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Gaston County’s

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Thursday, December 22, 2016

Merry Christmas from the staff of Community First Media

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Volume 82 • Issue 51

REE! F News From a Neighbor • Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley

Thursday, December 22, 2016

South Point state champs defeat Rocky Mount 16-7

By John Wilson john.bannernews@gmail.com

It would all come down to one game.

Last Saturday the South Point Red Raiders were at Wake Forest University to take care of some unfinished business. South Point was about to take the field to take on the Rocky Mount Gryphons for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 3A football championship.

As the Red Raiders lined up for the opening kickoff at BB&T Field they were determined to win. But winning would not be easy. Rocky Mount was the defending state champs. A reality not lost on the Red Raiders. Last year, Rocky Mount beat South Point in a heartbreaking 24-21 overtime tear jerker.

Just before kickoff the thought had to run through the players' minds, Wow, we are in the championship game! Even among the Raider Nation faithful some just had to wonder, How the heck did we get here?

South Point's path to greatness is a story that many in the Belmont area will talk about for years. But like every good story things were bad before they got better. Only a few short months ago almost no one thought South Point would be playing for all the marbles.

Going into this year South Point was looking at a host of shortcomings. The 2016 squad was inexperienced and green. They lacked depth and were looking for an identity. Add to that the fact that South Point lost a host of starters to graduation. By all accounts 2016 would be a hard year for the Red Raiders.

South Point High won the NCHSAA state 3A football championship by beating Rocky Mount 16-7 last Saturday in Wake Forest.

See SOUTH POINT page 10 The team is seen celebrating their glorious victory.

Photo by Calvin Craig/Superraiders.com

Mt. Holly’s Dr. Lee Beatty named New gym in Stanley NC Family Physician of the Year dedication Dec. 29

By Alan Hodge

By Alan Hodge

alan.bannernews@gamail.com

Alan.bannernews@gmail..com

If famed artist Norman Rockwell were still living he would probably love to paint a picture of Mt. Holly’s Dr. Lee Beatty attending one of his patients in his affable and caring manner and in the background would be an image of the award Beatty recently received naming him NC Family Physician of the Year 2016.

The award came from the 3,800 member NC Academy of Family Physicians, the state’s largest specialty medical association.

“I was shocked, honored, and completely surprised,” Beatty said.

But he shouldn't have been. Beatty’s credentials are wide and deep. He graduated from Duke University magna cum laude with a B.S. in Zoology. He graduated from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He served his internship and residency in Family Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. In 1981 he co-founded South Point Family Practice in Belmont with Dr. David Locklear where he practiced for ten years. In 1991 he embarked on a six year stint teaching residents and medical students at Carolinas Medical Center. In 1996 He was awarded the David Citron Lectureship for distinguished scholarship and teaching by the UNC-Chapel Hill Family Medicine faculty. In addition, Mt. Holly's Dr. Lee Beatty was recently named NC Family PhysiBeatty has authored four medical textbook chapters and co- cian of the Year. He's seen here with the magnificent trophy that went with the honor.

Photo by Alan Hodge See DR. LEE BEATTY page 4

After months of work the new Tug Deason Gym in Stanley at Harper Park on Blacksnake Rd. will be offcially dedicated Thursday, Dec. 29 at 4pm. The public is invited to attend.

Ground was broken for the 8,000 sq. ft. structure last January.

The gym that's being replaced is over 60 years old. It's called the Kiser Center and is located on East Church St. That structure was a “New Deal” project from WWII days.

See GYM page 4

Stanley Parks and Recreation director Tug Deason (left) and construction boss Scott Parker were seen this summer admiring the new gym as it was being built at Harper Park.

Photo by Alan Hodge

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Thursday, December 22, 2016

Memories

Letter To The Editor: My dog writes the family Christmas letter

Some Good News

In this holiday season when we give thanks for so much, we would like to thank the Gaston County Community for the hard work that has taken place this past year in terms of building relationships. The Gaston Clergy and Citizens’ Coalition (GC3), an initiative of Gaston Together, spent the better part of the last year working on building relationships between white and black clergy members. And, together, we engaged the Gaston County Law Enforcement Community and collaboratively established a covenant.

This was not easy work. Working with people who have strong beliefs is sometimes challenging. However, GC3 and Gaston County Law Enforcement found willing allies in their work together. We, the members of the Executive Team of GC3, simply wanted to take a moment to thank Sheriff Alan Cloninger, Gaston County Police Chief Joe Ramey, Gastonia Police Chief Rob Helton, and their respective departments for their willingness to work with us. All willingly meet with us monthly and have represented all the municipalities and the other police departments in Gaston County.

We hope that we are modeling how people can work together. We are reminded that despite the issues we face in this community, we are blessed to have incredible public servants who put their lives on the line to serve and protect us.

The Covenant that we all signed on March 17th, 2016, can be obtained by contacting Donna Lockett at Gaston Together, who guides the work of GC3. The Covenant is the foundation upon which we hope to be leaders in keeping issues small and allowing for honest and open dialogue.

We acknowledge that we have a long way to go in terms of establishing equality. We also acknowledge that this community is blessed with people who desire the best for our entire community. So, in this season when we count our blessings, GC3 thanks the Gaston Law Enforcement Community for being willing to spend so much time doing so much work with us! We are privileged to be in deep dialogue with our Law Enforcement Community and look forward to a new year of working together.

For years, my wife and I sent Christmas cards to friends and family. We received cards from others. A few wrote Christmas letters.

One person talked about his colonosTony Marciano copy. I may love you but I don’t want to hear about that. In fact, don’t even tell me that when you call or come to visit me.

I don’t want to hear that.

Two years after Rocky, our family Pomeranian joined our family, I decided to write the family Christmas letter. It would not be a brag sheet. It would be funny. It would tell the stories of the Marciano family from the perspective of the family dog.

The idea was that somehow, he was given the gift of writing the letter and we printed it. I would also stretch the truth to make it funny. Here is an example of a letter from a few years ago: This past summer, they found a four-foot black snake on the back porch. Let me tell you, it was not a black snake; it was a 24-

foot Anaconda who made its way into the yard while I was on the leash. He grabbed me and threw me around. I found myself lying on my back. There he was, hovering over me, fangs dripping of venom, waiting to end my life. He tilted his neck back, ready to inject his poison into my furry body. I flash backed to my birth at the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm. Just when I thought it was all over, I saw, what was the most beautiful vision of my life. It was something between the Terminator and Rambo, but it had gray poofie hair. She was short and was wearing camouflage makeup. With a cast iron frying pan in one hand (after all, what else do Old Italian ladies use to defend the family pet) she smashed that serpent and sent it flying into a tree. As he was hanging there dazed, she took the meat cleaver from her other hand (I don’t want to know what she did with that thing in her younger days), and chopped off its head. My hero.

(The person with gray poofie hair was my mother).

The first year we wrote the letter, we gave out copies to friends at church. One person came up to my wife and said, “You wrote a really funny Christmas letter. Great job.” My wife looked at him very confused

Walking in His Light Christmas lists this Christmas Season…. change with age

I found myself reflecting the other day about Christmas. It had nothing to do with shopping malls, hurried crowds, or spending money. It was about the three wise men that looked up and saw a bright light “The Star of Bethlehem”. It was that bright light that began a most beautiful and special celebration with the birth of Jesus. I also found myself asking this question... “How do I walk in the light of this world”?

There are many ways we can shine our own light for others. Every time you smile at someone, or do a good deed for them. By taking the time to help someone in need, or share God’s Word with another. When Sincerely, you reach out to someone who is suffering with a pain or sorrow, by GC3 Executive Team: Rev. Dr. Richard Boyce, Rev. David these actions, we are shining our light. What we perceive to be ‘small Christy, Rev. Franklin Clark, Jennifer Davis, Rev. David Drys- lights’ can actually become a bigger light. You don’t have to spend dale, Rev. Dr. Darial Jackson and William Manning money or worry about not giving the perfect gift to someone. By walking in His light this Christmas season, your beam of love can go far.

Phone The Lord was born into the world in a time of darkness. He came to 704-825-0580 be a source of light. As Simeon said when he saw the Lord as a Baby Fax being dedicated in the Temple, “My eyes have seen Your salvation 704-825-0894 which You have prepared before the face of all people, a light to bring Office: revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 128-C N Main St. 2:30-32, emphasis added). Later the Lord would use very similar words Belmont • NC to describe Himself and His mission, by proclaiming, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the 4,000 copies published every Thursday and available free light of life” (John 8:12). throughout the Montcross area at over 70 locations.

If we look at just two of the stories of Christmas we’ll see that this Alan Hodge - Editor Alan@cfmedia.info is literally true. Think of the shepherds “keeping watch over their flock Mayra Littman - Advertising by night” who saw “the glory of the Lord” shining all around them 704-472-7892 • Mayra@cfmedia.info when the angel appeared to them. Think about the wise men (as I did) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Greg Ledford - Advertising who journeyed through the east, and followed that famous star in the Greg@cfmedia.info IFPA ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Kathy Reynolds - Classifieds darkness. Truly the Lord did come to be a source of light in a time of 704-739-7496 darkness.

Les Wood - Distribution If you think your little light is a dim one, well perhaps as I believe, Les@cfmedia.info our little lights are magnified in the immense mirror of God’s Love.

Jason Dockery - Distribution His reflectors are our hearts, spreading the flame of kindness to one Banner News publisher and its advertisers a publication of are not responsible or liable for misprints, another. By shining your light on others, not only during Christmas typographical errors, misinformation herein contained. time, but all year long, can warm your heart as well. Let your light We reserve the right to edit, reject or accept any articles, advertisements, or incontinue to shine. formation to be printed in this publication.

We will provide ad proofs for pre-paid ads or For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that are placed by established clients.

FIRST MEDIA, INC ads that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting No proofs may leave our premises without “Creating Business For People” payment and permission and are copyright life. (John 3:16) This Christmas season; let us go out into the world to

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CANCELLATION OR CORRECTION DEADLINE: The cancellation deadline is the same as the order deadline because much of our cost is involved in the production of the ad itself. If you have to cancel an ad after deadline, it If everyone would light just one little candle (heart), what a bright may be necessary to charge for the time and materials we’ve already spent on preparing the ad. Display & Classified World this would be.

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and said, “I didn’t write it; Tony did.” The response was, “Tony couldn’t have written it; he’s too serious.”

Somehow I had been labeled. We knew each other or should I say we knew of each other. We greeted each other but never really talked. He decided I was a very serious person, incapable of anything that was funny. He really didn’t know me.

The same can be said of God. What is He really like? Tell me about His personality? How does He interact with us? What does He want for us?

Just like the guy in church who thought he knew me, he didn’t. Can we do the same with God. There is a Scripture verse that says, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” What is God like? Look at Jesus.

Read the Gospels. Watch how He talks to people, interacts with them. Perhaps as you start this new year, you will do a red letter Bible study. By that I mean that some publishers print the words Jesus’ spoke in red letters. Choose one of the four gospels and do a “red letter” study. Find out who He is, not who you think He is. As you get to know Jesus, you’ll get to know the Father.

Merry Christmas to you, Lisa Harper

By Glenn Mollette

I was saddened when I saw the report of a group of little children hiding in a basement in Aleppo, Syria. Sadly this is where most of Aleppo's remaining children are located. They are holding on to life, hopefully another day.

Many of us grew up loving the Santa Claus story and honestly I'm still holding on just a little bit. I don't have a big list for him. However, most of what I'm hoping for is really out of Santa's league.

Santa Claus is good for fun and games. I asked Santa for some games when I was a kid and received a Password game and a game called Mystic Skull. Those were fun games. I also asked Santa for a plastic bowling ball set. I got up on Christmas morning very early and it wasn't under the tree. My mother went to the hall closet and pulled out this big box and said, "Santa told me to put it in here until you got up from bed." I accepted that story as only a six or seven year old would do."

