Over 20 years experience!
Call for an appointment today! 704.473.4048 786 Bell Rd., Kings Mountain
Volume 129 • Issue 25
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Homesley back in Ferguson role Jeremy Homesley returns to the role of Major Patrick Ferguson in ‘Liberty M o u n - HOMESLEY tain’, this summer’s fourth season of the Revolutionary War drama by Robert Inman and presented by the Kings Mountain Little Theatre and Patrick Yarn Mills at Joy Theatre. Opening night is Friday at 7:30 p.m. with performances this weekend on Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7:30 pm. and Sunday, June 25
City, county boards approve budgets City and county budgets have been approved by their respective boards for the fiscal year 2017-18. By unanimous vote, Kings Mountain city council approved the operating budget Monday night which includes no increase in property taxes and no increases in any city services. Prior to the public hearing on the budget Mayor Scott Neisler presented a proclamation and key to the city via video to Jim Belt and afterwards the mayor visited Belt and his wife at their home. City Manager Marilyn Sellers took the occasion to praise a proactive staff, department heads, the mayor and city council for making hard decisions “to get us to where we are today. Sellers said the city is in good financial position and $100,000 is budgeted for the second year for a pay study to bring employees up to market standards via a “step’’ program. Outside professional agencies have assisted in the process and all city employees have been identified where they place in the market and 70 percent have been addressed in the current budget. County employees will receive a 3 percent raise in the budget recently adopted by Cleveland County commissioners. There is no increase in ad valorem property taxes of 57 cents per $100 of property valuation for county residents. Landfill fees will go up 15 percent with a 12 percent increase in household fees. This year’s budget includes a 10 percent increase in occupancy tax. Cleveland County See BUDGETS, Page 7A
at 3 p.m. A total of four weekends of performances is planned plus a July 4 performance at 3 p.m. Homesley, 30, played “Silas Marner” in last season’s production but is thrilled to play for a third year the role of the Scottish Officer in the British Army who aggressively recruited Loyalists and harshly treated Patriot sympathizers which led to a Patriot militia uprising against him in the 1780 military campaign of Charles Cornwallis during the American Revolutionary War which ended with his death on Oct. 7, 1780 in the Battle of Kings Mountain. See HOMESLEY, Page 7A
kmherald.com • 704-739-7496
75¢
Fourth season in Kings Mountain
Revolutionary drama opens Friday ‘Liberty Mountain’ returns to the Joy Performance Center Friday night for a four-weekend run and its fourth season in Kings Mountain. An opening night party, for which tickets are $100, will be held at 5:30 p.m. The evening performance starts at 7:30 p.m. The City of Kings Mountain will once again make a limited number (300) of $10 coupons available. They are available only by request by visiting KM City Hall, Mauney Memorial Library or Kings Mountain Historical Museum during normal business hours for each location. You may request a maximum of four coupons.
The coupons will also be available at the Joy box office through Thursday, June 22 from 5-7 p.m. The coupon can’t be combined with any other discount offer. Caleb Sigmon, director, and Bob Inman, playwright, predict this season will be the best ever. Audiences this summer will be treated to new aspects of the drama written by Robert (Bob) Inman. Director Caleb Sigmon and Inman have worked together to fine tune the script to fit the cast each summer and this year have incorporated a set redesign, more music, and new set projection technology to enhance the already entertaining and
powerful story. They say that even if you have been able to attend previous seasons, you don’t want to miss this one which promises to be the best yet. Sixty-plus actors and actresses from a wide area will bring the story of the 1780 Revolutionary War Battle of Kings Mountain and
the people caught up in the struggle for independence to the Joy Theater stage in a dramatic action-packed presentation that brings the Battle of Kings Mountain to life. From your seat in the theatre you will be in the center of the action, in the See DRAMA, Page 7A
KM July 4th events A sense of family Celebrating Independence Day is always a patriotic event in Kings Mountain, and this year is no exception! The community is invited to the Revolutionary 4th Red, White & BOOM Celebration on Tuesday, July 4th at the Walking Track Park, 211 Cleveland Avenue, Kings Mountain. The festivities will begin at 5 p.m., and there is something for everyone. In honor of the turning
point of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Kings Mountain (fought just south of town) a scene from “Liberty Mountain – The Revo-
