2A state sinsecond straight 2A state championship. He was also gles title at the Cary Tennis Center this past Novemnamed to both the All-Region and All-State teams by ber. After defeating Kate Power of Kill Devil Hills First the N.C. Coaches Association.

Flight High 6-0, 7-6 in the semi-finals, she then beat Salisbury’s Katelyn Storey 6-4, 6-0 for the title. Hillary, the South Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year, finished the season 26-1 and helped lead the To nominate an area athlete for the Fab 5, please email sdavis@ccagency.net.

Golden Lions to a 19-2 record.

All ages and all sports nominations are welcome.

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Your We care about children’s eyecare.

At Shelby Eye Center we care about your children’s eyecare and are now accepting new Pediatric patients.

Call and request an appointment with Thomas D. Bailey, M.D., FACS , Stephen J. Bogan, M.D., FACS or Nancy E. Cline, M.D. For more information call 704.482.6767 or visit us online at www.shelbyeyecenter.com Shelby Location: 1170 Wyke Road, Shelby, NC 28150

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Nov/ Dec 2010 Foothills S potlight 61

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words/ laura edington

PHoToGrAPHY/ roger Padgett

MOON TOWN ART STUDIO/

“I

hope I will always have this studio. I’ve wanted this building since I was 18,” says Jennifer Cox, owner and artist of Moon Town Art Studio and Gift Gallery in Boiling Springs.

Her studio is a rustic and classic old building that once served as a small gas station and grocery store. Vacant for several years, she was thrilled when she was able to move into it in 2007.

Jennifer loves artistic expression and says, “I want to saturate the community with my artwork. I don’t have a particular area I focus on. I’m so diverse with everything I do.” Jennifer notes she has been influenced by a number of artists, including William Turner, for his brush strokes and layering, and Jeremy Lipking “…in the figurative world. That’s what I’m working toward, his type of realism.” However, she credits professor Carolyn Ford at Limestone College, where she received her bachelor of arts degree in studio art with a concentration in ceramics, for pushing her “to create what was within. She pushed me to go beyond.

I didn’t want to just make the pinch pot.”

Jennifer does more than sculpt; she also paints, draws and has extensive experience in graphic design.

“There’s always a meaning behind something I create.

It’s all about purpose,” she says. “One thing that could describe my art in general is that every piece of my artwork leaves you with a question. It’s like a mystery.”

A native of Shelby, Jennifer moved to Boiling Springs in 1984. In 1997 she opened the Moon Town Art Studio.

During her first year, she was instructing 63 students, ages 4-80 years old, and she taught all day for two years. She closed her original studio to take time to raise her two daughters but 10 years later reopened

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in the location she has always wanted, creating her diverse and unique artwork. The name for her studio comes from the title of a painting she did for a close friend.

While Jennifer currently works full time as an office manager at a local marketing firm, she still manages to teach advanced sculpting and painting to five students every Thursday. “I’m trying to make adjustments to being a single mom to two kids and working 40 hours a week. My girls are my No. 1. At the end of the day, which would be midnight, that’s my special time when I create.”

All of her hard work and exceptional artwork have not gone unnoticed. Jennifer just completed a sculpture for the Cleveland County Memorial Library.

The sculpture of her niece and nephew reading books took 10 months to complete and was done without the help of a wire frame, also called a wire armature.

“I wanted to do it the way the masters did it when they didn’t have technology. I measured my niece and nephew inch by inch and sculpted each piece. Every piece is completely hollow,” Jennifer declares. She says she greatly enjoyed this opportunity and would like to complete more sculptures and works. “I would love for people to come to me for custom works.”

Jennifer’s studio is located at 231 E. College Street where she holds an art sale twice a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. She plans to offer painting and drawing classes on Tuesdays starting in May. Jennifer loves what she does and does not see herself stopping anytime soon. “I see myself as becoming Anna Hyatt Huntington, still sculpting at age 80.”

Other Detals/ Jennifer Cox, jennwishbone@yahoo.com, 704.300.5581.

Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 43

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Foothills Lands Big Players in Recent Announcements words/ MARK ALAN HUDSON

Editor’s note: As we were preparing the layout for this edition of Foothills Spotlight Magazine, two significant economic development successes were announced.

While covered in the local news media in some depth, we decided to share some of the highlights of these announcements with you.

For more than two years now, the foothills economic landscape has seemed as parched, barren and lifeless as a vast expanse of desert. But a tireless workhorse named economic development has brought bloom to that desert, and we are beginning to believe that the business growth we are seeing is not a mirage, but real.

The early November announcements of two big projects, a Facebook data center in Rutherford County announced by Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, and just a week later, the Wipro Infocrossing Data Center in Cleveland County, announced by Gov. Beverly Perdue, were the culmination of many months of work behind the scenes in each county by economic development leaders in both the public and private sectors.

In Cleveland County, the Wipro announcement was held at the former Chris Craft boat manufacturing plant in Kings Mountain. Gov. Perdue praised the company for choosing the 215,000-square-foot building and commended its plans to undertake renovations and building infrastructure needed for its operations to achieve LEED certification. Over the next three years,

the company plans to invest some $75 million in the facility, creating 17 jobs over the first four years.

Gov. Perdue also spoke to the growing importance of technology services in the coming years and how North Carolina as a state is committed to remaining competitive and aggressive to entice technology companies here. Noting the state has been ranked as the No. 1 state for company relocation in nine of the last 10 years and recently achieved a ranking as the second best jobs growing economy in America, Gov. Perdue said, “This is a big win in a string of wins.”

Sameer Kishore, president of Wipro, noted the selection of the Kings Mountain site was a significant task. “This has been a long journey for us,” he said.

“We started over two years ago looking for a site that would welcome us as partners. We looked at more than 50 sites in 20 states. Gov. Perdue, the state of North Carolina and Cleveland County have created a pro-business environment. This is a celebration of us becoming a part of the local community.”

Not even a week earlier, Rutherford County, which has faced some the highest unemployment figures in the state, announced that it had landed its own data center operation after Facebook choose a local venue for its new $450 million facility to be completed within the next 18 months. The operation is expected to fully employ more than 40 people once open.

The facility will be housed at the site of the old Mako Marine building off Rt. 74 on Old Caroleen Road near Forest City. Remarks made by both Lt. Governor

Walter Dalton and U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R) during the ceremonies each spoke to the significance of the announcement, calling it a “game changer” and long overdue good economic news for the region.

State and local officials participating in the event highlighted the hard work of many leading up to the decision by Facebook to locate their facility here and feel that the name cache of the company will turn heads in other businesses evaluating new site locations and lead to further investment in the area.

In both cases, the data centers represent the first such facilities in each county and both counties utilized significant incentive packages from the state and local levels. And while neither endeavor will result in a large number of new jobs for each location, economic development leaders in both counties believe that the facilities will lead to a second tier of business development across the foothills region making such incentives good in the long run.

As Gov. Perdue noted in Cleveland County, very few people like incentives but with 34 states offering them in a significant way, it is a fact of business life that if we are to attract such businesses, incentives will be involved. One local observer, stating he did not really care for incentives either, felt that if we really thought about it, all of us want and use economic incentives in one way or another. He suggested that any discount coupon, any volume discount or even a discount on your property taxes for paying early is an economic incentive … just on a much smaller scale.

One thing is agreed upon, however: Our state is going to continue to be aggressive in its efforts to bring business and jobs to North Carolina and it appears that our leadership in the foothills is committed to doing the same. However you look at that, the idea of more business, more jobs and a brighter economy is good news to everyone.

Top: Sameer Kishore, president of Wipro, noted the selection of the Kings Mountain site was a significant task. “This has been a long journey for us,” he said.

“We started over two years ago looking for a site that would welcome us as partners.”

Left: from left to right : County Commissioner Julius Owens, NC Senator Debbie Clary, US Congressman Patrick McHenry, NC Representative Mike Hager, and County Commissioner Bill Eckler.