Christmas lists change with age. What I hoped for at five became very different throughout the years. I had wish lists pertaining to career, children and other aspirations. Today I'm so very happy to simply enjoy health, trips to the grocery store and a warm house. Amazingly what makes me happy today is far more complicated than when I was preparing my toy lists for Santa.

I once asked for a $29 white electric guitar for Christmas.

My hard working coalmining daddy and mom were able to buy that for me. I was so happy. It seemed like I had just gotten everything in the world for Christmas. A few days later one of my relatives was visiting in our home and he was admiring my white electric guitar. He didn't make a lot of money but admired my gift and later commented that it was hard to buy many Christmas gifts on $20 a week. I felt a little bad about my beautiful guitar and sad for him. This was back in the day when decent money was $125 a week. Looking back I can now see more clearly that his perspective was that of a struggling adult.

I enjoyed that feel of being a little child. I didn't worry about healthcare. I didn't worry about having food to eat or paying all the bills. I didn't worry about sickness or life's longevity. I was free to enjoy the child's perspective of Christmas. Today as adults we are hammered with the harsh realities of life. We deal with the daily grind of life that includes all the pains of having enough money and enough health to enjoy Christmas.

We have other family members who we agonize with and relate to in their struggles.

See more MOLETTE page 4

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Thursday, December 22, 2016

Page 3

Christmas Memories Linford Mill Village 1944 Abraham Lincoln once said, “Traditions are the mystic cords of memory that bind us together as a people.”

The sweetest sound on Earth and in Heaven is the sound of a young boy's laughter.

Waking up that morning, so long ago now, near Christmas, mom said that we were going to travel to Charlotte to see the Christmas lights that evening. Dad, Mom ,little brother and I caught the P&N streetcar from the North Belmont Junction on that day in 1944 , with signs of Christmas from every house along the way , the sun , a baleful orange ball was sinking on the western horizon as we approached the station in Charlotte. The window displays along trade street and Tryon streets were enchanting, especially the Belk’s and Ivey’s Department stores with their Santa and electric train wonderland displays.

Next morning, I put on my heavy brown winter’s coat and started out on my mile trek to the school(we all walked to school at that time) which led me over the Piedmont and Northern Railroad tracks where I played a game of seeing how far I could walk on the track before losing my balance and then through some dense woods behind the Perfection Mill Village . Being on a hill in North Belmont, the school was surrounded by five cotton mill villages: the Stowe Spinning, the old Acme, the new Acme, the Perfection, and the Linford.

I was in the first grade. There were no preschool classes at that time. There was one building for students in the elementary school, another for primary students. It was that fall that I witnessed boys kicking a ball around the athletic field just across the road from my classroom.

They called it football. I saw my first Christmas program from the balcony of the elementary school auditorium.

That particular day in 1944 went by like most days did, but much to my joy and surprise, we were to have a ‘Christmas party’ around two o’clock. It was the final day of school before we were to take several days off for Christmas. The school calendar ran from the first day of September until the last day of May with two days off for Christmas. Teachers at the North Belmont Elementary School at that time were: Miss Warren, the O'Daniel sisters who grew up in North Belmont, Mrs. Lowe, Mrs. Clemmer, Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Crumpler, Mrs. Downs, Miss Springs, and Hazel Hill. Mr. Haney was the school Principal.

Miss Warren, my beautiful first grade teacher, read us a poem relating to Christmas; afterwards we sang “up on the Housetop’’ and “ Silent Night, Holy Night’’. She gave us a napkin with Christmas colors on it, two cookies, a cup of milk, then she gave us something I really got excited about.

I called it a ‘play pretty’; it was a colorful little tin toy top which would spin on the floor when pushed down. I could not wait to take it home and show it to Mom. I had never had such a marvelous and wonderful toy.

About time to leave that afternoon, I stuck the “the play toy into my coat pocket which was hanging in the cloak room, gathered my books and started on the long

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walk home after the dismissal bell rang.

Looking westward the sun was casting pale shadows upon the ground; milky white clouds had closed out the sky. Cold air was blowing large snow flakes. I reached down into my coat pocket and felt for the toy top; it was not in the pocket. I retraced my steps back to the school yard; the top was not to be found and I became very upset.

It began to spit snow out of a cold gray sky; hearing the sound of a cow bell in the distance as I crossed the steep banks above the railroad tracks, I began to feel a little better.

When we arrived at the little white framed house which was in the front row of houses lining the Linford Mill Village , I discovered that Mom had had crossed the creek, went into the woods and cut a small cedar tree which was placed on a table by the window. The house was decorated with lots of ivy, holly, rosemary and pine.

She cut colorful streamers from the Sears and Roebuck Catalog and placed them around the tree. Mom took cotton and yarn and made a rag doll angel and placed it upon the top of the tree. Cotton from the comber bins at the mill was placed around the tree bottom. A candle was placed in the window. She sang ‘I wander as I wander’ and ‘I saw three Ships sailing on Christmas Day in the Morning’ as she went about her chores. Mom sang the carols and hymns that brightened a dark winter’s day. Since Thanksgiving she had been baking beautiful and delicious cakes for our Christmas which was placed on a shelf high on the kitchen wall. Visions of beautiful things and marvelous miracles filled my thoughts as I finally drifted off to sleep. Maybe a Red Ryder Air Rifle or a Babe Ruth bat, a Red Flyer wagon or a authentic Roy Rogers Cowboy Suit would await me at daybreak; we always looked forward to peppermint sticks, apples, and oranges and assorted nuts. The real treat, however, was a toy of some sort.

Christmas Day arrived in 1944.The year of the Christmas snow. I remember it well because a young, impressionable boy tends to remember. A new snow had fallen outside the little white-framed house that sat perched on a small knoll in the foothills of Gaston County. The roosters crowed as light began to spread across the white landscape. The pine trees were bent over with snow. It was a snowy mantel for a far piece and the only thing not white was the brick chimney of a house across the way. Stockings were hung from the mantel filled with candy, apples and an orange. A Brazil nut was wedge in the toe.

As Mom began to prepare dinner, she spread the table with potato salad, sliced ham which was our gift from the mill company, corn, peas, biscuits and a variety of cakes seasoned with sorghum.

After dinner Uncle Bob Parker came by and played his old, wooden fiddle. Uncle John Parker came by to talk to Dad, and Grandpa Parker came, his 1938 Dodge loaded with gifts. We sang songs and told stories ‘till bedtime.

All the children on the village filed out of doors that day to play with each other's toys.

I had almost forgotten that far away December day when Dad, Mom, and little Brother were at home living on the Linford Mill Village. Although they are all gone now, it was the recounting of childhood memories of living on the Linford Mill Village in North Belmont that brought back those days of childhood in their misty vividness of memory; it was the reaching 318 South Washington St. • Shelby, NC for boyhood memories that brought back a life on the mill village from years ago.

• DonGibsonTheatre.com My wish for you is that the miracle, peace joy and love of Christmas remain with you during the coming year.

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Saturday, Jan. 21

TRAVIS TRITT Friday, Feb., 3rd

Living Our Cause Stars - Staff from each YMCA nominated their peers to win the Living Our Cause Star Award. This is awarded to one person at each Gaston County FamilyYMCA who embody the characteristics of Nurturing, Genuine, Hopeful, Determined, and Welcoming.

Left to right - Michelle Hoffman, Pharr Family YMCA, Crystal Mills, Central YMCA, Megan Mason, South Gaston YMCA, Sandy Homesley, Cherryville Family YMCA, and Megan Howes, Stowe Family YMCA. Molly D’Avria photos

Natalie Tindol accepted her 25 year YMCA service award for her years of service teaching group exercise classes at the Central YMCA. Pictured left to right - Steve D’Avria, Natalie Tindol, Susan Mosk, and Sharon Padgett.

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B OB ’ S C AROLINA W EATHER December 22

High 58 Low 35

December 24

December 23

High 52 Low 30

High 54 Low 30

December 25

Christmas Day High 59 - Low 38

December 26

Thursday, December 22, 2016

December 27

High 65 Low 45

December 28

High 59 Low 39

High 63 Low 43

A Warm Christmas, not white! Remember how balmy last December was? This Christmas will be making a run toward that as a strong Bermuda type ridge covers the entire Southeast states just in time for Christmas Day and the day after. So hold on to your snow sleds and whatever Winter gear Santa brings you for use later on. More rain arrives later next week as the pattern swings back and forth. Have a Merry Christmas!

DR. LEE BEATTY

From page 1

authored several medical journal articles.

Beatty’s life encompasses more than professional accolades. He is Mt. Holly born and bred with deep roots in the community. He opened his current practice, Riverbend Family Practice, in 1997 in a former downtown Mt. Holly A&P grocery. His office on S. Main St. is just a hundred yards from the house he grew up in. As a youth he worked in the filling station his father owned nearby. Beatty says that two Mt. Holly family doctors he knew as a child influenced his decision to enter the medical field.

“Dr. Richard Rankin and Dr. B.D. Moore were really nice guys and good people who knew everyone in town,” Beatty said. “I knew I wanted to be a hometown doc like them.”

Beatty’s involvement in Mt. Holly civic affairs has earned him a place among the town’s most influential and dynamic leaders. In 2003 he was named Mt. Holly Man of the Year.

He was founding chair of the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation that led to a $5 million bond referendum to revitalize Mount Holly and create a greenway connecting downtown to the Catawba River. He has also served as team physician for South Point High School (1985 to 2000) and East Gaston High (2000-2012). He was chair of the MHCDF Downtown Revitalization and Historic District Committee. He was a founding committee member of the Mt. Holly Sports Hall of Fame. He was co-author of the informative and educational 2011 book “Mt. Holly: Images of America by Arcadia Publishing.

Beatty is an eclectic energetic bundle of other activity. He enjoys hiking, guitar playing, and song writing. He and his wife Kristen have been married 41 years. They have two grown children, Dr. Allison Beatty, a pharmacist, and Mark Beatty who is an exercise science director at NC State.

Day in and day out finds Beatty in his office doing what he loves and feels called to do for his hometown and homefolks.

“Mt. Holly is such a fabulous place and my patients are incredibly loyal,” he said.

GYM

From page 1

“Time took over the old gym,” said Stanley Parks and Recreation director Tug Deason for whom the new facility is named.

The new gym will be of metal and brick veneer construction. It measures 110'x90' and boasts restrooms, a concession stand, an office, and a nice basketball court.

The gym will also be available for other city-related events but not private ones.

Deason oversaw the project and was in charge of hiring contractors.

The gym cost around $450,000. Financing was by a 10-year bank loan with Park Sterling Bank and paid for by fundraisers similar to the ones

that provided the money for Harper Park. The park itself is on 17 acres and cost about $1 million to build. Around half the cost was covered by a state grant, but fundraisersincluding peanut sales and a $110,000 gift from Ron and Katherine Harper- made up the rest.

Since it was completed a couple of years ago, Harper Park has been one of Stanley's biggest hits and hosted the Dixie Youth Baseball Tournament. In addition to the two baseball/softball fields, other amenities at Harper Park include a splashpad, playground, pet walking trail, nature trail, paved walking track, and basketball/volleyball courts.

Email: carolinaweather @yahoo.com

James Buie Scholarship announced Belmont Abbey College, the Gaston County Police Department and Gaston County Schools have announced the James Buie Scholarship Program which provides a full scholarship for selected students in pursuit of a Criminal Justice degree at Belmont Abbey College. Upon completion of their degree and qualifications of the Gaston County Police Department, the agency will offer these students full-time employment with the department for a period of not less than five years.