By Robert Inman For young Kings Mountain actor Seth Chappell, “Liberty Mountain” is a journey SETH CHAPPEL into the past. Seth, 15, is a descendant of one of the men who fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 17, 1780. And for Seth, being a member of the talented cast of the fourth season production is an opportunity to relive that era on stage and, at
lutionary Drama”, written by Bob Inman will be performed. New this year is the Kid’s Zone, which will include a large inflatable, drum circle, and activities from the Scrap Exchange. The Loch Norman Pipe Band will lead a pre-fireworks parade. Wear your dancing shoes and dance and sing along with live music featuring the Dukes & Smith Band and Southern See 4TH EVENTS, Page 7A
the same time, step outside himself. Seth and his family have been steeped in the history of the battle all their lives. He remembers as a young child hearing about his ancestor Isaac Wells – a man with Patriot sympathies who was captured by British major Patrick Ferguson and forced to join Ferguson’s Loyalist force. But family lore has it that at the height of the savage fight, Isaac saw his chance to escape and joined the Patriots and was part of their stunning victory. The Revolutionary War era homestead See FAMILY, Page 7A
JOINT BOARDS ANNOUNCE GRANT - Mauney Memorial Library board of directors and directors of Kings Mountain Historical Museum announced a grant this week for $49,605 from Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA). Pictured, left to right, Marie Brinkley, Library Director Sharon Stack, Lynn Eskridge, Priscilla Mauney, Anna Lineberger, Susan Champion and Paul Ingram, all Mauney Memorial Library directors. At right, from left, Mayor Scott Neisler, City Councilman Curtis Pressley, Dr. Jeff Mauney, Adria Focht, Kings Mountain Historical Museum Director, Mike Kidder, Robert Curry, Mary Lou Ware, Dr. Bruce Boyles, and Don Crawford, all directors of Kings Mountain Historical Museum.
Museum, Library Win $49K grant The Mauney Memorial Library and Kings Mountain Historical Museum announce the award of a $49,605 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant. The proposed project is intended to increase access to and use of the holdings of the library and the museum by building the technological capacity and supplying the manpower needed to digitize local historical collections. The grant will provide the required equipment and supplies, such as
computers and a networked server, and will allow employment of one full-time and one part-time staff member for eight months to complete the scanning, photographing, and record improvements needed to complete the project. The online collections catalog that will result from this grant will focus on the resources that are most relevant to this community, offering easy access to accurate digital records of the photographs, archives, and objects that represent
For Dental Implants Locally Here In Kings Mountain
Baker Dental Care Preventative, Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry
the cultural heritage of this region. This project meets the mission-critical goals of the library, the museum, and LSTA by improving the public’s ability to discover information and to obtain information resources, thus supporting lifelong learning and education in our community. Museum Director Adria Focht states, "Collections accessibility is a mission-critical core value at the heart of what we offer to the public at Kings Mountain Historical Museum. While
our collections continue to grow with new acquisitions, our exhibit space remains limited. This means that an increasing percentage of our collection is not accessible to the public, despite visitor demand for access to these resources. Online access to the collections held by KMHM as well as the Mauney Memorial Library will be a great benefit to the students and life-long learners of this community, enabling them to browse and research our collections of original historical pho-
tographs and archives that reflect this region’s unique cultural heritage and identity. Publishing our collections content online will also extend our reach to an international audience, improving all users’ ability to discover information and to obtain information resources only available through our holdings. This project will also digitally preserve our collection, ensuring that valuable historical information is secure in perpetuity."
Just a few benefits of Dental Implants: • Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. • Improved speech. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that your dentures might slip. • Improved self-esteem. Smile again and feel better about yourself. • Durable. Implants are very durable and with proper care, can last a lifetime. To find out more about Dental Implants and schedule your next appointment
call us at 704-739-4461
703 E. Kings St., Suite 9, Kings Mountain • www.BakerDentalCare.com