Great News for Cherryville Eagle readers and the community! The Eagle to continue weekly publication - See page 2 Volume 117 • Issue 52
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Wednesday, December 27, 2023
City’s Westgate Park now open and ready to go after ribbon is cut $480,000 helped bring the park back to life after a long hiatus by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
According to city officials, Cherryville’s Westgate Park – long a sign of decay and neglect – has finally received the makeover and cleaning up and fixing up it has deserved for a number of years. The park, located on the city’s west side and somewhat tucked away, had a bad “rep” for many years, being a place oftentimes coming under the observation of the city’s police in times past, and for all the wrong reasons, has had a sprucing up, that’s to a large infusion of funds, as well as a great deal of hard work and “sweat capital” on the part of a great many folks who wanted to make the park place of beauty again. City Manager Brian Dalton and a number of City officials and council mem-
Mayor H.L. Beam, III, and City Manager Brian Dalton cutting the ribbon signifying Westgate Park is now open for business. There is still some work to be done, but it’s a beauty and ready to go. See more photos on page 8. (photo provided) bers met there last week on a Wednesday, Dec. 20, and cut a ribbon signifying the park and all its sports amenities and courts, as well as its places for families to come and have a cook-out
were officially open for business. Said City Manager Dalton, “The Westgate Park is ready to be used, and as a matter of fact, many kids are already (out there) play-
ing basketball.” Mr. Dalton noted the work on the park and its environs was done by the following contractors over a period of time, and at the blessing of the City Council:
Mike Steel, Todd Sosebee, and Parker D Fencing. Mr. Dalton also noted the cost of the work was $480,000. “There are still some cosmetic items to be addressed, but for the most part it is
complete,” he said, adding the park will be closed at night. For more information about the park, check out the city’s web site or call City Hall at (704) 435-1700.
Traditional New Year’s Shooters hopes for great weather at this year’s shot A wide shot of the Cherryville New Year’ Shooter’s, Inc. (CNYSI) group as they began their last year’s (2023) Rudisill Stadium shot, shortly after 7 p.m. on Jan. 2. See more photos on page 6. (photos provided)
CNYSI group ready, willing, and more than able to shoot in the New Year by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
The Cherryville New Year’s Shooters, Inc. group is one of two New Year’s Shooters groups who will be blasting out the old year and shooting in the new one for all the Cherryville faithful this year. Said CNYSI Secretary, Rusty Wise, “We should have around 450 members as
in year’s past. We do have a new treasurer elected – Donnie Alexander.” Mr. Wise noted that former CNYSI member Jon Abernethy – a Cherryville city councilman who was a longtime shooter – resigned earlier this year as the group’s treasurer over the museum sale issues. “Donnie has been a member and chanter with our group for many years,” said Rusty. “We are also working with the Gaston County Sherriff and the Cherryville City Police Department for more traffic control since the other group has changed their shooting schedule.”
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He continued by noting that “…both groups are scheduled to shoot at Carpenter’s at the same time, which is around 1:30 a.m.”, adding, “We haven’t changed our main shooting schedule route for many years to avoid such issues.” Wise did say they expect a large crowd, especially if the weather is nice. “One of the safest ways to see the shooters is to see us at the last stop, which is Rudisill Stadium at 6:30 p.m. Seeing that many muskets blasting off at the same time is a rare sight to see. However, bring earplugs regardless of where you see the shooters.”
Vice-President Gary Dellinger: “We are a very family-oriented group that allows for a good safe environment for the kids to participate.” by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
For Gary Dellinger and the Traditional New Year’s Shooters group shooting in the New Year 2023 was as exciting then as it has always been for the past decades – a happy family of like-minded men and women all having a great time being with each other and passing on a great tradition. Gary said that keeping the tradition alive by ushering in a newer generation has always been one of their “first and foremost” things on their list when things get going. That manifests itself as them seeing more youngsters coming out to shoot. Said Gary, “We have had a lot of kids shoot with our group for years, but we did have an exceptional number of kids this year. We are a
Two members of the Traditional New Year’s Shooters at their afternoon shot at Dennis Devine’s house on E. Ballard Street. (photos by Susan L. Powell) very family-oriented group that allows for a good safe environment for the kids to participate.” He continued, “We had two parents sign up kids that were younger than six months old. Obviously, they can't shoot, nor did they even bring them out, but they want them to be members. I joined at 15, but it would be pretty cool to say I’ve been a member since I was born.” Dellinger and his fellow TNYS members will start their shot early at the Lincolnton Apple Drop shoot. No issues there, he said, but noted, “The weather last year kept the attendance down a little for the Apple
Drop, but the shooters made a good showing, with about 75 attending the event.” Overall, Dellinger, who is VP of the TNYS group, said, “We had the largest group of shooters for the 2023 New Year’s route ever. We ordered and sold 250 membership badges. We even pulled out some alternate badges and used them after we sold out.” The group put together a new plan to help EMT and emergency and first responders be able to get through their group should the need arise. Regarding how that went, Gary noted, “Times change and we have to adapt. We try to keep See TRADITIONAL, Page 3 Like Us On
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