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Volume 83 • Issue 7
The Banner News / banner-news.com
Thursday, February 16, 2017
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• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Thursday, February 16, 2017
McAdenville Elementary’s Crosby named Gaston Teacher of the Year By Alan Hodge
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“I tell people I have 26 kids,” McAdenville Elementary 5th grade teacher Beth Crosby says. “Twenty four at school and two at home.” That caring and inclusive philosophy is just one reason why Crosby was recently named Gaston County Teacher of the Year 2016. “As our Teacher of the Year, Beth Crosby represents the more than 1,900 classroom teachers we have in Gaston County who are outstanding, qualified education professionals,” said Superintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey Booker. “Every day, our teachers go beyond expectations to ensure that children are successful. We are very proud of Mrs. Crosby and all that she does to teach, help, and inspire her students.” McAdenville Elementary principal Linda Neely had this to say about Crosby. “Mrs. Crosby has earned her position as Gaston County Teacher of the Year,” Neely said. “She teaches with enthusiasm, energy, with a focus on student achievement and growth. Her love of teaching and genuine interest in all aspects of her students' lives creates a classroom environment where students enjoy learning and there is a very high level of student engagement.” Crosby has 16 years of experience in education and earned a Bachelor of Science in child development with licensure in elementary education from Meredith College. A visit to Crosby's classroom tells the story in practical, visual, terms as to why she was honored by her peers. Gaston County Schools 2016 Teacher of the Year, Beth Crosby, is seen enjoying a chat with some of her McAdenville Elemen“My room is like me,” Crosby says. tary 5th grade students. Kids from left- Rodger Barnett, Hannah Etheridge, Emily Gilbert, Skylar Akers. See CROSBY page 2 Photo by Alan Hodge
East Belmont Baptist celebrates seniors Allen Steam Station employees helping out in the community By Alan Hodge
alan.bannernews@gmail.com
East Belmont Baptist Church celebrated the birthdays of several of its members last week- including the upcoming 100th of Rosa Mae Brannon. The event drew dozens of friends, family, and fellow congregation members from as far away as Indiana who shared wellwishes and stories. Brannon, who was born on Feb. 18, 1917 to Arthur and Martha Brannon, continues to amaze everyone with her energy, intellectual sharpness, and attractiveness. “I grew up on a beautiful country farm on South Point Rd.,” Brannon said. “We had chickens and a cow. I didn't work in the fields but did chores around the house.” Brannon first attended a one-room school across the road from the farm. Later, she went to East Belmont Elementary. When she was 16-years-old she married Ransom Laney. They had one child named Ronald. Like a lot of folks in our region, Brannon spent time working in textiles. “I was a spinner at Sterling Mill and we lived in the mill village at 201 Faires Avenue,” she said. “I also worked at Belmont Hosiery.” Rosa Mae Brannon will hit 100-years-old on February 18th. Being born while World War I was still going on means East Belmont Baptist Church honored her last week with a Photo by Alan Hodge See SENIORS page 2 lunch celebration.
By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
There's a new bench at Stowe Park in downtown Belmont thanks to Duke Energy's Allen Steam Station employees. Last week saw a nice, black powder coated, solid steel bench installed on the S. Main St. sidewalk in front of the park. Several Allen Steam Station workers showed up to see the bench bolted down and to present Belmont Public Works director David Isenhour with a check for $1,100 to cover the cost. “This bench will be here a long time,” Isenhour said. Allen Steam Station's Adam Toney had this to say about how the bench came to be. “Back in October I reached out to Belmont city manager Adrian Miller for some ways Allen Steam Station could give back to the community,” Toney said. “He referred me to David Isenhour who asked if we would be willing to donate See ALLEN STEAM STATION page 5