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Thursday, July 9, 2015

of Stanley

(704) 263-4646 Introducing Dr. Micah Naylor as our Solo Practitioner

Volume 81 • Issue 27 Vol

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Serving Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley

G.I. Janes roller derby team taking the track by storm

By Alan Hodge

alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Banish all images from your mind of roller derby girls going around with missing teeth and covered in bruises. In the case with a local team, the G.I. Janes, members are a group of articulate and fun loving ladies who take to the track for exercise, competition, and camaraderie. The G.I. Janes team is now in its second season and rolling right along. They've already taken on teams from as far away as Kill Devil Hills and Spartanburg. Upcoming games will see the team go up against the likes of the New River Knockouts and the U.R.G.E. (Upstate Roller Girls Evolution) from Easley, S.C. Several of the G.I. Janes are from Belmont and Mt. Holly including 27-year-old Autumn Michael- mother of two- who goes by the name of “Slyther Her In”. She explained how the team got started. “Our head coach Jennifer Ganzer moved here and already had a lot of roller derby experience,” Michael said. “She decided to start a team. It has gotten off to a fast start literally see more

Stan McDowell and his wife Karen along with grandchildren Alex and Ava Link place the first of 2,000 flags that were put along the streets of McAdenville last Friday night in Operation Honoring Freedom. Photo by Alan Hodge

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Planting seeds of freedom in McAdenville By Alan Hodge

alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Last Friday night saw an impressive display of patriotism and love take place in McAdenville. The scene occurred when friends and neighbors of Stan and Karen McDowell, as well as other McAdenville residents, placed hundreds and hundreds of American flags on the town's streets in what was dubbed “Operation Honoring Freedom”. The story goes back to April, 2009 when the McDowell's first moved to 203 Wesleyan Dr. in McAdenville. Tragically, just three months later, their son Mark lost his life when his F15 Strike Eagle crashed in Afghanistan. “Our life instantly changed,” said Stan. “It was his first assignment to Afghanistan and he had been flying night missions for a little over a month. Mark graduated from the Air Force Academy. He was 26. Mark is now with our Lord and his body lies in Arlington Section 60.” see more

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G.I. Janes players Christian Linn, Autumn Michael, and Amy Beane (green uniforms) mix it up with members of the Kill Devil Derby Brigade during a recent bout. Photo courtesy Autumn Michael

Gaston County Schools “Summer Feeding” By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Start with a free, nutritious lunch, add some learning time, throw in some outdoor exercise, then stir in a healthy dose of kid camaraderie and what do you have? The Stowe Family YMCA summer feeding experience. Last week saw a group of about ten or so youngsters gather at Catawba Heights Neighborhood Park where they enjoyed a tasty luncheon, spent some time socializing, played

games, and generally whooped it up. According to Molly D'Avria, Stowe Family YMCA director of advancement, the program is part of Gaston County Schools “Summer Feeding” endeavor whereby kids can meet at selected locations countywide, and get a free bag lunch as well as structured play and learning. “We meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 11:30am at the Catawba Heights location until August

13,” D'Avria said. “This year we are also having the lunch program at Veterans Park in Mount Holly. It meets Monday through Thursday 11:3012:30.” The program is free and kids up to 18-years-old can show up and take part. “We chose the Catawba Heights and Veterans Park locations because they are close to a neighborhood and apartments and kids can walk here,” D' Avria said. see more

FEEDING

Stowe YMCA director of development Molly D'Avira talks to kids taking part in the free lunch program at Catawba Heights Park. A similar program is held each week at Veterans Photo by Alan Hodge page 2 Park in Mt. Holly.

Which Would Give You Greater Peace of Mind?

Todd Van Der Meid, MBA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

32 N. Main Street, Suite 203, Belmont 704.827.9000 | www.rhinowealth.com

*Investment advice offered through Rhino Wealth Management, a registered investment adviser.

©CommunityFirstMedia

Your current retirement plan, or having a written retirement plan prepared by a Certified Financial Planner™ professional?


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