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PHoToGrAPHY/ brETT CLAPPEr

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“C

ome fly with me, come fly, let’s fly away … ” Who can forget Sinatra’s travel whimsy solo from the early 1960’s, unless you were born much, much later? His lyrics marked that era’s fascination with newly popularized air travel for the masses and romanticized by the enticement of visiting exotic places in previously unthinkable timeframes.

That might seem like a mental comparison stretch with Shelby - Cleveland County Regional Airport’s capability, but not if you’re a recreational pilot or business traveler trying to get as close as possible to your work and take advantage of the exciting new facility.

With Sept. 22, 2010 marking dedication day for the brand-new administrative/operations building, the envy of surrounding counties, Shelby can count itself in the big leagues of airport amenities. The twostory, almost $1.16 million, 5,100-square-foot facility boasts five private WiFi-capable offices for rent (one with a mini-conference table area), a 41-person board room complete with adjoining full-service kitchen, an observation area for visitors, a flight planning room, a pilot lounge with smaller kitchen, and an office/ reception area filled with electronic communications gear. Funding for the project has come from a combination of state, county and city funds.

The terminal’s adjoining area provides 30-plus tie-down tarmac parking spaces for aircraft and 11 separate plane hangers. The airport is also equipped to handle basic maintenance for general aviation aircraft (called a “GA” designation) and offers pilots an RNAV GPS landing approach system – the newest

FAA standard. The fully lighted 5,002-foot runway and parallel taxiway can handle most corporate and general aviation traffic. “The biggest aircraft we’ve had in here in the last five years was a 50-passenger jet traveling to California,” says airport Manager Devon Raisch (pronounced “Rash”) You don’t have to ask Devon if he’s excited about the new facility. He’s more than thrilled to show folks around and encourages visitors. “We want to be accessible to the public,” he says. “Bring the kids out with a picnic lunch and enjoy watching planes take off and land. We average 28 takeoffs and landings each day throughout the year, so there’s plenty of activity.”

Call ahead if you would like an individual or group tour.

Devon, a Dayton, Ohio, native, has been with the airport for over five years. He was hired when Compass 21, a privately-held FBO (fixed base of operation), ran the airport’s operations and he stayed on when the City of Shelby took over a little over three years ago. He now reports to Ben Yarboro, the city’s civil engineer.

Devon is one of two airport employees, but the only one who’s full time. Jack Poole comes on site to handle Devon’s duties on the weekends, although Devon’s responsibilities require him to be on-call 24/7.

“We definitely provide a service to the community in terms of helping with fire, police and emergency refueling facilities that save valuable time during lifethreatening events,” Devon explains.

“I’m not certified to fly yet,” Devon admits, “but I’ve worked in and around aviation for about seven years now. My first start was at Rutherford County’s

airport maintenance shop, moving on to GTCC from Guilford Technical Community College’s A&P program where I learned the basics about aircraft systems and maintenance. I’ve flown many times in many different aircraft, but my most memorable was the first flight in a Piper Cub.” While construction on the new terminal progressed, something just as exciting was simultaneously being erected nearby. Passersby who have wondered what all those glistening glass-looking panels were doing all bunched in rows next to the airport entrance now have the mystery solved. They are all collectively called a “solar farm,” and in addition to providing electricity, help meet the state government’s “green” energy requirements and gain the community valuable energy and tax credits. The site, chosen by a private group of investors but now owned by Duke Energy, provides for maximum unobstructed sunlight exposure for about 4,500 panels on eight of the 10 acres of leased city ground. The panels are interconnected by a solar-powered motor system that enables them to follow the sun to gain maximum exposure. “The daily energy output provides power for the airport and the surrounding community,” Devon explains. “The system puts out around one megawatt of electricity each day which is enough to power approximately 130 homes for one day.”

The two entities make for a pretty amazing combination and it makes one wonder … would the Wright Brothers or Thomas Edison have ever envisioned such a bundled enterprise?

Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 49

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Dover Foundation YMCA 704-484-9622 Ruby C. Hunt YMCA 704-434-0441 Kings Mountain Family YMCA 704-739-9631 River Bend YMCA Golf Course 704-482-4286

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ECONOMIC IMPACT –

words/ wade nicholS

follow the money!

For the last in a series about “buy local” campaigns and the rise of the locovore, let’s go beyond local pride, nostalgia and the search for something comfortable.

Though environmental reasons to stay local are the best, let’s focus on the financial facts of life to see why local business just makes more sense today.

Years ago when working in tourism marketing, I found it hard to get support. People in positions like mine didn’t have reliable benchmarks to prove the worth of investments in tourism programs for rural areas or small cities. And, honestly, many of us were afraid to test our intuition.

But times change, and we learned to dig down to the value of visitors and locals alike. It may not be as exact as the atomic-powered clocks keeping us on schedule, but people have now studied consumer habits and buying patterns.

We have always understood that crowds coming to festivals will have an impact on local business. Now there are measures we can use to conservatively estimate what people are spending and how they are helping local businesses.

In tourism we measure direct spending for hotel room nights, with occupancy tax collections and reports on occupancy. In Shelby, we saw room sales rise about 8 percent over the past 12 months, a rebound that leads almost all other parts of North Carolina. Comparing last year’s numbers to this year’s overnight stays, from November to May, Shelby experienced an 18 percent increase in what we consider the tourist season for our region. Part of that recovery from the big recessionary drop came from new visitors attending concerts at the Don Gibson

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Theatre in Uptown. Other contributors were youth sports tournaments and college conferences.

Visitors paid for motel rooms with an average rate of $60, with over 61,000 room nights sold. Local sales taxes collected from out of town visitors were $557,000, reducing the average local tax burden by $150 per year per household.

Out-of-town visitors also buy fuel, pay for meals, shop in our Uptown district, and pay for other services while staying with us. Overnight visits routinely generate additional spending of $13.5 million and the average daily spending per traveler is estimated at $220 in Shelby vs. $209 county-wide.

Special events in Uptown, such as Alive After Five concerts, attract local and regional audiences. If we have 1,200 attendees at one of our concerts, we can safely estimate that Uptown restaurants will see at least 300 customers that might not be visiting otherwise. A research study indicates that downtown districts see an average of $10 per person in spending on other goods and services besides their entertainment at a festival.

The over 4,000 attendees who dropped into Uptown Shelby for the Liver Mush Expo, Fall Festival, and Art of Sound Festival in late October spent money at the Farmers Market, and frequented shops and restaurants on a beautiful Saturday. One restaurant owner said, “Can we do that again? Soon?”

The traditional holiday celebrations in Uptown attracted families visiting Santa’s House and Toyland, as well as those taking horse drawn carriage rides to enjoy the Christmas lights. Merchants extended shopping hours on these Friday nights and estimates

indicate increased retail sales as well as more meals sold to visitors.

We will see another activity impacting local business with the North Carolina Main Street Conference in the Don Gibson Theatre at the end of January. With 400 attendees expected, we anticipate many will stay overnight for two nights, as well as have at least two meals in local eateries. If we expect an average meal price of $12 for approximately 600 meals, that means Uptown restaurants will see new revenues of $7,200 within a 24-hour period. Retail shops will experience a similar increase in revenue.

That money will go to the bottom line of some businesses, pay wait staff at others, and will filter out in payments to accountants and maintenance workers, among others. These paid employees then recycle their dollars back into the community. The longer this cycle rotates in the community the more our local economy benefits. And that is the biggest reason to focus on local independent business in a place like Uptown Shelby.

Wade Nichols is Executive Director of Uptown Shelby Association, Inc., named one of the first Main Street organizations in the United States in 1980. Uptown Shelby Association is a non-profit charged with promoting the historic commercial heart of Shelby, fostering new business, and encouraging the preservation and redevelopment of the Uptown district.