“I was thrilled when Chief Ramey approached me with his vision of the scholarship program, and am certain the young people and citizens of Gaston County will benefit tremendously as a result of his leadership” said Dr. Julie Beeman, Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice at Belmont Abbey College.

Dr. Beeman will be the primary academic advisor for the scholarship students and provide them the path to their eventual degree in Criminal

Justice and future employment with Gaston County Police Department.

The Gaston County Police Department will establish an initial fund at the College from drug asset forfeitures.

The goal of the scholarship is to increase diversity in the department with minority and female applicants receiving priority. ““We are excited to partner with Belmont Abbey College and Gaston County Schools in this program, with the emphasis on creating a more diverse police department that represents the citizens of Gaston County, while honoring former Chief James Buie”, said current Gaston County Police Department Chief Joe Ramey.

The scholarship is named for Belmont Abbey College alum, James Buie ’86 who was formerly a Chief of the Gaston County Police Department and was the county’s first African-American chief.

Buie preceded current Chief Joe Ramey and served the Gaston County Police Department for 29 years.

The East Gaston Adult Day Care Center in Catawba Heights was treated to several holiday events last week. In this photo folks from the Gaston County History Museum visited dressed as Santa and a Victorian-era lady.

An elf called on the East Gaston Adult Day Care Center. Pictured are Vicky Walker, Minnie Pinkney, Sarah Garrett From page 2 (the elf) and Edna We also have national concerns. We are blessed in America Lockard. where so much of what we enjoy is almost a miracle every day. With all that we see and hear about in Syria and so many other troubled places in the world surely to just sleep and live in peace has to mean Photos by everything to all of us. I think this is something we grow into in Melinda Silvers America. The news tonight about little children hiding in a basement in Aleppo fearing for their lives was heartbreaking. They hold onto hope of their lives being spared and maybe a better day. However, a night of peace and rest is almost inconceivable to them.

Whatever you have this Christmas in America cherish and respect it. Thank God for everything you have. The perspective of everything we have changes throughout life from a five year old child to someone barely holding on to life in a nursing home or a family huddled together in a basement in Aleppo.

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Thursday, December 22, 2016

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Page 5

Stanley Christmas parade 2016 Photos courtesy of Bill Ward and Gaston County Schools

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Thursday, December 22, 2016

Banner News Fellowship & Faith

Church Directory Cramer Memorial United Methodist Church

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 110 S. Main St. 704-827-4751

Macedonia Baptist Church

N. Main St. • Cramerton • NC

1951 Stanley Lucia Rd. 704-827-9224

Morningside Missionary Church

406 Scott St. 704-827-8201

Mt. Sinai Baptist Church 339 S. Hawthorne St. 704-827-4320

Will of God Church 513 Woodlawn Ave. 704-827-5185

208 South Main Street 704-825-3216

Brotherhood/Sisterhood WNCC UMC 120 Park Street 704-825-1333

Catawba Heights Baptist Church 311 Belmont Road 704-827-8474

Crossroads Wesleyan Church 101 Beaty Rd. 704-827-8381

Centerview Baptist Church 2300 Acme Road 704-827-2061

East Belmont Baptist Church 501 Catawba Street 704-825-5780

East Belmont Church Of God 320 E. Catawba Street 704- 825-8845

East Belmont Free Will Baptist

Henry’s Chapel Ame Zion Church 151 Henry Chapel Rd 704-825-0711

Holy Comforter Lutheran Church 216 N. Main St. 704-825-2483

Hood Memorial Ame Zion Church 455 Sacco St. 704-825-6007

Loves Chapel Presbyterian Church 204 Lincoln St. 704-825-8342

Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter 216 N. Main St. 704-825-2483

Message of Love Church 306 Pearl Beaty Dr. 704-827-6500

Mount Moriah Baptist Church

Bethel Baptist Church NC Highway 273 704-827-9846

Burge Memorial Methodist Church 312 W. Glendale Ave. 704-827-2726

Catawba Heights Church of God 122 Tomberlin Rd. 704-827-4225

CBC-Memorial Apostolic 230 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-827-0968

Chapel Baptist Church 324 N. Lee St. 704-827-5526

Community Christian Fellowship

909 Edgemont Ave 704-825-5346

110 Lincoln St. 704-825-2046

East Belmont Presbyterian Church

Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist

Core Church

901 Catawba Street 704-825-8822

212 South Street 704-825-7269

707 Westland Farm Rd. 704-822-8033

Ebenezer United Methodist Church

New Hope Presbyterian Church

Covenant United Methodist

120 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road 704-827-3366

4357 S. New Hope Rd. 704-824-1697

First Baptist Church

New Life Baptist Church

110 Underwood Dr. 704-820-0603

23 N. Central Avenue 704-825-3758

201 Oak Trail 704-822-6195

First Foursquare Gospel Church

New Mills Chapel Fire Baptized

8 Elizabeth Street 704-825-5811

First Presbyterian Church 102 S. Central Ave 704-825-3357

First Presbyterian-Belmont 112 S. Central Ave 704-829-0668

First United Methodist Church of Belmont 807 South Point Road 704-825-2106

Fresh Anointing Church of God 71 McAdenville Road 704-825-7283

Friendship Baptist Church 5008 S. New Hope Rd 704-825-3276

Full Gospel Church 106 School St 704-827-9621

Gaston Christian Church 5339 S. New Hope Rd 704-825-8252

Goshen Presbyterian Church Roper Street 704-827-6280

Grace Korean Ch Assembly-God 124 Georgia Belle Ave 704-829-1091

Employees of

Containers/Trailers Sales & Storage Rental

704-867-2317

104 Morning Glory Ave. 704-825-5457

North Belmont Church of God 2316 Acme Rd. 704-827-4092

O’Conner Grove Church Ame Zion 613 N. Main Street 704-825-5576

Park Street United Methodist 120 Park Street 704-825-8480

Power of the Spirit Church 118 School Street 704-827-7071

Queen Of The Apostles Catholic Church 503 N. Main Street 704-825-9600

Sanctuary of Praise Ministries 124 Georgia Belle Ave. 704-579-7823

South Point Baptist Church 124 Horsley Ave. 704-825-9516

South Point Freewill Baptist 297 Gaither Rd. 704-825-8045

South Point United Methodist 510 South Point Church Rd. 704-825-4019

2560 Stanley Lucia Rd. 704-827-5881

Family Worship Center 1013 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-827-7656

First Baptist Church-Mt. Holly 300 S. Main St. 704-827-2481

First Free Will Baptist Church 841 Noles Dr. 704-827-7461

First Presbyterian Church 133 S. Main St. 704-827-0521

First United Methodist Church 140 N. Main St. 704-827-4855

Goshen Free Will Baptist Church 1300 W. Catawba Ave. 704-827-3076

Grace Baptist Church 300 Westland Farm Rd. 704-827-8600

Hickory Grove Baptist Church 3717 Hickory Grove Rd. 704-827-3939

Jehovah’s Witnesses 1736 Kelly Rd. 704-263-0199

Lighthouse Full Gospel Church 530 N. Hawthorne St. 704-827-1442

Living Witness Ministries 541 Costner St. 704-827-0004

Lakeview Baptist Church McAdenville Baptist Church 192 Main St. 704-824-2740

McAdenville Wesleyan Church 300 E. Wesleyan Dr. 704-824-1073

CRAMERTON

New Covenant United Methodist

Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church

14514 Lucian Riverbend Hwy. 704-827-4468

151 8th Ave. 704-824-3889

New Providence Baptist Church

Cramerton Free Will Baptist

1104 Old NC 27 Hwy. 704-827-0822

416 Woodlawn Ave. 704-824-1745

New Saint Paul Holiness Church

Cramer Memorial United Methodist Church

1529 Old Hwy. 27 Rd. 704-827-5851

North Main Baptist Church

MT. HOLLY

1101 N. Main St. 704-824-4261

143 Church St. 704-824-5380

Mt. Holly Pentecostal Holiness

6014 S. New Hope Rd 704-825-7959

Woodlawn Baptist Church

Mt. Holly Church of God

Hickory Grove Rd. 704-827-2013

Grace Wesleyan Church

1800 Spencer Mountain Rd. 704-824-5250

McADENVILLE

Mt. Holly Noles Baptist Church

Alexander Memorial Baptist Church

Restoration Church

711 Morningside Dr. 704-822-9142 208 Rankin Ave. 704-827-8596

BELMONT

For information on getting your business listed here call 704-825-0580

1304 N. Main St. 704-827-6141

Restoration & Deliverance 804 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-820-0954 Revival Tabernacle of Mt. Holly 826 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-827-2999

Ridgeview Baptist Church 105 Pine Rd. 704-827-3856

Second Baptist Church 740 Rankin Ave. 704-827-5181

Shiloh AME Zion Methodist 1117 Old NC Hwy 27 704-827-8826

Springfield Freewill Baptist 220 Park Terrace Dr. 704-820-0193

St. Anthony of Padua Traditional Catholic Church 108 Horseshoe Bend Beach Rd. 704-827-8676

St. Paul FHB Church 1529 Old Hwy 27 Rd. 704-827-5851

Tuckaseegee Baptist Church 511 Tuckaseegee Rd. 704-827-4301

Way of the Cross Baptist Church 238 Lanier Ave. 704-827-8111

Wesley Chapel Holiness Church 324 N. Lee St. 704-827-1993

Westview Presbyterian Church 1020 W. Catawba Ave. 704-827-2026

LOWELL

154 N. Main St. 704-824-3831

Cramerton Temple of God Church East Wilkinson Blvd.

704-824-5319

First Baptist Church 235 8th Ave. 704-824-1991

Life Church 501 Cramer Mountain Rd. 704-824-4286

Riverside Baptist Church 171 S. Main St. 704-824-7785

West Cramerton United Methodist Church 207 Lowell Ave. 704-824-4213

STANLEY Amazing Grace Baptist Church 7280 Sifford Rd. 704-827-6277

Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran 203 S. Main St. 704-263-2621

Community Pentecostal Center 320 Ralph Handsel Blvd.

704-263-8731

First United Methodist Church 217 N. Main St. 704-263-2691

First Presbyterian Church 512 Old Mount Holly Rd. 704-263-4275

Gold Hill Missionary Baptist Church 7447 Old Plank Rd. 704-827-7966

New Faith Baptist Church 1224 Mayberry Rd. 704-263-0249

New Life Baptist Church

Bethlehem Church

527 N. Buckoak St. 704-263-4647

3100 Bethlehem Church St. 704-823-5050

Stanley Church of God

Carolina Community Baptist

324 N. Main St. 704-263-4041

604 Martha Ave 704-824-2872

Stanley Pentecostal Holiness Church

Center Baptist Church

113 E. Parkwood St. 704-263-2131

S. New Hope Rd. 704-824-4121

Trinity Full Gospel Church

Epic Church

303 Sunset Dr. 704-263-9765

100 Indian Walk 704-671-4652

United In Action of Stanley

Lowell Church of God

5481 Hickory Grove Rd. 704-524-0555

804 W. First Street 704-824-3383

Lowell Free Will Baptist Church 3010 Lowell Rd. 704-824-9389

Springwood Freewill Baptist

Lowell Smyre United Methodist Church

220 Park Terrace Dr. 704-827-7801

201 N. Main St. 704-824-8814

St. Marks United Methodist Church

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

701 Secrest Ave. 704-825-8175

120 Branch St. 704-824-4535

Stowe Memorial Baptist Church

First Baptist Church of Lowell

26 Kee Rd. 704-825-5987

400 W. 1st St. 704-824-1215

The Pointe

First Baptist Church

6700 Wilkinson Blvd 704-825-1709

317 W. 1st St. 704-824-1213

Unity Baptist Church

New Life Church

1005 Catawba St. 704-825-8730

128 Robbins St. 704-824-1356

Upper Room United Pentecostal

Presbyterian Church of Lowell

1405 Armstrong Ford Rd. 704-825-0604

207 E. 1st St. 704-824-3807

Don’t see your church listed?

