Cherryville Eagle 3-31-21

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Volume 115 • Issue 13

75¢

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Three 2020 awards given at COC’s 2021 Annual meeting Event held virtually on The Chamber’s Facebook page by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

The 2021 Cherryville Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, held March 11, looked quite a bit different, as has everything else done lately in America, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keeps us all apart. Chamber Vice-President Mary Beth Tackett said the Annual meeting, normally held as a get together in one of the City’s venues or another, was presented at 6 p.m., that day, on the Chamber’s Facebook page, due to social distancing requirements. The vastly time-shortened event focused on awarding the 2020 Chamber Business, Citizen, and Member of the Year awards and Chamber Board Chairman Pete Craft’s annual Chamber message. Mrs. Tackett said the 2020 Business of the Year Award went to Vickie Spurling Realty, while the Citizen of the Year Award went to Mr. Patrick O’Leary, and the Member of the Year Award went to Mr. Calvin Hastings. Said Tackett, “The Business of the Year award was established to honor either a business or businessperson whose investment in, and See AWARDS, Page 4

Cherryville Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award winner Vickie Spurling, of Vickie Spurling Realty.

2021 Dixie Girls Softball Opening Day draws large crowd Mr. Patrick O’Leary was presented with the 2020 Cherryville Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award.

KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. – The Catawba Nation announced last week it will fast-track the opening of the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort project in Kings Mountain by opening a “prelaunch” facility this summer with 500 slot machines. The pre-launch facility, which will be constructed using prefabricated modular structures, will provide an initial opportunity for patrons

160-plus girls help field 12 teams for popular Cherryville organization by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

A little cold weather didn’t dampen the excitement on the faces of 160plus girls of all ages who came out on Saturday, March 20, for the opening

day of the 2021 Dixie Girls Softball season. A media release from Jamie McSwain, from Rockin’ Realty, one of the team sponsors (Sweetees) noted, “It is the largest turnout we have had in three or four years.” She continued, “Over 160 (young ladies) registered to play this year.” McSwain said there were 12 teams on the field that day, along with their entire board, Mayor H.L. Beam, III, and City Manager Jeff

Cash. Dixie Girls Softball President Cheryl Word and Vice-President Daniel McBride, VP, said the girls ranged in age from 3 years old up the age of 19. President Word said, “We had a great turnout! Our numbers were some of the best they have been in several years. I think overall it was a great day! Everyone seemed to be very happy to be out and back on the ballfield.”

McBride thanked the group many sponsors for making it all possible and announced the top winners for the organization’s candy fundraiser. First place winner, Skyla Arnold received a $300 Great Wolf Lodge gift card; second place winner, Emily Lowrance received a Lenovo Smart tablet; third place was a tie between winners, Desiree Smith and Hazel Workman, who each See DIXIE, Page 3

Mr. Calvin Hastings was presented with the Chamber’s 2020 Member of the Year Award.

Catawba Nation to fast-track casino summer opening with 500-slot ‘pre-launch’ facility at KM site Faster opening of Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort will accelerate job creation for region

These excited young ladies are all lined up at the fence at Ballard Park’s C.V. Thornburg Field as the 2021 Dixie Girls Softball opening day gets under way. They’re ready for some softball! (photo provided)

to game with limited food & beverage and other guest amenities. “With the completion of our compact with the State of North Carolina, the Catawba Nation is eager to open the casino as quickly as possible to begin bringing economic benefits and jobs to the state and region,” Catawba Chief Bill Harris said. “We’re working with Delaware North, our consultant on the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort project, as well as our developer, Skyboat Gaming, to make that happen by opening what we are calling a ‘pre-launch’ facility this summer.” An introductory phase of the full casino is still planned and will feature an additional 1,300 slot machines. It will See CASINO, Page 4

Last Saturday, March 26, a group of family members, friends, and church members met at Cherryville’s First United Methodist Church to honor the memory of the late Miles Gantt as a food pantry was dedicated and blessed in his memory. The pantry’s idea was the brainchild of Cherryville businessman and builder, Jody Fowler, to honor his great uncle, Miles. Present, in addition to Mr. Fowler, his wife, Sarah, and children, Will and Keenan, were the following: Louie and Joan Fowler; Jerry Gantt, Lisa Gantt, Ansley Julian, Addi Julian, and Avery Julian; Brenda Gantt; Heath and Allison Fowler and Drew and Jackson Fowler; Brent and Teresa Gardo; Billy and Barbara Crews; Richard and Kay Beam; Gail Jenkins; the Rev. Zack Christie; and Pete Craft. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)

Community Food Pantry honors memory of late Miles Gantt Businessman Jody Fowler creates unique way to give back to community by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville native, businessman and builder Jody Fowler has recently come up with a unique way to honor

the memory of his beloved great uncle, Miles Gantt, who he said “sparked (his) passion for construction.” Fowler had originally approached the Cherryville City Council a while back with the idea to honor the late Mr. Gantt’s memory by the construction and placement of a community food pantry box, an idea which Mr. Fowler said he had seen in a few other towns and communities

as he went about his business as a builder. City Manager Jeff Cash said they were unable to allow the pantry to be placed in the Heritage Park, as originally requested by Mr. Fowler, because of issues with the City’s insurance carriers. “We asked them and they explained to us it was an extremely high liability issue for us,” he said recently by phone.

At a Saturday, March 26, dedication of the new “Miles Gantt Community Food Pantry”, Jody addressed a crowd of family, friends, and church members at Cherryville’s First United Methodist Church, and said, “The Lord laid this idea on my heart, and though I had to put it off for one reason or another, I still kept coming back to it.” Fowler said his beloved See PANTRY, Page 6

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