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Volume 130 • Issue 33
August 15, 2018
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Chad Gunter, Jr. wows the crowd By Loretta Cozart Last Thursday Chad Gunter, Jr. walked into Kings Mountain’s Life Enrichment Center and with that, “Elvis” had entered the building. Since he was 9 yearsold, Chad has impersonated Elvis Pressley and brought smiles and happiness to those who have seen his performance. He lip-synchs the music and mesmerizes the crowd with Elvis’ signature moves. His parents are overjoyed with their son’s accomplishments. But, when he was born, doctors didn’t give Robin and Chad Gunter, Sr. much hope for baby Chad’s prognosis. “Doctors told us that he probably wouldn’t walk or talk,” said his mother. You see, Chad was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome. “I was miserable over the news, but Chad has beaten all the odds! He graduated from Grace Christian Academy on May 19th. He is the first student to finish K – 12 at the school, and two-hundred friends came to see him graduate,” she said. Chad, Sr. is equally proud of his son. “I get choked when I try to talk about it. Chad doesn’t meet a stranger; he enjoys mak-
ing others smile. It brings joy to the folks who see him perform. I wish I could be like him.” “Chad’s grandfather, Paw Paw “Honey” Gunter, loves Elvis and I guess that it rubbedoff on Chad,” his dad added. When Chad, Jr. was nine, he attended a special needs camp in Burnsville. The program had a talent show, so he decided to perform in it as Little Elvis. And he won! Well, all the kids who perform - win, but that was all Chad shows off Elvis’ signature moves. it took for Chad of attention. to get the perforWhen Elvis impersonmance “bug”. After that, ator Travis Powel perhe began performing at formed at the Isothermal the Life Enrichment CenCollege Kidney Foundater whenever possible. In tion Benefit, he asked Chad those days, he had to use Gunter, Jr. be his personal paste-on sideburns. bodyguard. It was an honor In addition to the Life to be included. Enrichment Center, Chad “Chad had a great has also performed at Sumshow,” his dad said, mit Place. Recently White speaking of Thursday’s Oak Manor even requested performance. “He put a lot that he visit there. His perSee Gunter, Page 7A formances are getting lots
DON’T FORGET YOUR DANCING SHOES– Beach music fans can shag the day into the summer night with music at Kings Mountain’s Beach Blast on August 25th. The event will be held at Patriot’s Park. Photos provided by Christy Conner
BeachBlast ten days away! By Loretta Cozart The water, the sand, the sun, the music and the fun – that’s life along the Grand Strand! On Saturday, August 25th, Kings Mountain, NC will feel more like Ocean Drive, as the City brings the beach experience downtown to Patriots Park. BeachBlast will begin at 10 am and beach music fans can shag into the summer night with some of the hottest bands in the South. Plan to spend the day in Kings Mountain and enjoy some free family fun! Activities will include Inflatables, Bubble Play, Rotary Splash Pad, contin-
uous rounds of Water Wars, a Woodie car show, watermelon eatin’ contest, Tiny Tots and Teenie Bikini Contest, and the Big Beach Ball Drop. Performance and Event times: Liberty Falls Stage 10:00 am - Festival Opens • Mr. Mink, Mark Blanton • Dance music with Captain Ron 11:00 am - Concert – “The Swingin’ Medallions” 1:00 pm - Concert – “Too MUCH Sylvia” 4:00 pm - Concert – “Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot 7:00 pm - Concert – “Blackwater Rhythm & Blues”
10:00 pm - Fireworks Finale The Gazebo Stage 10:00 am - Festival Opens • Tiny Tots & Teenie Bikini Registration • Registration Opens at 10:00am, registration closes at 11:30am Fun Zone 10:30 am - Performance by Dance Magic 11:00 am - Bubble Play provided by Kid Senses 11:45 am - Performance by Dance Magic 12:00 noon - Tiny Tots & Teenie Bikini Contest 1:00 pm - Beach Ball Drop See BEACHBLAST Page 3A
Back-to-school for teachers By Loretta Cozart Teachers return to school today, Wednesday, August 15 and another school year has begun. The first day of class for students is August 27. Students will notice some staffing changes at both Kings Mountain Middle School and Kings Mountain High School this year. Dr. Dustin Morehead Morehead is the new principal at KMMS and Tandra Ramsey is the new Assistant Principal of Discipline at Zuniga KMHS. While Ramsey is the new in her role at the high school, as a 1992 graduate, she is very familiar
with the facility. She earned her BA in Liberal Studies from Limestone College and her MA in School Administration at Gardner-Webb University. She has served as Assistant Principal at both James Love Elementary and Graham Elementary in Shelby. When asked what makes her most excited to go to work every day, Ramsey responded, “If you've ever sat down and talked to a young person, you'll realize that they're creative, intuitive, passionate and FUN! Who wouldn't want to be around that everyday? People talk about going into education to inspire our youth, but for me, it's so that I can be inspired. It is a privilege to serve in a community with such deep traditions of excellence. I am truly humbled to be at KMHS.” Two new classroom teachers at the high school include Natasha Zuniga and Sarah Gaddis. Zuniga teaches Spanish and received her B.A. in Economics and Spanish from Smith College in Northampton, MA. Zuniga explains her unique background saying, “For a year I taught overseas at an English-immersion
kindergarten in Seoul, South Korea. I also developed and ran a sensory-motor program at River Gate Elementary School in the CMS school system. Last year I served as an interim teacher at Kings Mountain Middle School.” Sarah Gaddis is the new Athletic Trainer at the high school and teaches Physical Education and Health. She is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University, where she earned a BS in Athletic Training in 2010. Since then, she has served as an Athletic Trainer at various schools, including Ashbook, Southpoint, and East Gaston. “I tore my MCL in my junior year of high school playing soccer. As a result, I missed 17 of 21 matches that season. My high school Athletic Trainer made sure I understood what was going on during every step of my rehab. I was fascinated with anatomy and how the human body can fix itself. “It makes sense that I went into an Athletic Training career, because I have a nurturing side. I want the kids to know that I’ll be there for them on the sidelines. I want them to know someone will be there to take care of them,” Gaddis said.
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Backwater Rhythm and Blues Band will perform at the Kings Mountain BeachBlast on Saturday, August 25, at 7:00 p.m. See page 3A for a line-up of all the performing bands. Photo provided
American Legion World Series August 16-21 in Shelby By Loretta Cozart The American Legion World Series is this week at Veterans Field and Keeter Stadium in Shelby. Every day of the series, special events are scheduled. Each day provides an opportunity to enjoy baseball, spend quality time with friends and family, and take time to honor our veterans. It is as American as hot dogs, baseball, and apple pie. August 16 – Games Begin Senior Citizens Day! Seniors receive Free Admission. Canned goods and
other nonperishable food items will be collected for the Leona Neal Senior Center food pantry. August 17 – Games Continue Salute to Academic Achievement Day – Students who participated in special summer academic courses receive a tournament pass courtesy of a sponsor. August 18 – Games Continue USAA Military Appreciation Day – all veterans will receive free admissions. Prior to the 1 p.m. American Legion Riders
will be honored, Jim “Doc” McCloughan will be honored prior the 4 p.m. game, prior to the 7:30 p.m. game all veterans will march onto the field by branch of service and we will honor women veterans at a special ceremony at home plate. August 19 – Games Continue Salute to medical personnel; members of the medical community admitted FREE. August 20 – Games Continue (Semifinals) Youth Athletic Day! See ALWS, Page 7A
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703 E. Kings St., Suite 9, Kings Mountain • www.BakerDentalCare.com