Email us today at alan@cfmedia.info

The Banner News / banner-news.com

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Page 7

Banner-News Obituaries

Meditations

Allow space for joy Christmas is the season of joyful cheer. We hear the laughter of families as they gather their Christmas decorations from the year long hiding places. The malls are filled with bustling shoppers and the lines at the Santa station are endless. But, not everyone is bright and cheerful this time of the season. I think about individuals who live with Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). S.A.D. is a form of depression that occurs as the daylight hours grows shorter typically during the fall and winter seasons. Doctors often recommend various treatments such as light therapy or lifestyle changes that help decrease the symptoms.

I also hold in my prayers individuals who are experiencing an empty seat around the dinner table this year.

My family will gather this year experiencing our empty seat. My brother Dean passed away in May of this year.

We could always count on jokes and laughter when my brother was present. He had a way of finding out what could "push your buttons."

We would spend the entire day joking and laughing till our stomach muscles were sore. Unless, of course, you were the brunt of his jokes.

Yes, this season for some of us will include sadness. So, how do we deal with our grief during the Christmas season?

We begin by acknowledging that we are grieving. When we love deeply, we also grieve deeply. Do not feel ashamed when the tears start

Dr. Bruce Thomas Smith

Rev. Angela Pleasants District Superintendent of Catawba Valley Methodist Churches to flow. That is part of the grieving and healing process.

During this season celebrate the life of our loved ones. It is a time to share with family and friends what that person brought to our life and give thanks to God for the time we spent with them.

Also, understand that people grieve differently and honor their space and time during this season. But, while we grieve, also allow space for joy to spring forth. As followers of Jesus Christ, we can rejoice because we know that in the midst of death is life. In our death, there is a resurrection. Therefore, we can rejoice in knowing that one day there will be a uniting with our loved ones again. God will replace our mourning clothes with garments of praise. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Psalm 30:5b NKJV.

Pictured, Gaston County Toys for Tots coordinator Bill Starr (far right) receives this charitable gift from Wilbert on behalf of Executive Administrator Nicole Flowers (left) and Cecile Collins, Payroll and Human Resources (center).

Toys for Tots photo Four years ago, Wilbert Plastic Services in Belmont began its work with Gaston County’s Toys for Tots program as one of its selected charities during the holiday season. Each year, just as the program has grown across the region, it has also grown at Wilbert with increased participation among employees. A significant donation was again provided to the Gaston chapter of the United States Marines Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program on Monday, Dec. 12 from the Belmont manufacturer.

Since Toys for Tots’ inception in 1947, the nationwide annual giving program has distributed more than 512 million toys to over 237 million less fortunate children, including local boys and girls across our region. The Gaston County Toys for Tots drive moves into its fifth year serving families across the area this holiday season. Wilbert Plastic Services proudly contributes to this organization for a fourth consecutive year and looks forward to continued work with this agency during many Christmases to come.

San Francisoco, CA. - Dr. Bruce Thomas Smith, 64, of San Francisco and formerly of Mt. Holly passed away on November 11, 2016 after a long battle with cancer at the Coming Home Hospice House in San Francisco. Bruce was born March 4, 1952 in Gaston County to Frances Smith and the late Boyd Smith. Bruce was a world traveler and was a Software Engineer of Computer Science in the Mountain View area of California for 35 years. He was an active researcher of anything that interested him, made beautiful jewelry and was an avid fan of the Symphony and the Ballet. He loved his mother, often flying home to take her to special events and spend time with her. He is survived by his mother Frances Scruggs Smith of Mt. Holly and brother Capt. Brian T. Smith (Navy Ret.) and wife Lisa of Oxen Hill, Md. Online condolences may be made at www.bensonfuneralservices. com

We all have blemishes Christmas is here; many thoughts are turning to Santa, family meals, travelling, time from work and the “reason for the season;” the birth of Jesus Christ. Because of the overriding significance of Jesus’ birth most of us re-visit those important scriptures. Luke 2:1-20, offers a detailed account and while all details in scripture are there for a reason, they do raise questions.

Q.1 &2 why mention the night watch and these particular shepherds? In the

Jewish Talmud, it was common knowledge that the long awaited Jewish Savior would arrive during a midnight watch.

“First Stringer” shepherds were hand-picked for the vitally important midnight watch.

They were also chosen because these sheep were extremely valuable “without spot or wrinkle,” used for daily sacrifices in the Jewish temple.

They were entrusted to shepherds who loved the sheep and their job, but also who would be willing to lay down their

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lives for the sheep. These were not nomadic shepherds who wandered all over, these shepherds were undoubtedly from the tribe of Levi working three rotating shifts caring for these sheep and who had access to special pastures for them.

Max Lucado wrote a fictional children’s book called The Crippled Lamb that has some interesting links to this biblical account. Max’s main character is a crippled lamb.

The shepherds, preparing to move their special flock from one pasture to another, couldn’t take the crippled lamb because the trip would have been too difficult. Q3. Why did they even keep the little crippled lamb around; he couldn’t be used for temple services due to his infirmity? Maybe they kept him because they loved their sheep; all of them. Well, in Max’s story, the little lamb felt dejected and rejected; he made his way to the manger where Jesus was born and was used in a most beautiful and miraculous way.

Return now to the shepherds with their pastured flock; angels appeared with the message “there has been born to

you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Realizing the significance in relation to their Levitical duty to watch these temple sheep, they left the flock, followed the angel’s sign, and found Jesus in the manger; their Savior had arrived; substitutionary temple sacrifices were coming to an end! In Max’s story the little crippled lamb was found snuggling Jesus, keeping him warm.

Isn’t that a picture of us too?

Visually some appear perfect, but none are. We all need Jesus Christ; He is the only holy and perfect answer for mankind’s sins. Jesus is The Good Shepherd and wants us close to Him; to lead us through the valleys of tough times, shape us into His image, and show us

Dennis Siracusa our “purpose. And, as we draw close to Jesus, who alone paid the price for our sins through His earthly life and sacrifice, Jesus converts our blemished humanity into His image and through His Lordship, allows us to sit forever at The Table of Grace as heirs of God. Merry Christmas Belmont!

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Funeral & Cremation SERVICE

101 Oak Grove St. • Mt. Holly, NC 28120

704-827-1801

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Page 8

Thursday, December 22, 2016

THE SAVIOUR IS BORN

We Celebrate Christmas

Luke 1 The Birth of Jesus Foretold 26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.�

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.�

34�How will this be,� Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?�

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[c] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.�

38�I am the Lord’s servant,� Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.� Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!�

Mary’s Song 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.�

Mt. Holly Middle School SRO Officer Thomas Bell was recently named 2016 MHPD Employee of the Year. “Officer Bell is very deserving of this award because of his hard work and dedication to the Police Department, to the citizens of Mount Holly, and to the students of our middle school and elementary schools,� said Chief Don Roper. “Officer Bell was nominated for this award by the employees of the Mount Holly Police Department, which serves as a testament to our observance of his hard work and also to his role as a very valuable member of our family.�

Gaston Schools photo

Luke 2 The Birth of Jesus 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

3 And everyone went to his own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.�

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14�Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.�

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.�

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible New International Version

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Thursday, December 22, 2016

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Page 9

Tri-County Animal Rescue Pet of the Week Doobie, a small Dachshund mix, is 10 months old and weighs 12 pounds. He is a very sweet little boy that plays well with other dogs, likes to snuggle under the blankets, and loves everyone. Doobie has a special talent… showing off a beautiful grin that he likes to share often!

Dachshunds are wonderful dogs and make terrific companions, but they are not for everyone. As with all dog breeds, individual dogs have their own personalities, but there some traits that are very common throughout the breed. Many have a stubborn, independent nature. Effective training is a must for all dogs, including dachshunds.

Dachshunds love to burrow - they like to tunnel under bed covers and pillows. They McAdenville held its annual Yule Log event on December 16, 2016. Seen lighting the log love the company of other dachshunds, which are Mrs. J.M. Carstarphenwhile daughter Catherine Carstarphen and grandchildren William is why you see so many dachshund pairs. They Carstarphen and Catherine Henderson look on.

Photos by Steve Rankin like to curl up and sleep together, with their heads on each other’s backs. They are usually very physically affectionate dogs - they like to snuggle and kiss and be scratched and have their bellies rubbed.

Doobie has been neutered, current on vaccines and micro-chipped. Come meet him!

Please come out to our adoption event this weekend. If you are looking for an addition to your family, please come out and meet our pets this weekend. We have many available pets, including puppies and kittens, at the Gastonia PetSmart located at 3698 East Franklin Boulevard this Friday from 6-9 pm, Saturday noon to 6 pm and Sunday 2-5 pm.

Tri-County Animal Rescue is a non-profit organization serving Lincoln, Gaston and

other surrounding counties. We are committed to ending pet homelessness in this area and we need your continued support. If you cannot adopt a pet, then support Tri-County in other ways. We need volunteers and donations to continue our mission of finding homes for these unwanted animals. Please help TriCounty Animal Rescue continue to save pets by adopting your next pet this weekend? Our “needs” list includes: towels, Clorox, laundry detergent, paper towels, dry dog food and dry cat food.

For more information, call 704.263.2444, send an email to TriCountyAnimalRescue@ yahoo.com, visit us on the web at www.tcar. us or on FaceBook at Tri-County Animal Rescue. Donations can be sent to Tri-County Animal Rescue, PO Box 483, Alexis, NC 28006.

Fleas are no fun for pets Santa made an appearance at the McAdenville Yule Log event as these kids found out.

By Joann Hager

Fleas Can Cause Health Problems For Pets Fleas are a common problem for both cats and dogs.

Fleas are a problem all year round. Some people think they should only be concerned in the warmer months but that is not true. Pet owners should use preventative measures all year long. Fleas can run rampant in your yard and bite your pet at any time if the yard has not been treated.

As if itchy flea bites weren't annoying enough, fleas can cause many other issues for your pet. Check out these 5 health problems that The Ashbrook High band provided some musical entertainment at the McAdenville Yule Log yucky fleas can cause. festivities.

Flea allergy dermatitis (skin allergies) Most flea bites cause a little bump, but if your pet is allergic to the saliva of a flea, your pet will constantly scratch and cause swelling and welts on the skin. One of the best ways to stop your pet from being miserable with flea bites is to use a monthly Last week the Mt. Holly flea preventative.

Community Garden had a Hot spots contest where participants decorated their plots for the holidays. This was the blue ribbon winner.

Bobbie Black photo

As if extremely itchy skin isn't a problem enough, constant scratching or chewing of the skin can create hot spots on your pet's skin. Cleaning your pet with a natural antibacterial shampoo with tea tree oil will help relieve pain and itching. To reduce itching and soothe skin, try using a hydrocortisone spray.

Tapeworms If your pet accidentally swallows a flea from licking or chewing his or her skin, your pet may develop a tapeworm. Tapeworms are parasites that live in your pet's intestinal tract, and rob him or her of vital nutrients.

Watch for little tapeworm segments that look like grains of sand. Don't wait to treat pets infected with a tapeworm; try using an over-thecounter medication to get rid of tapeworms. There are different kinds available overthe-counter and you can get them from your veterinarian.

Anemia Fleas are blood-sucking parasites, which means your pet can become anemic from biting fleas. Symptoms like pale gums, lethargy and/

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year To All!

or low body temp could be a sign on anemia. Anemia is especially concerning for puppies or sickly dogs, and if it's not caught soon enough, it can lead to other medical complications and even death. To help your pet with anemia, you must stop fleas from biting your pet immediately. Also, make sure your pet is getting the right nutrients by giving him or her daily vitamins.