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36 F o o t hills S p o t l i g h t J a n / F e b 2 0 1 0 www.footh i l l s s pot l i ght .com

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SITES, SOUNDS & TASTES/ calendar of events

JANUARY 2011 January 16 Martin Luther King Day

FEBruary 24 10th Annual Bowling for Dollars 11am - 1:30pm $15 (Reservations required) Join others for a delicious homemade soup in a beautiful handmade pottery bowl.

Cleveland County Arts Council 111 S. Washington Street, Shelby ccartscouncil.org / 704.484.2787

FEBruary 25-27 & MarCH 4-6 “Swingtime Canteen” Performance 7:30pm & Sunday 3pm Kings Mountain Little Theatre 202 S. Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain kmlt.org / 704.730.9408 3pm Celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Guest Speaker: Rev. Robert Devoe Palmer Grove Baptist Church 1606 Kingstown Road, Kingstown 704.487.0480

January 29 The Big Chill Casino Night 7:30pm - Midnight $35 in advance $40 at the door.

It’s Casino Night at the Arts Center. Good food, great music and dancing and also a chance to beat the odds and win exciting prizes.

Cleveland County Arts Council 111 S. Washington Street, Shelby ccartscouncil.org / 704.484.2787

ApRil 2011 april 2 Springs Alive Festival 10am - 5pm Live music, food games, arts, crafts and more. A festival featuring something for the entire family.

Gardner-Webb University 110 South Main Street, Boiling Springs gardner-webbuniversity.edu / 704.406.4631

ANYTiMe ClEvEland County travEl & tourisM To view a full list of events in Cleveland County visit tourclevelandcounty.com

MARch 2011

don GiBson tHEatrE

MarCH 11-20

Don Gibson Theatre Performance and Event Schedule can be found at dgshelby.com

Hats: The Musical Fri. & Sat. 7:30pm; Sun. 2:30pm Greater Shelby Community Theatre Cleveland Coummunity College 137 S. Post Road, Shelby gsct.org / 704.480.8495

sHElBy City parK Full Event Schedule can be found at cityofshelby.org/parks

MarCH 12 Woods Tea Co. Concert

FebRUARY 2011 FEBruary 3 - MarCH 10 16th Annual Treasures of the Earth Pottery Show & Sale Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5:30pm Twenty five local and regional artists exhibit sculpture and pottery in a wide variety of styles.

Cleveland County Arts Council 111 S. Washington Street, Shelby ccartscouncil.org / 704.484.2787

FEBruary 14 Carrousel Valentine’s Day Lunch 11:30am - 1:30pm $11 (Reservations required) Shelby City Park 850 West Sumter Street, Shelby cityofshelby.org/parks 704.484.2787

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MarCH 24 - april 21 Cleveland County Student Art Competition Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5:30pm; Sat., April 2 10am - 2pm Student art for grades 3-12 will be on exhibit during this annual competition.

Cleveland County Arts Council 111 S. Washington Street, Shelby ccartscouncil.org / 704.484.2787

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Muscadines – Take the Pain out of Inflammatory Arthritis

Upcoming Events

One of the most frequently asked questions regarding the health benefits of Muscadine wine concerns lowering the risk of Diabetes and reducing the pain associated with Arthritis. Muscadines are among the richest source of antioxidants found in nature and are a leading food source for the antioxidant known as Resveratrol.

Resveratrol is an antioxidant that is reported to lower inflammation associated with Arthritis pain and slow the passage of glucose through the digestive tract to lower the risk of Diabetes. Most everyone is aware that blueberries, blackberries and pomegranates are great sources of antioxidants. What is not commonly known, however, is that Muscadine grapes have more antioxidants per gram than most any other fruit, with three times more antioxidants than blueberries, four times more than blackberries and six times more than pomegranates.

Evidence continues to mount that drinking wine goes hand in hand with a healthy lifestyle and is a powerful means of improving overall health. In 2005, a Harvard team found that the consumption of Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine, by overweight lab mice increased energy levels, lowered cholesterol and reduced overall blood sugar. Scientific journals have recently been filled with studies suggesting that Resveratrol could be a treatment for Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other ailments.

