Gaston County’s
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Thursday, October 18, 2018
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News from a neighbor!
Volume 84 • Issue 42
Thursday, October 18, 2018
• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Mt. Holly Lamp Parade has an international angle by Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The bible urges folks not to hide their lamp under a basket, and that adage is certainly going to come true on Oct. 20 at 7pm when the Mt. Holly Lamp Parade steps off at Ida Rankin Elementary School, continues down West Central Avenue, turns right on South Main Street, and ends at the newly christened permanent trellis system for the Mount Holly Farmer’s Market. During the parade, folks will see over 20 dazzling and illuminated lamps marched through town. The parade will be led by members of the official drumline of the Panthers, PurrCussion. Kathleen Doody of Toronto, Canada will be on hand to judge the lanterns for the prizes. Doody is an artist with over 20 years of lantern-making experience, and conducts lantern parades internationally The lamps will include such fanciful creations as the legendary flying horse Awaken Gallery owner Emily Andress and Irish artist Olive Stack with the Pegasus lantern that will be Pegasus, a huge fish, a giant snake with hoisted at the Mt. Holly Lantern Parade. Photo by Alan Hodge working jaws, large and colorful butterflies, and more. The lamps were created
by local students from schools like Ida Rankin Elementary, local artists like Diane Pike, and Awaken Gallery owner Emily Andress. They are made of wire and willow sticks with translucent paper stretched over the framework. Pitching in to lend her expertise to the lamp parade project has been Irish artist Olive Stack who is a resident of and art gallery owner in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland. Stack’s jaunt to Mt. Holly to work with the lantern parade was sponsored by the Mt. Holly Community Development Foundation. “I love Mt. Holly,” Stack said. “The people are so warm and friendly. It’s a lot like home.” During her stay, Stack has been working with other artists and Ida Rankin students as they craft their lanterns. She’s also making one that will represent the 1916 Mt. Island Mill bell that’s at the Mt. Holly Historical Society. Stack and Andress met several years ago and are close friends. “I got the idea for the lamp parade after seeing one in Paris,” said Andress. See LAMP page 2
Community Foundation hands Here a chick, there a chick out checks in Mt. Holly Belmont council approves backyard chickens By Alan Hodge
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munity Impact Fund. The Impact Fund committee included Reggie Graham, Johnny Painter, Lauren Shoemaker, and Reeves McGlohon. Community Foundation representatives
on hand included president Ernest Sumner and program director Erin Wiggins. Sumner praised Mt. Holly for all the work that's been by Alan Hodge
Well deserved cash flowed at last week's meeting of the Mt. Holly city council when representatives of the See FOUNDATION page 5 Community Foundation of Gaston County handed out a number of checks to local organizations. The groups had been chosen for the grants by the Mt. Holly Community Impact Fund. The Community Foundation works with local leaders in Mt. Holly and elsewhere to support new and innovative ideas. This year, the Community Foundation contributed State Farm agent Adam Lee is seen holding the $25,000 check that will help $10,000 to the fund the planned veterans healing garden in downtown Mt. Holly. Mt. Holly ComPhoto by Alan Hodge Official Liver Mush Festival of North Carolina
Mutts
Shelby, NC
NC BREW FEST & CHILI COOK-OFF
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Fans of chickens, on the hoof, not fried or baked, in Belmont, have plenty to crow about. At its last meeting, the Belmont city council approved an ordinance that will allow those so inclined to keep a small flock of chickens on their property- with provisions. The approved ordinance will allow the keeping of up to four chickens in the rear yard area if all requirements can be met. Requirements include setbacks from side and rear property lines, chicken housing requirements, cleanliness, and permitting. The city got involved in the chicken business by meeting with local residents who gave feedback on a draft of the ordinance. Lara Worden, area agent from the NC Cooperative Extension Service, also offered suggestions. See CHICKENS page 3
NC Cooperative Extension master gardener Dana Harper is a fan of backyard chickens. She’s seen with one of her flock. Dana Harper photo
October 19th
October 20th
NC Brew Festival & Chili Cook-Off
The Official NC Liver Mush Festival
6:00-9:30 pm
8am - 4pm
VIP entrance
5:00 PM
Court Square in Uptown Shelby, NC
MUSHMUSICANDMUTTS.COM i
Festival Admission FREE!