Bartonella infection A Bartonella infection can affect dogs, cats and even humans (usually called Cat Scratch Fever). Dogs and cats that become infected with Bartonella, are bitten by a flea that carries the parasite.

Symptoms of a Bartonella infection include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and swelling of the lymph nodes.

Therefore, you must stop fleas from biting your pet.

Depending on where you live a Bartonella infection may be less common. However, Bartonella is very dangerous and you should take your pet to a vet at the first signs of the infection.

The Banner News / banner-news.com

Page 10

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Congratulations Red Raiders SOUTH POINT From page 1 Going into 2016 the Red Raiders were also faced with other woes. It could be argued that from a technical standpoint South Point is a smaller school playing in a conference made up of bigger schools. Over the last few years South Point's enrolment numbers have gone done. That's why in 2016 the NCHSAA realigned all the conferences across the state.

So next year South Point will be moved into a strictly 2A conference along with East Gaston.

"We are a 2A team playing 3A football," Lineberger said. "We have been for the last two years. We don't have the numbers others schools have."

But the show must go on.

On opening day South Point got a big 27-12 win over Crest. After that the road got rough. The Red Raiders lost four of their next five games.

Only one of those four games, a 24-0 loss to Shelby, was a blow out. But a loss is still a loss.

In early part of the season South Point was hit with injuries. That and the lack of experience contributed to the slow start.

By the end of September many thought the Red Raiders glory days were a thing of the past. It looked like South Point was on their way to perhaps a .500 season. A mediocre season at best.

"At anytime we could have folded up," coach Lineberger said. "Could have been 5-5 or 6-5 and called it a year.

We could have been mediocre. But it didn't turn out that way.''

Coach Lineberger had a point. It would seem that a funny thing happened on the way to mediocrity. The Red Raider started to win.

"It took time to put the pieces of the puzzle together."

Lineberger stated.

Once they figured it out, the Red Raiders caught fire.

First came a solid 45-12 October win against Ashbrook.

Then came a 45-3 win against Forestview. Then another against Lake Norman. On and on, little by little South Point was silencing their critics.

Red Raider football was not dead after all.

The tough start served as a catalyst. It taught the Red Raiders humility. With the help of Lineberger and the rest of the coaching staff the players learned on the go.

The injuries forced others to step up. The team grew like kudzu on the side of a mountain. As injured players came back the squad formed a nucleus to grow on.

Then, like some kind of chain reaction the players fed

off each other. No one was looking for glory. No one wanted fame. The players played for each other and a higher power.

"Our team played for their creator and brothers," Lineberger said. "We were the definition of the word team."

Historically the Red Raiders are a run first team. But this year they added another dimension. An aerial attack.

South Point quarterback Scottie Lee is very capable.

He does a good job running the Red Raider's Redbone triple option. He is a solid runner and field general. But Lee isn't a superstar passer.

But as it turned out he didn't need to be.

As the season wore on people learned soon enough that if you didn't respect the South Point passing attack you would get torched. Lee and receivers like Nick Muse and Ray Grier developed a knack for producing big passing plays. That new found respect for the passing game freed up the running game.

South Point fullback Jake Alexander led a productive running attack. Alexander finished the season with over 1600 yards and 20 TD's.

Alexander along with Ty Tinker, Mario Brandon and Caleb Gibson gave South Point a formidable ground game.

As the regular season was coming to a close South Point showed no signs of plateauing. No signs of slowing down. The team just kept growing. The Red Raiders were combining a balanced offensive attack with a crushing defense. The combination produced blowout wins.

The chain reaction spread and grew.

One game at a time, through the rest of the regular season and on through the playoffs the Red Raider learned and grew. Each game saw South Point get better and better. South Point kept winning.

"It's a great accomplishment what this team did this year," Lineberger added.

"After losing 24 seniors and only winning one JV game last year. Only 10 seniors returning from last year. It was a testament to the hard work of the coaches and the players."

South Point fought its way past nine teams to find their way to the state championship game.

South Point had fulfilled some kind of rags to riches fairy tale.

But the story wasn't over.

There was still one more thing that needed to be done.

One more obstacle that

The Red Raiders line up against Rocky Mount.

Photos by Calvin Craig/Superraiders.com

South Point’s head coach Mickey Lineberger relished holding the championship trophy.

South Point’s Nick Farmer stiffarms a Rocky Mounty player.

Nick Farmer gains more yards against Rocky Mount.

Nick Muse #33 brings down a Rocky Mount runner.

Red Raider defenders knock the ball loose.

South Point kicker Thomas Lempereur adds to his nine point game total.

Red Raider MVP Jake Alexander moves against Rocky Mount.

needed to be overcome South Point needed to beat Rocky Mount.

As the game got underway two different narratives were unfolding.

In classic fairy tale fashion, South Point was trying to slay the mighty Gryphons. South Point wanted to win. But they also wanted some payback. For those that remembered, the 2015 loss was hard to stomach.

Rocky Mount, on the other hand had other goals.

They were bent on showing

South Point that fairy tales are for children.

South Point scored first when Thomas Lempereur nailed a 29 yard field goal in the 1st quarter.

In the closing seconds of the 2nd quarter Rocky Mount struck back. The Gryphons connected on a 25 yard pass play for a TD. The Rocky Mount PAT kick was good and both teams retreated to the locker room with Rocky Mount up 7-3.

Lempereur struck again on a 29 yard field goal to

push the Red Raiders closer.

With the score 7-6 Rocky Mount Scottie Lee tossed a quick pass to Ray Grier to put South Point ahead. Another Lempereur PAT gave South Point a 13-7 lead.

The game was proving to be somewhat of a defensive chess match. Both teams played awesome defense. Rocky Mount was able to somewhat limit the potent Red Raider offense.

South Point had 208 yards of total offense. South Point didn't exactly light it up, but

the Gryphons had their own problems.

South Point had another stellar defensive performance. All year players like Philip Davis, Nick Muse, Matthew Robinson, Nick Farmer and Tanner Canterbury had delivered. The Red Raider defense stuffed the Gryphons all day. Rocky Mount was held to only 116 yards.

Continued to page 11

The Banner News / banner-news.com

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Page 11

3A State Championship Winners

South Point Captains and Coach Lineberger accept the State 3A Championship trophy.

Jake Alexander accepts Phillip Davis accepts trophy Nick Farmer accepts trophy trophy for Most Valufor Best Defensive Player for for Best Offensive Player for able Player for the State the Red Raiders. the Red Raiders.

Championship game.

Thomas Lempereur, #87 connects on one of his three field goals out of the hold of Scottie Lee.

South Point Senior James Granson is honored in pregame ceremony for his academic achievements.

Jake Alexander breaks away from the Rocky Mount defense.

South Point Senior Max Mead returns the second half kickoff.

From page 10 South Point offense didn’t light the world on fire but Jake Alexander sure tried. Alexander finished the day with 135 yards off of 28 carries.

As the fight raged on South Point stood firm. They were not going to be denied. The team’s perseverance and hard work was paying off.

With 3:06 on the clock

Lempereur hit his 3rd field goal of the night. That kick, a 25 yarder put South Point up 16-7.

That kick and a solid finish by the South Point defense put the game away. South Point went on to finish off Rocky Mount and clinch the 3A title.

When the Red Raiders walked off that field they did South Point Fullback Jake Alexander gains so with the championship tro- yardage behind the block of Larry Dowdy #72.

South Point Red Raiders Player of the Week

JAKE ALEXANDER #24 Junior Fullback

Football

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phy held high. It was well deserved. The underdog South Point Red Raiders are the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s 3A football champions.

On paper Rocky Mount had a devastating lineup. South Point’s play showed that championships aren’t won on paper.

“We beat a fine Rocky Mount team,” Lineberger said. “They were bigger, faster and stronger. They had more athletes than we had.”

Coach Lineberger relished the win. He holds nothing back. He is proud of what this group has done.

“We ended up playing for the state championship on the state’s biggest stage.” Lineberger added.

But maybe there is another reason why Rocky Mount didn’t win?

I mean if you think about it the answer is pretty simple...

This wasn’t their fairy tale.

2016 Schedule August 19

Matthew Robinson makes a solo tackle for the sack.

Photos by Tommy Bain

Crest (Shelby NC) Location: South Point High School 24-12 Win August 26 Lincolnton (Lincolnton, NC) Location: South Point High School 25-24 (OT) Loss September 1 @ Shelby (Shelby, NC) Location: Shelby High School 24-0 Loss September 9 @ Clover (Clover, SC) Location: Clover High School 17 - 14 Loss September 23 @ East Gaston (Mt. Holly NC) Location: Arrowhead Stadium 58 - 7 Win September 30 Huss (Gastonia, NC) Location: South Point High School 21-16 Loss October 7

The Gryphon run game is stopped by #33 Nick Muse and #25 Mario Brandon.

@ Ashbrook (Gastonia NC) Location: Ashbrook High School 45-12 Win October 14 Forestview (Gastonia, NC) Location: South Point High School 45-3 Win October 21 @ Lake Norman Charter (Huntersville, NC) Location: Lake Norman Charter 48-0 Win October 28 North Gaston (Dallas, NC) Location: South Point High School 64-6 Win November 4 @ Stuart Cramer (Belmont, NC) Location: Stuart Cramer High School 63-0 Win 3 A PLAYOFFS November 18 West Henderson (Hendersonville, NC) Location: South Point

High School 59-0 Win 3A PLAYOFFS November 25 Tuscola (Waynesville NC) Location: South Point High School 45-6 Win 3A PLAYOFFS December 2 Pisgah (Canton, NC) Location: South Point High School 42-0 Win WESTERN FINALS December 9 @ Hibriten (Lenoir NC) Location: Hibriten High School 26-0 Win STATE 3A CHAMPIONSHIP December 17 Rocky Mount (Rocky Mount, NC) Location: Wake Forest University BB&T Field Winston-Salem 16 - 7 Win See more photos page 12

Page 12

The Banner News / banner-news.com

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Senior Nick Muse, #33 captures the Gryphons back for a 4 yard loss.

South Point Red Raiders take the field for the State 3A Championship game at Wake Forest University.

Photos by Tommy Bain

More scenes from the South Point Rocky Mount Championship game Scottie Lee watches the clock as the Raiders take the “victory formation�.

The Rocky Mount offense could not escape the relentless attack from the Red Raider defense.

Senior Nick Farmer outruns a Rocky Mount defender for a big gain.

South Point Senior kicker Thomas Lempereur kicks his second of three field goals on the day.

Ray Grier gets both feet down for the Red Raiders only touchdown.

Nick Farmer #9, goes high for the interception.

The Banner News / banner-news.com

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Page 13

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THE BANNER NEWS LOTTERY Numbers will be drawn each Monday Morning.

Look in next week's Banner-News for the 3 WINNING NUMBERS! Jackpot increases $50 each week until won, then a new jackpot will begin at $50.

ENTER! The Ban ner News Lottery is this simple!

Choose your favorite 3 numbers between 1 and 50 (not using the same number twice) and enter the numbers in the 3 circles below in any order.

LOTTERY RULES Absolutely one entry per household each week! No photo copies will be allowed. Any lottery entries that have the same handwriting or appear to be in conjunction with any other entry will be disqualiďŹ ed. Entries must be complete with name, household address and phone number.

No business address will be accepted. All entries must be brought by the Banner-News drop box at 128-C North Main St. in Belmont, NC or post-marked by Saturday prior to Monday's drawing. We are not responsible for entries lost or late by mail delivery. If more than one correct lottery entry is received, the jackpot will be split between the winners.

The judge's decision is ďŹ nal. Must be at least 18 years old to enter. Employees and immediate family of CF Media not eligible.