Preventing Arthritis Researchers in Sweden have reported that drinking five to ten glasses of wine per week may cut the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis by up to 50 percent compared with the risk to non-wine drinkers. In addition, other studies have found that moderate wine consumption is linked to increased bone density in elderly women, potentially lowering the risk of osteoporosis.

Lowering Diabetes Risk Studies have shown that people who consume light to moderate amounts of wine on a daily basis appear to have an advantage when it comes to preventing type-2 diabetes.

A Harvard School of Public Health study from 2003 found that women 25 years and older who consumed a glass or two a day were at a 58 percent lower risk of developing

diabetes than non-drinkers. Researchers speculate that wine consumption might help regulate insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels by slowing the passage of glucose through the digestive tract.

Those already diagnosed with diabetes may also benefit from wine consumption as well. There is a clear connection between those with diabetes and an increased risk of heart disease. The risk of coronary heart disease was up to 55 percent lower in studies for diabetics that drank wine in moderation.

How it works Resveratrol is produced by the grapevine to protect the grapes from disease and is present in the skin and seeds of the grapes. Red wine is often recommended for Resveratrol because most red wines are made from the whole grape including the skin and seeds. Resveratrol is normally not present in white wine because it is made from only the juice.

However, at WoodMill Winery all of the red and white wines are made by using the whole grape, including the skin and seeds, and as a result both the red and the white wines are all high in Resveratrol.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a healthy diet that includes five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Typical Americans consume only two or three servings of fruit and vegetables a day. A single 1-cup serving of Muscadine grapes would more than double the average person’s antioxidant intake. Muscadine grapes are fat free, high in fiber and high in antioxidants, especially ellagic acid and Resveratrol. Ellagic acid has demonstrated anticarcinogenic properties in the colon, lungs and liver of mice.

Based on this study, drinking a single glass of Muscadine wine a day is equivalent in Resveratrol concentrations to drinking 40 glasses of European red wine.

Saturday, January 29th WoodMill Winery’s New Wine Release with Pastries by “Do You Love It Sweet & Savory Patisserie” Friday, February 11th Valentine’s Dance Saturday, February 12th Valentine’s Dinner Sunday, February 20th Bridal Show from 1 to 4pm Fashion Show at 3pm 20+ Vendors and 20 door prizes, Free Admission For detailed information please see our website.

We offer Indoor and Outdoor Venues for Weddings, Receptions, Class Reunions, Bridal Showers, Business Meetings and Luncheons.

Wine Tours & Tastings Available Tuesday through Friday from Noon to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm & Sunday 1pm to 6pm.

Join us on

www.footh i l l s s pot l i ght .com Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 51 1506 John Beam Road, Vale, NC 28168 ~ (704) 276-9911 ~ www.woodmillwinery.com

FOOTHILLS VIEWPOINT/ a different bent

Embracing Change words/ jEFF cHamPION

S

ome of the primary functions of our advertising agency here at Champion Communications are to evaluate our client’s activities, procedures and performance. Quite often when a client hires us, it is because the client is looking for a better performance; therefore, it is our responsibility to look for areas in which some changes could be implemented that would make things better. In other words, we assume something is broken and the client has hired us to fix it. Using this analogy, what we do isn’t much different than your mechanic working on your car. We just use different tools.

A common mistake in our industry is for the new agency to implement sweeping changes just for the sake of change, thereby justifying its existence with a lot of activity. While it may be obvious some change is needed, the situation normally just requires changing the part that’s broken and not redesigning the whole process. When we do our job successfully, we keep

what’s good, fix what’s broken and all is well. Then we periodically repeat the entire process of evaluation looking for opportunities to update and improve what is in place … a maintenance plan, if you will.

