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Volume 115 • Issue 9
75¢
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Shady Grove’s new sanctuary scheduled for May 2021 dedication Church has a history of a period of 70 years between each of their sanctuary buildings; 1881 to 1951, and now to 2021 by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
The missionary family, the Vroege’s, headed back into the mission field of Uganda by way of Holland, after leaving Cherryville on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Mom, Stephanie Patterson Vroege, originally from Cherryville, stands at the left next to her daughter, Sarah; and sons, Josiah and Nathaniah. Standing behind his family is dad, Gertjan. (photo provided)
Cherryville bids the missionary Vroege family a fond farewell The police, fire and EMS create bonds with missionary family as they head back to first Holland, then Uganda by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Cherryville Police, Fire, EMS and First Responders personnel bid the Vroege (pronounced 'Frooha’) family a fond farewell on Wednesday, Feb. 24. The family of five consists of father, Gertjan; mother Stephanie, sons, Nathaniah and Josiah, and daughter, Sarah. Mom, Stephanie, formerly Stephanie Patterson, is originally from Cherryville, having graduated from CHS in 1990. Her mother, Betty, still lives in Cherryville and works for Gaston County Schools Nutrition. Cherryville Police Chief
Cam Jenks, along with fellow CPD staff Lt. Mark Stout, and Patrol Officer D. Thom, and CFD Assistant Chief Jason Wofford and GEMS EMT Lynn Ledbetter spoke on the Cherryville Main Street’s Facebook page in a four-minute-plus segment talking about the Vroege’s and what the family and their kids have meant to the City while they have been back here in America on furlough. Mrs. Vroege said they have been missionaries to Uganda since 2012. Said Chief Jenks, “We’re here today (Feb. 24) to see Stephanie and her husband and her children off as they head back to Holland.” Chief Jenks said Stephanie reached out to him, explaining that they had recently come from a mission trip in Uganda and how her children had seen the news of what was happening in the See FAREWELL, Page 4
Shady Grove Baptist Church is a growing church. Evidence of that can readily be seen if you take a ride out of Cherryville and head down Tryon Church Road, heading towards Kings Mountain. Look to your left and you will immediately notice the flurry of building activity as their new sanctuary rises up next to their venerable 1951 edifice. According to Rev. Dale Hendricks they are about three months away from
The new Shady Grove Baptist Church Sanctuary building is rapidly nearing completion. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media) dedicating the new sanctuary, now under construction out on Tryon Courthouse Road, outside Cherryville. Said Pastor Hendricks, “The architect (of the new
sanctuary) is Jerry McGinnis from Shelby, and the building contractor is Morris Construction, also from Shelby.” Hendricks, the church’s
Senior Pastor, said he and his congregation are excited about how things are shaping up and coming along with the building, which See DEDICATION, Page 6
Council hears from Piedmont Lithium VP at work session Proposed dog park, water plant issues, and other agenda items covered during lengthy meeting by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
The City Council held it Tuesday, Feb. 23, work session and discussed a number of items that will be presented at their Monday, March 8, regular session, to be held at the Cherryville Fire Department. Before Council got down to the actual agenda though, they heard a presentation from Piedmont Lithium’s Vice President of Project Management, Patrick
Piedmont Lithium Vice President of Project Management Patrick Brindle speaking at last Tuesday night’s, Feb. 23 City Council work session, held at the Cherryville Fire Department training room. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media) Brindle about where the company’s lithium producing capabilities and future
plant project, as it pertains to Cherryville and Gaston County, currently stands.
Piedmont Lithium is a company that has been active See COUNCIL, Page 2
New high school in Gaston County designed to prepare students for careers in the medical field by TODD HAGANS Gaston County Schools
There’s a new high school coming to Gaston County, and it will provide a quality education for students who are interested in the medical and healthcare fields. The Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences (GECMS) will open in August 2021 on the Gaston College campus in Dallas. It is an innovative, healthcare-focused high school that is de-
signed especially for students interested in careers in the medical/healthcare industry. The new high school is a collaborative effort among Gaston County Schools, Gaston College, Belmont Abbey College, and CaroMont Health, and it is intended to develop a future workforce to meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals in Gaston County. “This is an outstanding opportunity for students in our community,” said Denise McLean, executive director of student support services for Gaston County Schools. “The medical and healthcare indus-
try in Gaston County is growing and expanding, and we realize that CaroMont Health and other agencies will need a trained workforce that is ready to meet the demand.” McLean added, “This new school will provide students with a pathway to obtain the education, knowledge, hands-on experience, and connections necessary for a successful career in healthcare right here at home.” The new high school will open with enough space for 80 ninth graders and 80 tenth graders. Students need to submit an application, and a lottery selection process simi-
lar to the one for the Highland School of Technology will be used to choose the students who will attend. The school is open to students in Gaston County, including students who currently attend Gaston County Schools as well as students enrolled in a private school, charter school, virtual school, or homeschool program. Applications are accepted online at www.gaston.k12.nc.us/ schoolchoice. According to McLean, students will be able to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree from Gaston See GASTON, Page 9
This file picture from the 2019-2020 academic year features East Gaston High School student Hollee Woodward in the school’s Health Sciences Academy. In August 2021, the Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences will open on the Gaston College campus in Dallas, providing another option for high school students who are interested in the healthcare and medical fields. (photo provided)
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