Mail to: Lottery C/O Banner News P.O. Box 589, Belmont, NC 28012 Name ________________________________ Address ______________________________ City _________________________________ State___________________ Zip __________ Phone _______________________________

The Banner News / banner-news.com

Page 14

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Holiday cookie recipes Just in time for your holiday cooking... the following recipes are favorites from the employees of Community First Media, proud publisher of Banner-News. We invite you to enjoy baking this season and hope you have a blessed and Merry Christmas wherever you may be.

grees. Drop the dough in heaping spoonfuls onto a non-stick 10x15” baking sheet, 3 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown. Cool for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely. Makes 44 cookies. Serve immediately.

SEVEN LAYER COOKIES 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 1 stick margarine 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup butterscotch chips 1 cup coconut 1 can eagle brand milk 1 cup nuts Melt 1 stick margarine in 9x13 pan.

Layer: 1cup graham cracker crumbs 1 cup coconut 1 cup chocolate chips & butterscotch chips Spread over top: 1 can Eagle Brand Milk Sprinkle with pecans.

Bake at 325 for 30 minutes.

CRESCENT COOKIES 1 cup butter softened 1/2 to 1 cup granulated sugar 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. vanilla 1 cup chopped nuts Cream butter and sugar.

Mix in vanilla and flour. Add finely chopped or ground

PEANUT BUTTER BARS 1 cup peanut butter 6 tablespoons butter 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 eggs 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips Mix peanut butter, butter or margarine, and sugars until creamy. Stir in vanilla. Beat in eggs. Mix in flour. Stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips.

Spread dough into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove pan from oven, and sprinkle with the rest of the chocolate chips. Let stand 5 minutes and spread. Cool, and cut into bars.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 eggs 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup sugar In a large bow, mix the flour, baking powder and salt.

In a separate bowl: cream the butters and sugars, then add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Stir in the vanilla extract, then gradually stir in the flour mixture until combined.

Add the chips and stir again.

For chewy cookies, refrigerate the dough for 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 de-

nuts. Chill dough thoroughly, shape & bake on ungreased sheet at 300º for 18-20 minutes (until slightly browned).

Sprinkle powdered sugar on finished cookies. Yield: approximately 2 dozen 2 inch crescents.

CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup firmly packed LIGHT brown sugar 1 large egg 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 cup rolled oats 1-1/4 cups chocolate chunks Preheat oven to 350º.

Lightly grease two large baking sheets. Combine the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large bowl.

Beat with a wooden spoon or an electric mixer (set on med. speed) until creamy.

Beat in egg & vanilla extract.

Set aside. Sift flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda into small bowl. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating continuously. Stir in rolled oats & chocolate chunks. Spoon tablespoonfuls of dough about 2” apart, onto cookie sheets. Bake until lightly brown 8-10 minutes.

Let cool before transferring.

FROSTED GINGERBREAD COOKIES 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 cup molasses 1/4 cup water 5 cups all-purpose flour 2-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/4 teaspoon salt In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and water. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt;

gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle. On a lightly floured surface, roll out to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters dipped in flour. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove to wire racks to cool.

FROSTING: 3-3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/4 cup water 1-1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract In a small bowl, combine frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Transfer to a plastic bag. Cut a small hole in a corner of the bag;pipe frosting onto cookies. Yield: about 5 dozen.

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE 5 cups sugar 1-1/2 sticks margarine 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 lg. can evaporated milk 8 oz. marshmallow cream 3- 6 oz. pkg. milk chocolate chips or 1-1/2 bag 12 oz. pkg.

18 oz. jar peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla In a 6 qt. pot melt margarine, add milk, sugar and salt.

Cook until 236 degree’s or about 20 minutes over medium heat. Remove from heat Add:

chocolate chips marshmallow cream peanut butter vanilla Pour in greased 16 x 11 x 1 inch pan ( cookie sheet ) * Note: Heat marshmallow cream and peanut butter in the microwave just before adding them. This makes it easier to get it all mixed up.

KIM’S SUGAR COOKIES 2 all purpose flour, sifted 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup margarine 1 cup sugar 1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring Sifted all dry ingredients together and sit aside.

Cream: Margarine, Egg, Sugar, Milk, and Vanilla.

After mixing well, add dry ingredients and mix slowly on slow speed until a nice dough develops. Let dough chill for a few hours for best results.

Preheat oven to 375º. Roll out on a floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters. Cook until just turning brown on the edges.

Cool on cookie rack.

PINE BARK OR BRICKLE COOKIES 35-40 (1/4 lb.) saltine crackers 1 cup butter (NOT MARGARINE) 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 tsp. almond extract 6 oz. milk chocolate chips 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional) Preheat oven to 400º.

Line 15x10x1 or 11x16x1 pan with tin foil. Lightly spray w/ cooking spray. Place saltines, salty side up in pan. In sauce pan boil over med heat: butter & sugar for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in extract. Pour mixture over saltines, spread evenly. Bake 4 to 6 minutes.

PEANUT BUTTER Remove from oven and top KISS COOKIES 1-14 oz. can sweetened con- with chocolate chips. Smooth as they melt. Sprinkle with densed milk nuts. Cool slightly and trans3/4 cup creamy peanut fer to waxed paper and allow butter to cool completely. Cut in 2 cups all-purpose squares. It will take several baking mix hours for this to cool and 1 teaspoon vanilla chocolate to set. extract *Slide foil over to wire 1/4 cup sugar rack to cool and then peel 1 13 oz. pkg. Hershey cookies off foil when they milk chocolate kisses Beat condensed milk and are cool. (They are very hot.) peanut butter at medium Place on waxed paper. speed with an electric mixer ROCKY ROAD until creamy. Add baking FUDGE mix and vanilla, beating at low speed just until blended. 12 ounce pkg. chocolate Shape dough into 1 inch chips balls; roll in sugar. Place on 1 cup butterscotch chips lightly greased baking sheets. 14 ounce sweetened Bake at 350º for 11 minutes. condensed milk Remove from oven, and im- (save the can) mediately place a chocolate 1 teaspoon vanilla extract kiss in center of each cookie. 2 cups small Remove cookies to wire racks marshmallows 2 cups unsalted dry to cool. Yield: 3 doz. roasted peanuts softened butter to grease an BUTTERY TOFFEE 8 inch round cake pan COOKIES Grease an 8-inch round 1 cup butter, softened cake pan with softened butter. *1 tsp. baking soda Cover the empty condensed 1 cup sugar milk can with plastic wrap *1/2 tsp. salt and put it in the center of 2 eggs the round cake pan. Pour the *8 oz. pkg. toffee bits chocolate and butterscotch 1 tsp. vanilla 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour chips, condensed milk and Combine butter, sugar, vanilla into a medium sauceeggs and vanilla in large pan. Cook on stovetop on low mixing bowl. Beat @ me- heat. Stir until they melt todium speed, scraping gether, about 3 minutes. Stir bowl often, until creamy. in nuts and marshmallows. *Add flour, baking soda & Scoop the fudge into the cake salt. Beat until well mixed. pan all around the plastic-covered can in the center to form Stir in toffee bits by hand. *Drop by teaspoonfuls a wreath or ring shape. Allow onto ungreased cookie sheet. it be all bumpy on top. Store Bake at 350º 10-12 minutes in refrigerator until firm. Reor until lightly browned. move the can from the center and loosen the sides and botMakes 4 dozen.

tom of the fudge with a spatula. Cut the fudge into thin slices to serve.

RASPBERRY & ALMOND SHORTBREAD THUMBPRINTS 1 cup butter, softened 2/3 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar 3/4 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon milk Preheat oven to 350º.In a medium bowl, cream together: butter and white sugar until smooth. Mix in: 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Mix in flour until dough comes together. Roll dough into 1-1/2 inch balls, and place on ungreased cookie sheets.

Make a small hole in the center of each ball, using your thumb and finger, and fill the hole with preserves.

Bake for 14 to 18 minutes in preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Let cool 1 minute on the cookie sheet.

In a medium bowl, mix together the confectioners’ sugar, 3/4 teaspoon almond extract, and milk until smooth. Drizzle lightly over warm cookies.

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES 1 cup unsalted butter 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup white sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars together in a bowl; beat in eggs.

In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir into butter mixture. Put dough in refrigerator for 1 hour.

Roll dough into 1 inch balls and put on baking sheets. Flatten each ball with a fork, making a crisscross pattern. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for about 10 minutes or until cookies begin to brown.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

The Banner News / banner-news.com

Page 15

Lady Warriors get past Burns 62-48

By John Wilson john.bannernews@gmail.com

Last Wednesday the East Gaston/Burns girls basketball game got off to a late start. The reason being the JV game that preceded it ran long. The Warriors JV lost to the Bulldogs 42-36. The closing minutes were exciting as EG made a late push but fell short. The wait was just one of those things. When the Lady Warriors V finally got on the court the girls wasted no time. They went to work.

East Gaston notched their second win of the year by beating Burns 62-48.

Early on both teams matched up well, each forcing turnovers. East Gaston moved the ball well attacking from inside and from the perimeter.

Midway through the 1st period EG started to exert their will. The Lady Warriors were playing good offense and defense. At 3:35 Aubrey Craig nailed a sweet 3 pointer that put the Lady Warriors up 12-4. With about 2 minutes to go in the period Burns power forward Timone Jefferies was moving down the court for what should have been an easy layup. But Deaja Smith would have none of that.

Smith kept pace, and just as Jefferies was about to shoot, Smith stuffed her. Problem solved.

The 1st period ended with East Gaston up 17-6.

In the second period Burns tried to press East Gaston, but the Lady Warriors responded.

East Gaston continued to

move the ball. On offense and defense EG denied the Lady Bulldogs the inside game. If there was a ball in play the Lady Warriors were going for it.

“We emphasise intensity and effort,” East Gaston head coach David Hayes said. “We got 20 offensive rebounds.”

The Lady Warriors scrapped for every loose ball.

“They are going to go Lady Warrior Deja Ross attempts a shot against Burns defend50/50 balls,” Hayes added. ers. East Gaston won the game 62-48.

“They will go on the ground.”

Photos by Jim Abernethy In an effort to get back into the game Burns resorted to taking ineffective perim- caution.” Hayes said.

The halftime rest proved eter shots. In the first part of Robinson proved to be a to be very beneficial to the 2nd period Burns was out true playmaker. The 6’ senior Burns. The Lady Bulldogs of synch. It wasn’t until the was into everything. Against started the period on a tear. closing minutes of the period Burns, Robinson recorded 14 They scored 10 points in the that Burns got it together. points and 8 rebounds. first 2 minutes of play.

Then they started to move. In But coach Hayes believes Two factors may have the final minutes of the half that her contributions go be- contributed to the Burns the Lady Bulldogs went on an yond that. surge. First off Ervin was 11 point run. They had closed “The things she does that out. Secondly, halfway into the gap some. But were still don’t go in the stat book,” the period Robinson got into down 36-17 at the half.

Hayes added “Things such as foul trouble. Coach Hayes The East Gaston defense deflections. she also sets up needed to make sure Robindid a good job throwing our seal.” son was available in the 4th.

Burns off. The Lady WarIn the Burns game Hayes So the senior rode the bench riors ran with a creative de- would put Robinson to work for a bit. fensive scheme that at times in an effort to smother the With Ervin and Robinson looked like zone coverage. Lady Bulldog offense. absent Burns tried to take At other times it looked more “Robinson ran man to man advantage of the smaller delike man to man. It was in on their top players.” Hayes fense. They had some initial many ways a hybrid. Impos- added. success. But as the period ing players like Ne’ja Ervin Throughout the game went on the Lady Warriors and Shai Robinson were not Hayes rotated his players fre- picked up the pace. By the pushed around. East Gaston quently. Burns did not. The end of the period East Gasplayed it’s best defense when EG players looked crisper ton shut Burns down again.