I wrote the above because in my experience, I’ve realized how similar our industry is to others. Many of us tend to think of our challenges as unique when in reality there are almost always many similarities to the challenges others face. The good part of coming to that realization is that we can all learn from others. I think the most valuable lesson we can learn is: “DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES!” I think we can learn from the newspaper industry as an example. Talk about a business model that is broken!

I once asked a group, “Imagine there had never been a newspaper printed, would anyone in the room think it would be good idea to start one today?” Not one person said yes. This industry’s business model has suddenly become antiquated, yet publishers continue

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to operate the same as they did 50 years ago, prior to cable television and the Internet and they wonder what’s wrong.

While it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out, a pretty smart dude named Einstein once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.” In how many areas of our lives could we apply that logic? I think this applies not only in the business world but also in our personal lives. Just because we’ve always done something a certain way or at a certain time should not justify that action.

Wanting some different or better results? Aren’t we all? Let’s not be afraid of change, but embrace it. I offer that with a word of caution: Don’t be reckless and try to fix what isn’t broken. Just fix the broken part. Then enjoy the new and, we hope, better results that will follow.

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Advertisers Index

243 South ................................................................................................................................................................................. 17 Absolute Collision .................................................................................................................................................................37 Allen Tate Realtors ..................................................................................................................................................................8 American Restoration........................................................................................................................................................... 41 Bayada Nurses ....................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Bill Shuford Heating & Air .....................................................................................................................................................9 Bootstrap Computers ........................................................................................................................................................... 51 Bradley’s ..................................................................................................................................................................................37 Brookdale Senior Living.........................................................................................................................................................9 Buffalo Creek Gallery ............................................................................................................................................................ 19 Carolina House ....................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Carter Chevrolet ..................................................................................................................................................................... 51 Cassie Bradley-Affinity Salon ...............................................................................................................................................9 Chloe’s Boutique ...................................................................................................................................................................50 Cleveland Child Development Center .............................................................................................................................. 15 Cleveland County Arts Council ......................................................................................................................................... 45 Cleveland County Health Care System ..............................................................................................................................4 Cleveland Lumber................................................................................................................................................................. 38 Communities in School .......................................................................................................................................................44 Computer Connections ........................................................................................................................................................ 15 Cornerstone Dental Associates ......................................................................................................................................... 51 Cottonwood Veterinary Hospital ..................................................................................................................................... 38 CPTrX .........................................................................................................................................................................................37 Dippity Dawg .........................................................................................................................................................................50 Do You Love It Sweet & Savory Patisserie ..................................................................................................................... 15 Don Gibson Theatre .................................................................................................................................. insert-2, insert-3 D-Tel Telecommunications .................................................................................................................................................44 Drug Force Screening.......................................................................................................................................................... 26 Fox Distributing..................................................................................................................................................... back cover Frame Masters Gallery......................................................................................................................................................... 56 Got You Covered .................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Gragg and Gragg, LLP ......................................................................................................................................................3, 19 Green River Interiors ............................................................................................................................................................ 26 Hallelujah Acres ....................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Hamrick’s Produce...................................................................................................................................................................5 Hendrick Appliances ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 Holly’s Flowers....................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Hope Animal Hospital ......................................................................................................................................................... 25 Hospice ................................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Integrity Bookkeeping Services ..........................................................................................................................................5 It’s In The Bag ........................................................................................................................................................................ 34 Keeter Ford .................................................................................................................................................................... insert-1 Kitchen and Bath Design of Shelby................................................................................................................................. 53 Laughlin Furniture Warehouse .........................................................................................................................................50 Little Debbie 2 The Rescue ............................................................................................................................................... 25 Lora Gold Farm Bureau ....................................................................................................................................................... 34 Mary Kay/ Lucille Davis ..........................................................................................................................................................5 Max D. Jones & Associates................................................................................................................................................. 30 Norris Merchandise ........................................................................................................................................................ 31, 38 North Point Custom Builders ............................................................................................................................................ 26 Paul Davis Emergency Services ....................................................................................................................................... 45 Peak Resources ....................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Pegram Insurance Agency .................................................................................................................................................44 Personnel Services Unlimited ...........................................................................................................................................44 Peter Potemkin ......................................................................................................................................................................44 Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille ....................................................................................................................................... 25 Positively Paper........................................................................................................................................................................9 Roll Over .................................................................................................................................................................................. 47 Salon 206 .................................................................................................................................................................................57 Scissor Smith & Co. Salon .................................................................................................................................................. 24 Settle Heating and Air .....................................................................................................................................................5, 59 Shelby Eye Centers ........................................................................................................................................................ 17, 40 Shelby Hardware ................................................................................................................................................................... 47 Shelby Nursery/Scottree ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 Shelby Savings Bank...............................................................................................................................................................6 Shelby Surgical Associates ................................................................................................................................................50 Smoke on the Square .......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Southeastern Plastic Surgery ...............................................................................................................................................2 Summitt Place of Kings Mountain .................................................................................................................................... 31 Suzy B’s .................................................................................................................................................................................. 24 The Hearing Aid Center ...................................................................................................................................................... 47 Town of Forest City .............................................................................................................................................................. 34 Two Doors Down................................................................................................................................................................... 47 Uptown Shelby Association...............................................................................................................................................44 Victorian Rose Studio ...............................................................................................................................................insert - 1 Walker Carpet ........................................................................................................................................................................ 56 Walker Woodworking ................................................................................................................................................ insert-4 WGWG ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Woodmill Winery .................................................................................................................................................................. 55 Work Force Staffing .............................................................................................................................................................. 51 YMCA.................................................................................................................................................................................. 13, 50 www.footh i l l s s pot l i ght .com

