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Thursday, July 23, 2020
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Volume 86 • Issue 29
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Thursday, July 23, 2020
Mount Holly Community Garden is a plant-based paradise By Alan Hodge alan@cfmedia.info
The Mt. Holly Community Garden is in its sixth season and bigger and better than ever. Located at 126 N. Main St next to First United Methodist Church, the garden has become a mecca not only for the folks who have garden plots there, but also for people just wanting to sit on a bench and take in all the flowering and vegetable wonderfulness. Right now, the garden has 52 beds brimming with a bounty of fantastic flowers and an astounding variety of vegetables ranging from tenfoot-tall Russian Mammoth sunflowers to tons of tomatoes, many pounds of pep-
pers, artichokes that won’t choke Arty, cornucopias of corn, etc. etc. “We had a great growing season,” said garden VP Erin Denison. “It was perfect for all kinds of produce and flowers.” As it has before, the garden is giving a part of the harvest to the Mt. Holly Community Relief Organization. “This year we have the produce from ten beds dedicated for donation to the CRO,” said Denison. “So far, that’s one thousand pounds. We’re hoping for two thousand pounds.” Wait, there’s more. A beautiful new mural on the side of the tool storage shed is nearly complete. The artwork See GARDEN, Page 6
Shepherd, Henry, and Emily Rust harvest some goodies from their plot at the Mt. Holly Community Garden. Photo by Alan Hodge
Yates Pryor - the Mayor of Ridge Drive - has a lot to celebrate By Alan Hodge alan@cfmedia.info
Celebratory and congratulatory vehicle parades have been a popular way of well-wishing these past few months and one took place on Ridge Dr. last week in to celebrate the 90th birthday of Yates Pryor. The 20-vehicle parade included Mt. Holly police cars, a Community Fire Dept. truck, and numerous other autos driven by friends and family. Huge balloons and festive greetings painted and penned on signs were also part of the curbside party. One sign even announced that Pryor was the “Mayor of Ridge Dr.”. Pryor’s daughter Beth, who with sister Amanda Eldridge had planned the show, described another unique aspect of the already amazing event. “A storm was predicted during the time we were decorating and lining up the cars for the parade,” Beth said. “It held off until we were all safe in the carport partaking of the refreshments. After the storm passed, we were blessed to see both ends of a beautiful rainbow.” As you might imagine, Yates was totally surprised by the tribute. “I didn’t know anything about it,” he said. “Nothing at all.” Pryor is still enjoying a pretty interesting life. He was See PRYOR, Page 3
(Right) Yates and Sarah Pryor have been married 64 years. He celebrated his 90th birthday July 9th. (Below) The Pryors on their wedding day March 25, 1956.
Gov. Cooper announces back to school plan Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen were joined last week by education and health leaders to announce health and safety plans for K-12 public schools for the new school year. Schools will open for in-person instruction under an updated Plan B that requires face coverings for all K-12 students, fewer children in the classroom, measures to ensure social distancing for everyone in the building, and other safety protocols. “The most important opening is that of our classroom doors. Our schools provide more than academics; they are vital to our children’s’ health, safety and emotional development,” said Governor Cooper. “This
is a difficult time for families with hard choices on every side. I am committed to working together to ensure our students and educators are as safe as possible and that children have opportunities to learn in the way that is best for them and their families.” The Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit outlines the updated requirements for Plan B. Districts may choose to operate under Plan C, which calls for remote learning only, and health leaders recommend schools allow families to opt in to all-remote learning. Modifications have been made to Plan B since it was released in June to make it more protective of public health. “After looking at the current scientific evidence and See PLAN, Page 4
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