Ervin and Robinson were on and better rested. On the They even added a few more the court. But just before the other hand Burns was still points. East Gaston was up half ended Ervin collided in the fight. They weren’t 51-28 at the end of the 3rd. with another player and hurt playing sharp basketball, but As the 4th period started her knee. The injury wasn’t the were not giving in. Half- Burns had a lot of ground to severe but Ervin never got time couldn’t come quick make up. In an effort to get back in. enough for Burns. They the win Burns stayed, for the “We kept her out as a preneeded the breather. most part with their starters.

Abbey Cycling Team wraps up regular season cyclocross races The Belmont Abbey Cycling Team wrapped up the cyclocross portion of its season last weekend with several solid finishes at the NCCX Hendersonville competition.

Keith Mullaly enjoyed one of his best finishes of the year on Sunday with a 10th-place

showing in the UCI pro race.

The day before he took 14th in a similar event. Jesse Kooistra took 19th and 13th place in his Category 2/3 races over the weekend, while Thomas Carey was 21st and 19th, respectively.

Tristan Greathouse only

competed on Sunday, placing 17th in the same Category 2/3 competition.

“This was a great weekend to cap off our regular season cyclocross races,” Head Coach Kyle Knott said. “Thomas, Tristan, and Jesse have shown that they can produce great

results on a consistent basis, while Keith has had a breakout season with many top results including earning valuable UCI points. We are all looking forward to seeing what they are capable of achieving at the National Championship January 4 in Connecticut.”

Warrior player Tyrone Brown dribbles past a Burns defender on The Burns defense surrounds East Gaston player Samuel the way to a 42-39 win.

Brown.

East Gaston’s Ne ‘ja Ervin looks to rebound the ball in the game against Burns. The Lady Warriors went on to win 62-48.

East Gaston’s Deaja Smith is seen getting a layup driving the goal against Burns.

Coach Hayes on the other hand continued to rotate his lineup.

“Everybody played tonight.” Hayes said.

From a scoring perspective, Burns had a great 4th period. The Lady Bulldogs scored 20 points compared to EG’s 11. But it all came to late. The Lady Warriors didn’t have to get into a 4th period shootout Burns. They just needed to outlast them.

Which they did.

In the final minutes the Lady Warriors were running with bench players. Players that got valuable court time.

East Gaston continued to keep Burns at bay holding on to a 62-48 win.

Deaja Smith and Deja Ross were East Gaston’s top shooters. Each had 15 points.

Ross also snared 9 rebounds.

Freshman Saylon Usher pulled down 10 boards to earn top rebound honors for East Gaston.

East Gaston’s Samuel Brown goes up for shot over Burns defense. East Gaston won 42-39.

The Banner News / banner-news.com

Page 16

Thursday, December 22, 2016

DEZURE MOULDEN #5 Junior Small Guard

Boys Basketball Stuart Cramer’s #33 Dylan Collins aims a shot in the 72-41 win over Forestview.

Stuart Cramer went up against Forestview and won 72-41. In this photo #21 John Griffin fights for a rebound.

Storm player #32 Josh Beck leaps for the ball against Forestview.

Photos by Lydia Julen

Stuart Cramer boys see win against Forestview, Lady Storm suffer loss

Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park Gastonia NC • 704.867.6337 Stanley NC • 704.263.2631 Dallas NC • 704.922.3191

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

The Stuart Cramer basketball girls met Forestview last week but lost 46-29. In this shot Maddie Short #23 aims for the basket.

Lady Storm player Laura Trull aims a shot in the Forestview game.

Stuart Cramer’s #21 Carly Womack executes a pass against Forestview.

Gaston County Schools Points of Pride North Belmont Elementary collected 1,434 non-perishable food items for the S.O.C.K.S. organization in Belmont. The collection drive was organized by the school’s safety patrol and Girls on the Run team.

Cherryville High School conducted a ceremony to dedicate the tennis courts in honor of long-time teacher and coach

Congratulations to ‘Team Dynamite’ of McAdenville Elementary for qualifying for the North Carolina First Lego League State Championship. The event will take place Jan. 14-15 in Greensboro.

Gaston Schools photo

Donna Lavery.

Bessemer City Middle School hosted a Veterans Tribute event to honor local men and women who served in the military. The band and chorus performed and the art club had work on display.

Students involved in the LEAP (Leading, Educating, and Preparing) program at Pleasant Ridge Elementary presented a drumming performance during the recent Forestview/Hunter Huss football game. School counselor James Giambusso directed the performance.

Students of the Month from Page Primary School for November. Character trait is Courage: Top row left to right: J. Morris, J. Moore, E. Shuler, R. Trexler, J. Bradley, L. Rodenberger, M. Chapman, and G. Munford. Bottom row left to right: R. Lineberger, K. Norton, I. Sadler, C. Melton, C. Stout, W. Jefferies.

Gaston Schools photo

The Banner News / banner-news.com

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Page 17

Banner-News Funny Paper DOGS OF C-KENNEL

by MICK & MASON MASTROIANNI

15 MINUTES

SPECTICKLES

By ROBERT DUCKETT

By BILL ABBOTT

FUNDAY MORNING

By BRAD DILLER

Local boys compete in national BMX event Clayton Austin, Grayer Andrews, Hayes Andrews, and Austin Andrews, of Belmont,who are all cousins, competed in the BMX (Bicycle Moto Cross) Grands and the Race Of Champions over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The boys and parents flew to Tulsa, Oklahoma on Wednesday and Thursday they practiced at the indoor track at the Spirit Expo Center (pictured). On Friday they competed in the Race of Champions which they were qualified for by competing in the North Carolina State BMX championship. The boys moved all the way up to Quarter mains where they were eliminated on Friday. Saturday and Sunday they competed in the USA BMX Grands Race, Clayton and Greyer both crashed and had minor injuries and Austin and Hayes both moved to Quarters for that race and were eliminated not being able to make the semis.

The boys and their parents were pleased with the performance being that they were competing against over 4,000 riders from 21 countries, 47 states. This race is the Super Bowl of BMX racing. The parents say there were many white knuckle monuments during the races. When asked about their experience at the races all the boys said we will get them next year.

Parents Melaine Andrews, Greg Andrews, Craig and Laurel Austin all said they were very proud of the boys’ performance competing at this level of racing.

Photo courtesy Craig Austin

“Mom said, she’s grateful you took the Christmas lights down before july, and she’ll call ‘9-1-1’ as soon as she stops laughing.”

THE OTHER COAST

East Gaston Warriors Player of the Week

CLARA COBB Freshman Girls Swim Team

By MASTROIANNI & HART

©CommunityFirstMedia

BC

Allen Drug Proud Supporter of East Gaston Athletics

220 S. Main St., Stanley Beside the Woodshed

Mon-Fri 8am-6pm • Sat 9am-1pm

The Banner News / banner-news.com

Page 18

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Superintendent’s weekly message

By W. Jeffrey Booker, Superintednet Gaston County Schools

Santa visited the South Point High School library a little early this year. Mrs. Elaine Gentry, South Point High School Media Specialist welcomed a donation of eleven new books, including replacement copies of J. K. Rawling’s Harry Potter series, brought to the school by Mrs. Lucy Mitchell of The Book Club in Belmont. Mrs. Mitchell said that her book club had the idea to give much needed books to the library instead of buying gifts for each other that would just collect dust on their shelves.

Several students were in the library when the donations were made and immediately became very excited. Mrs. Gentry would like to thank these ladies for thinking of the library. “It may seem like a small donation but every little bit helps” commented Mrs. Gentry.

Gaston Schools photo

Last week, Bessemer City High had delivery day for Project Hope. Project Hope was designed to Help Others Prepare for Education in the BC community. This project has been going on for 3 years and has been facilitated by Jacob N, Austin N and Kelsey G. Everyone is blessed by their hard work and are proud of the leaders they are for the community.

Gaston Schools photo

Mountain Island Charter School Player of the Week

JARRETT AVINGER #35 Senior Forward

Boys Basketball

704-395-1239 www.allwoodinsurance.com

It is hard to believe that the holiday season is here, and we are approaching the halfway point in the school year. We’ve had a good first semester, thanks to the hard work and commitment of our students, employees, parents, volunteers, and community partners. Before we know it, end-of-year testing, awards ceremonies, and graduation day will be here.

This is an exciting time of year for us. Many of our schools are hosting concerts, programs, and other holiday activities. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend school programs at Sherwood, Springfield, and Chapel Grove. We invite parents and community members to take time out of their busy schedules to enjoy one of our special school events.

I would like to thank our schools for showing the true spirit of caring and giving during the holidays. Students, teachers, and

staff are involved in supporting canned food drives, toy and clothing collections, and other charitable causes to make sure that the season is bright for everyone in our community. Your willingness to help makes a significant difference for children and families in need.

W. Jeffrey Booker The holiday break begins for our schools on Wednesday, December 21, and students return to class on Tuesday, January 3. December 23, 26 and 27 and January 2 are holidays for all employees. Everyone is looking forward to the break as we focus our attention on celebrating the season and new year with our family and friends.

The Board of Education joins me in wishing you and your family a time filled with joy and peace, and we look forward to sharing many opportunities for success in 2017.

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The Banner News / banner-news.com

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Page 19

CLASSIFIED ADS

To Place Your Ad Call Kathy Today @ 704-739-7496 EMPLOYMENT

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

WANT TO BUY

Office Administrator Local Baptist Church seeks candidates for the position of Office Administrator. This position plans, coordinates, develops and performs the clerical and administrative duties for the church in order to carry out and assist in the spiritual functions of the church. Prior experience working in a church office preferred but not required. Familiarity with basic accounting functions and human resources practices a plus. Ideal candidate will be a self-starter accustomed to working alone in a small office environment and must possess excellent interpersonal skills.

This position will provide clerical support to the Senior Pastor and other church staff and committee chairs and will assist the Church Treasurer with various accounting tasks. Hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 2:30. Resumes should be submitted to East Belmont Baptist Church, 501 East Catawba Street Belmont, NC 28012 or email eastbelmontbaptist@att.net . (12/08, 15, 22)

NEED BUSINESS CARDS TO PROMOTE YOURSELF & YOUR BUSINESS? 1000 raised print business cards starting at $35 + tax. Shelby Shopper & Info, 503 N. Lafayette St, Shelby, NC 704-4841047 or Rutherford Weekly, 369 Butler Rd, Forest City, NC 828-248-1408.

BEAUTIFUL PUZZLE PICTURES, assembled, framed & under glass. Scenes include Christmas, farm & Thomas Kincaid, $200 each. Brand new All Terrain Vehicle, has generator & lawnmower, $4000. Call 704538-3652 or 704-692-5014.

TWELVE NEW SADDLEBRED SHIRTS, size medium for men, never worn, $12 each. Homemade honey soap, wonderful for face & body, already wrapped & ready for stocking stuffers, $3 each. Call anytime, 828-6579677. If no answer, leave message.

LIKE NEW, USED VERY LITTLE. Treadmill that monitors all vital signs with safety cutoff, stands up when finished, doesn’t take up much space.

Paid over $400, will take $250.

Call 704-692-4449.

WANT TO BUY CARS, TRUCKS, trailers, metal boats, tractors & farm equipment & scrap metal. Must have ID & proof of ownership. Callahan’s Towing. 704-692-1006.

IMMEDIATE NEED for a Residential Electrical Sevice Technician.

Must have 5 years Ex-perience in Residential Wiring. Must be able to work independently, make good decisions and have a current knowledge of NEC. Must have Active Drivers License and clean driving record. Also, must have Tools and be able to pass a drug screen. Call 704-750-3150 and leave message or Email Resume to tina@martinselectricnc.com. (11/30, 12/07, 14, 21, 28, 1/04,11,18) IMMEDIATE NEED for a Commercial Electrician. Must have 5 years Experience in Com-mercial Wiring. Must be able to work independently, make good decisions and have a current knowledge of NEC. Must have Active Drivers License and clean driving record. Also, must have Tools and be able to pass a drug screen. Call 704-7503150, leave message or Email Resume to tina@martinselectricnc.com.

