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Volume 84 • Issue 10
Thursday, March 8, 2018
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News from a neighbor!
Thursday, March 8, 2018
• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Cat in the Hat shows up at Belmont Central Elementary By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Students at Belmont Central Elementary School got a real treat when the Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat character showed up and read stories to them last Friday. The Cat in the Hat was really Gaston Schools board of education member Lee Dedmon who donned the cat suit. Joining Dedmon in reading to the kids was a group of other dignitaries that included Belmont mayor Charles Martin, Miss Belmont Maddy Wilson, Miss South Point Sofia Saiz, Gastonia mayor Walker Reid, and many more. March 2nd is also the birthday of famed author Dr. Seuss so the stories and theme of the day reflected that. Belmont principal Phyllis Whitworth had this to say about the event and its purpose. “Reading is important because it lets you learn, grow, and become a success,” she said. “Reading allows you to go places and have the opportunity to experience many things through words.” The Belmont Central event was part of the National Education Association's Read Across America Day celebrating reading and the imGaston Schools board of education member Lee Dedmon was “Cat in the Hat” for a day when portance it has. Other Gaston County schools also particihe and other dignitaries visited Belmont Central Elementary for Read Across America last pated in the day with reading events of their Friday. Photo by Alan Hodge own.
In other cities and towns across the nation, teachers, teenagers, librarians, politicians, actors, athletes, parents, grandparents, and others develop NEA's Read Across America activities to bring reading excitement to children of all ages. Governors, mayors, and other elected officials recognize the role reading plays in their communities with proclamations and floor statements. Athletes and actors issue reading challenges to young readers. And teachers and principals seem to be more than happy to dye their hair green or be duct-taped to a wall if it boosts their students' reading. Read Across America's roots go back to May 1997, when a small reading task force at NEA came up with a big idea. "Let's create a day to celebrate reading," the group decided. "We hold pep rallies to get kids excited about football. We assemble to remember that Character Counts. Why don't we do something to get kids excited about reading? We'll call it 'NEA's Read Across America' and we'll celebrate it on Dr. Seuss's birthday." And so was born on March 2, 1998, the largest celebration of reading this country has ever seen. Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school. See more CAT IN THE HAT photos page 3
Men Who Cook event warmed stomachs and hearts Alligator found in By Alan Hodge Catawba near Belmont alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The annual Mt. Holly Rotary Men Who Cook charity event took place Feb. 25 in the Grand Hall of the Mt. Holly Municipal Complex. Hundreds of folks showed up to chow down on delicious eats prepared by Rotary Club members as well as Mt. Holly officials and other fine food fixers. Money raised by the event will be used for scholarships. Mt. Holly Rotary photo
The recent 22nd annual Mt. Holly Rotary Club Men Who Cook fundraiser was, as usual, a big hit with over 300 folks in attendance. "If you ask me, this was the best year ever," said Paul Herbert, Club President. The fun and food filled event featured some of the finest male "chefs" in Gaston County. Elected officials, Rotarians, restaurateurs and members of the community who simply enjoy cooking, many of whom are men and few women, all came together and offered samples of vegetables, meats, soups, and desserts. Men Who Cook is not only full of fun and food, it's for a good cause. All funds raised are used to provide scholarships to deserving seniors at East Gaston High School and Stuart Cramer High School. Men Who Cook has an interesting background. In 1981 the Mt. Holly Rotary Club started awarding scholarships to deserving East Gaston High School seniors to further their
By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
A massive alligator was pulled from the Catawba River near the Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park boat ramp last week. Actually, the gator was about five feet long and dead as a door nail. The fat reptile’s lifeless corpse was spotted on the Mecklenburg side of the river by kayaker Antonio Figueroa who was paddling with his fiance and a friend. Figueroa loaded the creature on his kayak and brought it to the Gaston side. He also took several photos of the beast and posted them on his Facebook page. TV news crews arrived on the scene as did wildlife officers. According to TV newscasts, Belmont’s Jacob Cannon had seen the gator alive the day before Figueroa spotted its lifeless body.
See more Men Who Cook page 4
Spring Wine Festival
FREE ADMISSION • RAIN OR SHINE
• New Apple & Concord Grape Wines Release • 40 Novelty Vendors ~ Free Wine Samples & Winery Tours Wine Specials During Event: 20% Off Case of Wine ~ 10% Off 3 or More Bottles
See more ALLIGATOR page 5
Saturday March 17th 10am-5pm
1506 John Beam Road • Vale, NC • 704-276-9911 • www.woodmillwinery.com