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Thursday, March 19, 2015
Belmont Community Garden ready for second season By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Spring is here and the Belmont Community Garden is ready to begin its second season of planting. Last year, the garden was created on a vacant lot in downtown Belmont owned by Jonathan Taylor who, along with his friend Tyler Jones of the Provisions Local Market store, came up with the idea. About 40 raised bed plots 10 feet long and five feet wide were built inside a 100 foot by 65 foot fenced in area. The beds were filled with rich dirt by master gardener Jason Loseke of the Garden Grower. Belmont-based Absolute Turf also pitched in. An added feature of the garden is its unique water supply. Instead of using city water, the garden is fed by a 1,500 gallon cistern that was donated by the Town and Country Garden Club. The plots were offered for lease at $50 each with the money being used to pay for the cost of the project. They went like hotcakes. “The BCG had a very successful first season as we were completely utilized and on a waiting list the entire season,” said Taylor. “Many families participated with their kids. Our educational plots for Cherubs Café and for Page Primary were educational and fun for all involved. Our mission is to enlighten our community and add value, I think our mission was accomplished.” Last Thursday, a group of Town and Country Garden Club members met Taylor and Loseke at the garden site for post winter prep. Loseke gave club members pointers on topics such as garden pests- good and bad- and how to prepare a garden for spring planting. Club member Jessica Durham was on hand getting her plot for this year ready.
Town and Country Garden Club members Angie Lee and Belinda Gunter were seen digging in a plot at the Belmont See more COMMUNITY GARDEN page 3 Community Garden last week. Photo by Alan Hodge
Local distiller looking for even playing field By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
In North Carolina it's legal for wineries and breweries to sell their product at the place where it's made, but the same rule doesn't apply to distillers. That's a fact that has some folks, including Muddy River rum distillery owners Robbie and Caroline Delaney of Belmont, hoping a change is in the air. Now in its third year of operation, Muddy River Distillery is located in a portion of the former Spectrum mill in East Belmont. Starting with a single still Robbie made from a milk pasteurizing tank to its current output of over 600 bottles of rum per week, the business has become very successful. In fact, Caroline and Robbie Delaney own and operate Muddy River Distillery in East Belmont. They the Delaney's product is sold in and other N.C. distillers are hoping to one day sell their product on site like wineries do. over 300 ABC stores statewide. Photo by Alan Hodge “The state ABC takes care of us really well,” said Rob- ket their rum at the distillery would help the in the state. bie. “But we just want the same Delaneys is with increased sales to tourists. “If half of the people who visit us bought rights that the brewery and win- Right now, around 100 people per week a bottle, we could afford to hire another ery guys have.” tour the Muddy River facility making it arOne way the ability to mar- guably the most visited business of its type See more DISTILLER page 2
G N I COMOUR D IN IL 2N APRSUE! IS
Cheering the 2009 South Point football AAA champions By Bobby Brown, Board member A town of champions! That is what you might call Belmont as the Sports Hall of Fame inducts 2009 State AAA Champion Football Team into the pictured halls of outstanding sports figures and teams at the Belmont Historical Society on Catawba Street. Park Street Methodist Family Life Center will again be the scene of excitement and honor as the 28th Annual Banquet of Induction takes place on Monday, March 23rd. at 7:00 p.m. Over the 28-year history of the BSHF there have been ten other Championship sports teams from the Belmont Community enshrined. The 2009 Red Raider Football Team was involved in no less that seven games that were decided late in regulation play or in overtime. The first three games were decided on the last play of the games, which included a heartbreaking loss to a strong Clover team in a season opener. As the season moved along the play touted victories for the Red Raiders against tough conference teams including Lincolnton and East Gaston. Moving through the season like a fire in a dry forest the Raiders chalked up victories against Asheville, Burns, Kings Mt., Hunter Huss and Ashbrook. Coming off a seven game winning streak, the Raiders, 4th ranked and hungry, came up short by one point to lose to Forestview 21-20. That would be the last time for the season. Closing out the regular season with wins See more HALL OF FAME page 2