(11/30,12/07, 14, 21, 28, 1/04,11,18) CURRENT POSITION OPEN for a Residential Technician.

Must have a valid NC Drivers License and knowledge of N.E.C. Must be able to work independent of others, deal with and schedule jobs with customers. Also, will be on call 24-7.

Please email resumes to tina@ martinselectricnc.com or call 704-750-3150.

(11/30,12/07, 14, 21, 28, 1/04,11,18)

FOR SALE CEMETERY LOTS – Hillcrest Garden Cemetery in Mt. Holly, NC. Cherry IV section. Lot 61 & 62. Beside Sidewalk. $3,000.00.

704-534-9004.

(12/22, 29/16 & 1/05/17) BETTER EFFICIENCY and more heat output than traditional wood heating. Central Boiler Classic Edge OUTDOOR WOOD FURNACE. Call today!

Mill Spring Outdoor Furnaces 828-245-0174.

ENCLOSED TRAILERS. 7X16, $3100. 6X14, $2900. 6X12, $2000. 704-434-6389. Bridges Riding Equipment, Boiling Springs, NC. 1989 PROWLER BY FLEETWOOD Fifth wheel Camper, 26’, real nice, $3500 obo. 704974-1255.

REFRIGERATORS, STOVES, washers, dryers & odd furniture.

Call 704-481-0954. After 5pm, call 704-482-0540.

TRAILERS, LAWNMOWER TRAILERS, Flat Bed Trailers, Enclosed Trailers, Horse & Cattle Trailers, Saddlery.

Check our prices and quality before you buy. Bridges Riding Equipment, Boiling Springs, NC. 704-434-6389.

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS WITH SCRATCH PADS! Press Room Printing. 704-538-5788, 704-482-2243.

HORSE QUALITY HAY. Round & square bales. 704-487-6855.

FIREWOOD FOR SALE. Dump truck load, $200. 704-418-3083.

FOR SALE: FOR PARTS OR WHOLE: 1995 Nissan 4x4.

1987-91 Ford 4WD. 1989-94 Toyota truck parts. 1968-72 Ford parts. Manual & auto trans for Chevy & Ford. Gray factory Ford wheels, 7”x7x15. Set of factory Ford gray center cap & beauty rim, 7x15 & 8x15. Factory Toyota 4WD wheels. Honda car parts for sale. Antique barber chair. WANT TO BUY: Pickup trucks, any model, make, condition. Nissan or Toyota Pickups. 704-538-9742.

USED CEMENT MIXER, some good parts, good 8 HP Honda motor, $200. 704-691-4816.

2 MONGOOSE LEDGE MOUNTAIN BIKES, $100 each. Youth bed suit, $100. Call 704-3008251.

600 CDS & CASSETTES. Records: 127 albums, 125 45’s, 2 chairs by Century, like new. 2 blue Wing chairs by Drexel Heritage. Christmas Wreaths, $1 each. 828-657-5980.

WORX TRIVAC, LEAF PRO UNIVERSAL Leaf Collection System w/Multi-Fit Adapters.

Worx Multi-Stage, all metal Mulching System, 3-in-1 Blower/Mulcher/Vac/Warranty, been used one time, $100. 704-6006293.

CEMETERY LOTS, CLEVELAND MEMORIAL PARK, Boiling Springs. Call for info. 704434-7761, 704-692-9915.

PRO FORM ELLIPTICAL BICYCLE/ Chair Climber & Life Styler 850 Treadmill. $100 each or $150 for both. 704-538-5283.

MOVING DOWNSIZING SALE: Bedroom suite with queen size bed. Lounge chair, couch, Futon bed, Total Gym 11000. 101 Carolina Place Dr., Earl, NC. 704-600-5919.

M & M USED APPLIANCES. Large selection, late models, 30 day warranty, in Ellenboro. 828305-0322 or 828-980-2477.

MEDICAL OFFICE FURNITURE & EQUIPMENT for sale.

Office closing, everything must go. Contact Cindy at 704-6014381.

SMITH & WESSON AR 15 SPORT, fully dressed, with ammo & extra magazine, never fired, $850. 704-284-1496.

SOLID OAK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER w/leaded glass doors and separate roll down hide away for TV, 2 bottom drawers and cabinet. Beautiful piece, 56 3/4” tall x 21” wide x 55” long.

Bought new, $1000, will sell for $275. Will let TV go with unit.

Must Sell. Call 704-473-1847 after 3pm.

PIGS, 175 LBS - 200 LBS, $150 each. Homemade truck bed trailer, $125. Aluminum truck box, $50. 704-538-8010.

SPODE CHRISTMAS CHINA, over 200 pieces. Plates, cups, saucers, mugs, serving pieces, $800. 704-692-0085.

2011 3 WHEEL ICE BEAR TRIKE MOPED with 196 miles, like new, highway ready, $1600.

828-245-5496 or 828-201-7973.

POTTERY BARN BENCH SOFA with off white slip cover, like new, pd. $2000, asking $1200 obo. 704-616-5331.

1971 FORD TRACTOR, 2000 MODEL, Bush hog, box scrape, lift bar & trailer hitch, $5000.

2009 Kaufman trailer, double axle, 23’ bed, $3500. 1980 Vette parts, $3000. 1975 Corvette parts, $3000. 1966 GT 40 Kit Car, $8000. 704-418-4719, 704418-2662.

LATE 90’S CLASSIC 30, $400 firm. Peavey KB 100 w/TNT 100 Bass Speaker Cabinet, $300 firm. Silvertone Strat type guitar, $200 firm. Washburn D10-S 12 String w/hardshell case, $450, firm. Fender DG 7 guitar, $100 firm. Call Don, 704-322-8029.

DELL COMPUTER WITH PRINTER, new cartridges, $150. 1600 PSI electric, pressure washer, $75. New Works GT weed eater, $75. 704-4665116.

PECANS FOR SALE. $1.25 per pound. 704-419-9702.

PEAVEY SOUND EQUIPMENT, speaker, mixer, etc.

Call, 704-937-7377.

GRAND AIR 2.5 TON GAS FURNACE, AC gas pack manufactured, 2012, LP gas, can be converted, very good condition, $700. 704-435-9815 or 704600-7918.

TANNING BED FOR SALE, like new, used only in home.

New bulbs, 15 minute timer.

Top of line, extra large, 39x81”, excellent condition, $1500 obo.

Originally, $3500. For info or pictures, call 704-473-9233.

48” ROUND OAK DINING TABLE w/center pedestal lion claw feet, 4 matching chairs, 24” leaf insert. Good condition, $300.

704-692-4328.

KENMORE MICROWAVE (stove top), $80. (2) WWII foot lockers, $75 each. 828-980-0080.

MINT CONDITION BARBIE DOLLS: (2) Holiday, (1) Jewel Princess, (1) Millennium Princess & (1) Wedding Day. Best discount prices. 828-691-5662.

MORGAN’S FIREWOOD SERVICE; Oak or Hickory. Cut, split, & delivered. Prices start at $60. Open 7 days a week. 1-828-395-0758.

RENT TO OWN: CARPORTS, GARAGES, BARNS. Garages from $115 month, 36 months.

Horse Barns from $265 month, 36 months. NO CREDIT CHECK. J Johnson Sales, Forest City. 828-245-5895.

WANTED TO BUY, GOOD USED FURNITURE AND APPLIANCES, and antiques or estates. 704-481-0954, after 5 p.m. 704-482-0540.

RED ROAD TOWING PAYING CASH FOR YOUR CAR Running or not, title, no title.

Charles Dellinger. 704-6926767, 704-487-0228.

BUYING JUNK CARS, title or no title. Running or not. Fast on time service. BUYING BUSES, BIG TRUCKS, & MOST ANY METAL. 704-692-6752.

I PAY CASH FOR DIABETIC Test Strips. Up to $10 per 100 ct. Must be Unused, Unexpired.

I’m local & pay fast. 828-5774197.

FIREWOOD FOR SALE. All Hardwood, 3/4 ton, $75. 10 foot trailer stacked, $150. 20 mile radius. Call 704-473-9379.

USED CAMPER TOPS: Various Sizes & Styles. Also buying them in Rutherford County. 828980-0881.

VACATIONS

MORGAN’S FIREWOOD SERVICE; cut, split & delivered. (All Green Oak wood). Buy 3 loads, cash only, delivered. 1st load $60, 2nd load $55, 3rd load $50.

Buy 2 loads, cash only, delivered. 1st load $60, 2nd load $55. Buy 3 loads pay up front, cash only, delivered. $160. Call 1-828-395-0758.

OCEAN LAKES, 1678 STARFISH, 3BR, washer & dryer, large covered front porch. Reduced rates for spring & fall.

Summer dates avail. 704-4736109. sheilaba@bellsouth.net.

COTTAGE N34, Ocean Lakes, Myrtle Beach, 2BR, 2BA, den, kitchen/dining, covered deck, near country store. Call Dorcas 803-635-9831, 803-718-2659.

BAGS OF CARDS: Baseball, Basketball, Football, and NASCAR. Bags are $5 each, no limit. 828-691-5662.

Personal Classified Ads ONE WEEK

Onl

7

$ 50 y

10

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TWO WEEKS

Only

Commercial/For Profit Ads •Business Services •Child Care •Rental Ads and ALL For Profit Ads!

$

00

10

THREES WEEK

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Based on 20 word limit per week - add 30¢ per word, per week over 20

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Classified Deadline is Friday at 3pm for the following Thursday’s Edition

Clip & Mail Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________City______________________ Zip____________ Email _____________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________ Ad Copy: ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ (Be sure to include phone number in ad copy.)

Total Words________ Number of Issues _______ Classification ______________________________

Amount Enclosed $_____________ Mail this form to: PO Box 769 • Kings Mountain • NC 28086 OR Call Kathy at 704-739-7496

The Banner News / banner-news.com

Page 20

Located across the front lawn from the Neal Senior Center. Turn off of Hwy 18 North at the Crystal Springs sign onto T.R. Harris Drive.

Office address is 100 T.R. Harris Dr., Shelby, NC 28150 (Inside The Neal Sr. Center)

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Where Great Things Are Happening THE ONLY AGE 55 PLUS COMMUNITY IN CLEVELAND COUNTY

New Single Level Patio Home with Over Garage Bonus Room for Climate Controlled Storage or Finish it for That Special Room You Have Always Wanted.

Ground Floor has 2 Spacious Bedrooms with Walk-in Closets, 2 Full Baths and Custom Kitchen with Open Great Room.

Stay Nice and Warm this Winter with the Easy Lite Gas Fireplace.

Ground Floor has No Steps and is Designed with 3 Ft. Wide Doorways.

And Best of All... There’s No Mowing in Crystal Springs. The Homeowners Association takes care of all landscaping for you. Call for details!

Brand New Under Construction

Also Available!

New Craftsman Design Townhomes!

Prices Starting at $

159,000

New Craftsman Design Townhomes at TR Harris Dr. in

Crystal Springs Estates These New Craftsman Designed Townhomes are Fresh off the Drawing Board.

This new design has two bedrooms and two full baths. Master bath has a relaxing shower with seat and custom glass door for easy access. A open custom designed kitchen with island and bar makes cooking very enjoyable. Stop by and take a personal tour of Crystal Springs today.

Gregdon Investments, LLC Developer Don L. Peeler, Managing Partner/Broker Smart Construction, Inc., Builder

100 T.R. Harris Dr., Shelby, NC 28150 Cell Voice/Text 704-349-0761 • Office 704-481-7396