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Thursday, May 10, 2018
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News from a neighbor!
Volume 84 • Issue 19
Thursday, May 10, 2018
• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Mothers Day has seasoned moms reflect on child raising By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Mothers Day is here and for a trio of moms who frequent the East Gaston Adult Day Care Center in Catawba Heights, the occasion brings back memories of their own active child rearing days and ways. Minnie Pinkney, 87, grew up and raised her kids- all 11 of them- in Hamlet, N.C. They were named Chella, Junie, Eula, Donnia, Sherry, Cindy, Iris, Troy, Robbie, Melick, and Leroy. Pinkney had a real challenge on her hands because her husband died and she was left to raise the kids. “My mother Mary Morrison helped and so did my aunt Odessa Covington,” Pinkney said. Pinkney says simply feeding and clothing the crew was difficult at times, but everyone made it through school. “They all graduated,” she said proudly. Woe was the Pinkney child that bucked. “I did not have time for
foolishness or mischief,” Minnie said. “I would set down the law and if that didn't work I would tear their butts up.” Like a lot of mothers who raised kids in the days of yore, Pinkney is mystified at some of today's parenting styles. “These days, kids don't listen to what their parents tell them,” Pinkney said. “They talk back and everything. The parents are too busy to watch the kids and guide them the right way. Sometimes it hurts to do it, but I say stick to the stick if you have to.” Ruth Clinton, 84, was born in South Carolina but grew up in Catawba Heights. Clinton raised eight kids- four of her own named Ethel, Ronnie, David, and Tammy, and her brother's four children. “He was a single parent and lived next door,” Clinton said. “I kept them Monday through Friday while he was at work.” The eight kids were an enjoyable challenge for Clinton. Moms Sarah Garrett, Minnie Pinkney, and Ruth Clinton gather with other folks at the East Gaston Adult Day Care Center each week and share stories- including those that revolve around their children. Photo by Alan Hodge See MOTHERS page 2
Town of Stanley poised for downtown revitalization By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Work on Aberfoyle Village development is progressing By Alan Hodge
Work on the Aberfoyle Village housing project on Linestowe Dr. in East Belmont has been well under way for the past couple of months. Recent weeks have seen numerous pieces of heavy, earthmoving equipment working on preparing the site for construction. The Brookline Homes project was approved by the Belmont city council last summer. When it's finished, there will be 70 townhomes and 102 apartments. The 11-acre site bordering the Catawba River is off East Catawba Street between Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park and Riverside Marina. The Aberfoyle Mill that was formerly there was demolished more than 10 years ago, and the only remaining link to the past is the former mill office building that will be preserved and used as a sales office for the new development. The plan calls for respecting the industrial heritage of the site by designing three brick apartment buildings with large windows in the style of a mill. The three-story apartment buildings will be surrounded by town homes also designed to complement the style. The Aberfoyle Mill was a thriving part of East Belmont for many decades and was originally built in 1925. The mill was a branch of Chester, Pennsylvania, Aberfoyle Mills that See ABERFOYLE page 8 alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The Town of Stanley is making great strides towards revitalizing its downtown area. In January, the town received a Central Business District Master Plan from Charlotte-based CMW Design Strategies LLC outlining steps that will help “provide guidance for new economic development opportunities, create an implementation strategy, and develop a list of grant and funding prospects that the Town may actively pursue”. The plan's framework cited a number of revitalization opportunities including- expanding the Central Business District, improving major road intersections, See STANLEY page 9
Town Clerk Catherine Greder is seen at the Brevard Station Museum on Main St. in Stanley. The Town is working hard to begin revitalization and beautification projects. Photo by Alan Hodge
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