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Volume 115 • Issue 32
75¢
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
2021 Legion banquet a great start to Cherryville-hosted State Tournament by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
In preparation for their 2021 NC State Tournament, held here in Cherryville for the second year since the COVID-19 shutdown of 2020, the Post 100 American Legion hosted a June 26, banquet for Area’s I, II, III, and IV, Legion baseball teams and their coaches at Cherryville’s First Baptist Church Christian Outreach Center. Though that tournament is now over, and the winner (Fuquay-Varina) has moved on to the final games before the American Legion World Series, to be played once again in Shelby, N.C., the banquet started the journey for the many young men who attended. On the dais were NC’s American Legion Baseball
Chairman Mark Caudle, along with Area I Commissioner Terry Boyles, Area III Commissioner James Rorie, and Area IV Commissioner Jerry Hudson. Area II Commissioner Rick Zickafoose was unable to attend but sent his apologies. Also in attendance were Cherryville Mayor H.L. Beam, III; NC American Legion Dept. Commander for 2021-2022, Jim Quinlan (of Shelby) and his wife, Linda, who is the NC American Legion Auxiliary Dist. 13 President; Cherryville City Councilwoman Jill Parker-Puett, the NC American Legion Auxiliary Dept. President for 2021-2022, and her husband, Ronnie, who is the Cherryville Squadron 100 Sons of the American Legion Squadron Adjutant; City Councilman Jon Abernathy; and City Manager and Fire Chief Jeff Cash.
County’s public health to provide state-funded $100 COVID-19 vaccination incentive GASTONIA – Starting last Friday, Aug. 6, anyone who gets a COVID-19 vaccine at Gaston County’s Public Health Dept. can get a $100 gift card for their time. The gift cards are funded by the State of North Carolina in an effort to encourage more people to get vaccinated. In addition, anyone who drives an unvaccinated person to get their shot will receive a state-funded $25 gift card. You must be 18 or older to receive the incentive. The incentives are part of the state’s Summer Card program and come as Gaston County Public Health aims
to boost local vaccination rates amid rapidly rising case counts in the community. Currently, 37 percent of Gaston County residents are fully vaccinated and 40 percent are partially vaccinated against the virus. Statewide, 46 percent of the population is vaccinated. What’s good news, said Public Health Director Steve Eaton, is that the vaccines against COVID-19 are showing tremendous protection against the virus. “The simple truth is the vaccines work,” Eaton said. “We are excited to be able to offer the incentive provided by the state in an effort to See COVID-19, Page 9
Players from all four Area teams came and got to meet each other and see what sort of opposition they were up against. Mostly though it was it was the ability to share a good meal together and listen to their coaches talk baseball and meet some of the older Legion men and members who were once where they would soon be – on the Cherryville Fraley Field baseball diamond, rapping out hits and scoring runs. Post 100 Athletic Director Ned Yates introduced everyone, including the Rev. Dr. Vince Hefner, pastor of the host church, First Baptist of Cherryville, who said a prayer for all of the young men and their coaches, adding later, “It’s exciting for you all to be here in Cherryville. We are glad to see you.” Yates also noted the presence of the POW-MIA
American Legion Area Commissioners Mike Caudle and Jerry Hudson and Mayor H.L. Beam, III at the July 27, Legion NC State Tournament banquet, prior to their introduction. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media) Chair, set on the stage in remembrance of U.S. veterans who were prisoners of war or are missing in
action and still out there somewhere. Cherryville’s most famous musicians, Darin and
Brooke Aldridge, known as “The Sweethearts of Bluegrass”, and Grand Ole Opry See BANQUET, Page 2
JCMS seeks help in making school’s gardens grow again Principal wants to beautify student’s outdoor learning areas by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Chavis Middle School Principal Matt Rikard and others have been hard at work to redo and remake two on-campus gardens beautiful and useful again for his students. When asked about the work, Rikard said, “The courtyard areas were in rough shape when I was appointed principal this past school year. Through working with Gaston County Schools and talking with students and teachers, the idea of converting them to outdoor classrooms and outdoor eating areas seemed like the best use
for the space. Increasing usable space within the building is a great idea any time, but seems especially important given the circumstances that everyone has been dealing with over the past year.” Rikard said a few big changes will take place with the gardens, hopefully before school starts. Here’s a bit of what he has in mind, noting, “The smaller of the courtyards will be converted to all concrete. We hope to add tables where students can hold class and eat lunch in an outside setting. The larger of the courtyards will be leveled and rocks will be added. We would also like to add seating to this area as well to serve as outdoor classrooms and outdoor eating areas. “Our goal is for the larger courtyard to also contain See JCMS, Page 6
The small indoor garden before being cleared off by Mr. Rikard and helpers. The small plaque seen in the background was placed there by Cherryville South students in memory of JCMS teacher Alex Blackwelder. It says, “You never fail until you quit trying.” (photos by Principal Matt Rikard or provided)
Cooper announces vaccination pressure campaign, no new Midyear fundraising numbers offer mask mandate clues about the 2022 political battles by JEFF MOORE Carolina Journal
Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Thursday, July 29, that, although statewide mask mandates will still expire July 30, according to recent guidance, his administration is launching vaccina-
tion verification requirements for Cabinet agencies and a general campaign to pressure other government entities and private businesses toward similar vaccination requirements. “This virus is now much more contagious and spreading fast, and it will find you if you’re not vaccinated,” Cooper stated to lead off his latest COVID-19 media briefing. See FUNDRAISING, Page 5
by DALLAS WOODHOUSE The Woodshed for Carolina Journal
Carolina Journal recently reported on the second quarter federal fundraising numbers for declared U.S. Senate candidates in North Carolina. However, the U.S. Senate race is just one of three big prizes up for grabs in North Carolina in 2022, with another being the battle to control the General Assembly. Democrats hope to cut into the Republicans’ healthy ma-
jorities in both chambers, while Republicans hope to pick up three seats in the House and two in the Senate. That would give the GOP three-fifths supermajorities in both chambers, enough to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes and enact a full GOP legislative agenda. The third challenge would be winning control of North Carolina’s highest court. So halfway through 2021, where do See FUNDRAISING, Page 5
NC voters entering voting places during the primaries. (CJ file photo by Carolina Journal)
Welcome to Shelby, Cleveland County NC Celebrating 10 years as the Home of the American Legion World Series While you’re here, watch the games and explore all that 6KHOE\ DQG &OHYHODQG &RXQW\ KDYH WR R; HU
For things to do visit www.AmericanLegionWorldSeries.com