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Volume 85 • Issue 47
24/7 EMERGENCY EYE CARE
• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Four Troop 58 Boy Scouts earn Eagle designation By Alan Hodge Alan@cfmedia.info
It’s a special day when a Boy Scout earns his Eagle designation, but when four are recognized at once, it’s even better. That was the scene recently at the Reflection
Pointe development clubhouse when a quartet of Troop 58 members became Eagles. The event was attended by a group of wellwishers as well as Belmont mayor Charles Martin and Congressional member Rep. Patrick McHenry.
The scouts included Joshua Millspaw, Lewis Pontz, Christian Pinto, and Nathan Brown. Millspaw is an 18-yearold senior at South Point High. He’s been in the Boy Scouts for 12 years. He became interested in scouting
These Boy Scouts from Troop 58 based at Park Street UMC in Belmont were recently awarded their Eagle Scout designation. From left, Joshua Millspaw, Lewis Pontz, Christian Pinto, and Nathan Brow. Photo by Alan Hodge at an early age. “I was six years old when I started,” he said. What sparked his interest? “They told me I could shoot a BB gun, learn to start a fire, and go to a NASCAR race,” he said. To earn his Eagle badge, Millspaw took to the woods with helpers, rakes, and shovels. “It’s a walking trail for the South Point cross country running team,” he said. “It’s behind Page Primary School on 30-acres of unused
woods.” Millspaw explained why he feels it’s vital for folks his age to help others. “Belmont is a great place,” he said. “We have great young people and it’s important that they get involved in the community.” Pontz is 17-years-old and also a South Point senior. He’s been a Boy Scout for 11 years. “I joined because I thought it would be a fun, cool thing to do,” he said. “My favorite part is camping
outdoors.” For his project, Pontz did some remodeling at the adult day care facility called The Center. “I took a spare room and turned it into a ‘man cave’ for the male clients,” he said. “It’s a place they can hang out.” Pontz described what he did. “I installed a TV, made a table, made book shelves, and hung some signed sports pictures,” he said. See SCOUTS, Page 2
Development coming to North Belmont Mt. Holly Community Garden VP and Board member Erin Denison and the great crop of collard greens growing in the plot of Johnny and Glenda Painter in honor of Pam Painter. Photo by Alan Hodge
Mt. Holly Community Garden gearing up for the holidays By Alan Hodge Alan@cfmedia.info
Cool weather is here and the Mt. Holly Community Garden, 126 N. Main St., is not only full of fall greens ga-
lore, its also gearing up for the fifth annual Christmas Enchantment at the Garden event. A visit to the garden last week with MHCG vice president and board member Erin
Denison revealed some recent improvements to the site and plans for the big Christmas event. “We have been working hard at the garden,” Denison See GARDEN, Page 7
By Alan Hodge Alan@cfmedia.info
North Belmont is poised for a major commercial development. At the November 11 meeting of the Belmont city council, that body approved a rezoning request that will pave the way for construction of a large business park at Woodlawn and Cason streets. The development will be known as River West Business Park. The rezoning applicant was Belmont In-
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dustrial, LLC represented by Scott Bortzk. The rezoning plans are for two warehouse and office structures to built with a total area of 60,000 sq. ft. The property where the project will take place is owned by Alliance Real Estate III. When completed, it is estimated the project could generate 250 to 350 new jobs. The project will likely require road improvements one of which would eliminate the blind intersection at Acme Rd. and Woodlawn and also
shut Centerview St. The 40 acre site where the development is slated has a long and interesting history going back to the 19th century when it was part of a 500 acre plot that Robert Smith purchased from Catawba Indians in 1830 for $1,000. Later, the land was the site of Acme Spinning Mill. That textile facility opened around 1920 and operated not one, but two mills. It also had a village of company houses See NORTH BELMONT, Page 2
Annual Christmas Show Sat • Dec 7th • 2019 10am 'til 5pm
Over 40 vendors selling Christmas related items including art, handmade crafts, wood turning, pottery, jewelry, wine baskets and more. Complimentary wine tasting and winery tours will be available throughout the day. Wine specials 10% off 3 bottles of wine and 20% off cases of wine during the event. free admission ~ free parking ~ free wine samplings ~ rain or shine event ~ no pets
Hours: Tues. - Fri. 12-6pm Sat. 10am-6pm Sun. 1-6pm