Happy New Year from

Salon 206 Cayce

Lisa

Mary Beth

Laura

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Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 57

REFLECTIONS/ from the well

longer be trusted. Recently I became startled when my 6-year-old nephew said from the backseat, “Auntie, where are we going?” I replied, “Oh, my goodness, darling; Auntie forgot you were back there.”

But these are mere inconveniences. These days, I find a far more disturbing inner turmoil brewing. So on this January day, sit back, read, reflect and consider this a warning of JOY to what’s ahead with these words borrowed from a 17th century nun’s prayer.

Growing Old words/ REv. CRYSTaL ChampION

I

have known since my early twenties that I would not pass into old age gracefully. Although I never really saw it coming, I now find myself right in the middle of “older” age. And despite many promises to myself over the years, I find myself repeating “O Lord, I have become my mother” several times daily. I remember all too well making fun of her losing things, burning pan after pan of cookies, getting in the car with her only to hear her say, ”Now where is it we’re going?”

But all of you women know that we never really thought we’d get to this point. I know Mama is having a good belly laugh at me daily.

I can no longer get out of bed in the morning without asking for divine intervention. I can no longer be the catcher in the kids’ softball game as I can no longer squat. (I can, however, sit down and hope the batter hits all the balls and misses me.) I can no longer sit down on my comfortable furniture and get up with any grace whatsoever.

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When traveling, I can no longer “hold it” to the next exit. I can no longer park my car properly within lined spaces. I often find myself simply abandoning my car.

As a friend suggested, I make lists for shopping items, chores and errands, only to find myself ripping them up and thinking, “Now who put that there?” I learned years ago while in conversation to simply cross my fingers as a reminder of something important to say when given the chance . . . only to find my fingers getting sore as I could no longer remember the point.

Coming out of church on a recent Sunday after thoroughly enjoying the sermon, I looked at the pastor and said, “Pastor, I so enjoyed your sermon on ….” and I went blank. He quickly added, “On Paul?”

Thank goodness for his kindness, and I sure hope he wasn’t playing a dirty trick on me. He could have been preaching about Satan himself.

A dear friend had several sets of extra keys made as she constantly was losing them. She wanted me to keep a set for her but I had to say that I could no

LORD, thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest Lord that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains.

They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy tales of others’ pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint — some of them are so hard to live with — but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people.

And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. AMEN

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Ja n/Feb 20 1 1 Foothills Sp otlig ht / 51

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