INSIDE... Obituaries ................. 5 Police Report ............ 7 School News ............ 6 Classified Ads ........... 7 Sports ..................... 8
Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton and McAdenville
Volume 79 • Issue 44 • Wednesday, October 29, 2014
75¢
Belmont student discovers Habitat for Humanity Special to BannerNews By Ashley Hedrick A Belmont native attending school at Clemson University is discovery the rewards of volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. When Sadler Gensch volunteered to work on the annual Habitat for Humanity house-build as a freshman, he had no idea that that it would change his prospective career. “(Habitat for Humanity) is why I want to be a civil engineer,” said Gensch, “I’m seeing how things are built, the construction behind it, and with Habitat I see why we’re building. I want to keep helping people who can’t afford their own homes.” Each year, more than 500 students volunteer with Clemson’s Habitat for Humanity chapter during Homecoming week to build a house that benefits a local family. In addition to undergoing a detailed application process, the recipient pays a reduced monthly mortgage and puts in 200 “sweat equity” hours of work on his or her own and other local Habitat homes. See HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, page 2
These folks were getting set for the costume contest at Belmont’s Halloween Bash on Saturday. The event drew a large crowd of costumed creatures and characters who enjoyed a perfect fall evening of fun. Photo by Alan Hodge
Students see what jobs are like in Belmont By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
This group of Belmont Middle School students stopped by the BannerNews office during the Career Walk event. They were especially impressed by the archival bound volumes of the newspaper dating to WWII. Photo by Alan Hodge
Last week saw dozens of Belmont Middle School students visit downtown businesses where they checked out what and how folks make a living. It also allowed students to see and explore the possible careers in the community and reached out to build community relationships with Belmont Middle. In addition, it enhanced career lesson plans with real world applications and gave students a chance to learn and explore outside the classroom in a face to face environment. Dubbed “Career Walk” the outing involved the 6A and 6B Lynx Classes: Career Technical Education Classes - Exploring Career Decisions of Mrs. Elmore, Mr. Piercy and Mrs. Warren as well as the 6A and 6B Classworks of Ms. Rollins. Class chaperons included CTE teachers: Mrs. Elmore, Mr. Piercy and Mrs. Warren, Classworks teacher Deanna Rollins, guidance counselors Mrs. Little and Mrs. Moses, EC teacher Mrs. Smith, and school nurse Mrs. Dye. The field trip began around 1:35pm and returned to campus around 3pm. Chaperoned groups of 25-35 students visited five to seven businesses, each visit lasting seven to ten minutes. Groups started at opposite ends of Main Street and walked in a clockwise fashion to avoid crossing paths. See STUDENTS SEE JOBS, page 2
Election overview: Nov. 4 election looming By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Next week’s Nov. 4 general election will see a cache of candidates on the ballot. The polls will open at 6:30am and close at 7:30pm. In the U.S. Senate race, Democrat incumbent Kay Hagan will face off against N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis, a Republican. Libertarian Sean Haugh is also on the ballot in that contest. In the U.S. House of Representatives District 10 race, incumbent Republican Patrick McHenry is going up against Democrat Tate MacQueen. The post of Gaston County Sheriff has Jeffrey Bryson opposing
incumbent Alan Cloninger. Several candidates are seeking a spot on the Gaston County School Board. The at-large seat has Jerry Bostic, Dorothy Cherry, Mervin Huffman and Rebecca Schwindeman looking for a win. Dallas Township has Kaye Gribble and Catherine Bailey Roberts on the school board ballot. Gastonia Township is a race between Leroy Dedmon, Mark Stephens, and Daniel Ware. Kevin Collier is running unopposed in Riverbend Township. South Point Township has Chris Howell, Wil Neumann, and Rae Pritchard on the ballot
for that school board opening. Other candidates who are running unopposed include: Kathy Harrington, NC Senate District 43; David Curtis, NC Senate District 44; JohnTorbett, NC House District 108; Dana Bumgardner, NC House District 109; Kelly Hastings, NC House District 110; Locke Bell, District Attorney 27A; Tracy Philbeck, Board of Commissioners Dallas Township; Tom Keiger, Board of Commissioners Gastonia Township; Chad Brown, Board of Commissioners Riverbend Township; and Larry Brown, Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court. In another local issue, the Town of Ranlo will be deciding whether or not to permit “off premises” sale of malt beverages and unfortified wine. The town See ELECTIONS, page 2
Get ready for the 2nd annual “topless” parade in Belmont on Nov. 1. The event will raise money for local cancer patients. This shot shows organizer Denise Price Thomas in her topless car. Contributed Photo
Topless parade coming to Belmont By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
A topless parade is coming to downtown Belmont. But put the brakes on your imagination and check out the facts. The parade is actually a benefit cool convertible car and bike rally to help Gaston County cancer patients. It’s planned for Saturday, Nov. 1 starting at 2pm at Stowe Manor, 217 S. Central Ave. From there,
participants will drive or ride their rigs, top down in the case of the cars, through downtown Belmont. Registration for participants will begin at 1pm just prior to takeoff. Denise Price Thomas came up with the idea for the topless parade in a dream last year. “I awoke to begin planning,” she said. See TOPLESS PARADE, page 2
Spread Some Natural Beauty. Mulch
Topsoil
Decorative Stone
www.laniermaterialsales.com 105 Hillandale Lane, Mt. Holly NC 28120 • (704)827-7055