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Thursday, December 20, 2018
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Volume 84 • Issue 51
News from a neighbor! • Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Thursday, December 20, 2018
December 7th Forging the Future Editors note Belmont historian and author Stan Cromlish recently returned from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he attended events relating to the December 7, 1941 attack there by Japanese planes. Here’s his after action report and thoughts on the trip. By Stan Cromlish The theme for the 77th Commemoration Ceremonies
was “Forging the Future” because, after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Nation had to endure a year of struggle while mobilizing and trying to stem the tide of Japanese aggression in the Pacific. With Guadalcanal won in February 1943, the country could begin to look to the future where the United States and its allies might actually prevail in the conflagration that
had erupted with the Japanese attack. But other future themes were prevalent during this week’s events. There was a somber realization that we are fast approaching a future without any of our Pearl Harbor Survivors and World War II veterans, and we cannot ever forget the future they forged for us from 1941 through 1945. See PEARL HARBOR, Page 2
Belmont author Stan Cromlish, left, just got back from Pearl Harbor. He’s pictured with John Matthrusse, a Pearl Harbor survivor. Photo by Stan Cromlish
The New Old-Time Religion
Mt. Holly city officials and CCOG awards judges at the Region of Excellence event. From left: John Metcalf, President of Workforce Systems Associates, Mt. Holly Assistant City Manager Miles Braswell, City Manager Danny Jackson, Mayor Bryan Hough, Planning Director Greg Beal, and Bill Deter, former Mayor for the Town of Weddington.
Mt. Holly receives Quality of Life Award Edited by Alan Hodge The Centralina Council of Governments (CCOG) recently hosted its annual Region of Excellence Awards Luncheon at The Speedway Club to recognize innova-
tive government initiatives, leaders and municipalities in the Charlotte Region. Of the six awards given across the CCOG’s nine county region, three went to Gaston County governments and organizations for their combined ef-
forts in improving quality of life, growing the economy, and pursuing clean and sustainable solutions to reduce emissions, cut costs, and improve air quality. See AWARD, Page 5
By Shelton Fisher There two things in the South that many would claim to be taken very seriously. The pairing are the practices of traditions and church services. For many generations, people keep time honored traditions as vigils for their children and grandchildren to carry on like torches in the night. As for going to church, many are seeking a spiritual home each week and have brought their families to places where they can grow and flourish as not only people, but as good stewards as well. Pastor Judd Burnett of the River of Life Full Gospel Church is looking to provide just that through both guidance from the good book and the solid foundations of southern gospel tradition. Inspired by his grandfather Bo Burnett’s preaching, Judd’s future has been sown in good soil for years. At the
Pastor Judd Burnett (seen with wife Tessa) has founded a new church in Mt. Holly with an emphasis on traditional worship. Photo by Shelton Fisher
age of six, Judd was given his very first opportunity to preach at Redeemed of the
First-Born Church in Belmont under Junior Burnett. See RELIGION, Page 7
Downtown Christmas Celebration SATURDAYS: DECEMBER 8th, 15th, 22nd 2018 DOWNTOWN CHEROKEE STREET PARKING LOT • KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC
Free Family Fun! Christmas Light Display • Downtown Holiday Market • Live Performances • Visit Santa’s Workshop Living Nativity • Victorian Carolers • Historic Carriage Rides and so much more.
View the official event calendar and join the celebration: Kings MountainChristmas.com