Foothills Spotlight Sept/Oct 2010

{ No. 16 } Sept/Oct 2010

H E L P I N G Y O U E X P E R I E N C E , E X P L O R E , L E A R N & L I V E I N T H E F O O T H I L L S

Bestof the

FoothillsAs decided by you at

www.FoothillsSpotlight.com[ you voted – we published ]

Plus: Smith’s Drug - Nostaligia With A KickMore Fair for EveryoneA Strong Voice for the People

it’s a brand new day at the

Cleveland County Fair

ClevelandCountyFair.comSept. 30 - Oct. 9, 2010

pig racin’,featuring...

Oct. 9

ELVIS

Financial Planning

Income Tax

Fee Only Investment Advice

Registered Investment Advisor

Certified Public Accountants

Your Trusted Advisor

704.482.2001 | GRAGGANDGRAGG.COM

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com2 Foothi l ls Spot l ight Jan/Feb 2010

Cleveland County’s First Choice in HealthCareEvery Patient,

Every Day, Always

Cleveland Regional Medical Center : 980-487-3000Kings Mountain Hospi ta l : 980-487-5000www.ClevelandCountyHeal thCareSystem.org

Cleveland Regional Medical Center has been providing state-of-the-art cancer care to patients for more than 30 years. One of the first in the region to be certified by the American College of Surgeons, the Blumenthal Cancer Center at CRMC offers a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment and patient care. Specially trained radiation therapists, oncology nurses and others support board-certified medical and radiation oncologists and surgeons. Together, they work with patients and families to provide quality care and excellent service.

For more information, please call 980-487-3724

Cancer Treatment That’s Close to Home

CCHSad-FoothillsSpotlight.indd 1 8/6/2010 1:48:46 PM

Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.

Bo Bennett

Proud to be the official Marketing Partner of the Cleveland County Fair

72

{ features }

23astrongvoice WalterDaltonmakesa differenceforthepeopleof NorthCarolina

30morefairforeveryone Alookatwhatmakesthe ClevelandCountyFaironeof akind34findingtreasure inthewoods FrankBarrow,takespieces ofwoodanduseshiscreativity totransformthemintoart

39bestofthefoothills Thewinnersofyour“Bestof” votingfor2010

50nostalgiawithakick Nestledonatree-lined thoroughfarerunningthrough theheartoftownisadrugstore fromyesteryear,Smith’sDrug

65 community involvmentbreeds success Learnhowacollaborative approachofbusinessleaders gavestudentsarealworld experience

contents

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com

presidentJeff Champion

publisherEbbie Champion

editorMark Alan Hudson

creativedirectorJD Ledford

graphicsMike BencivengoWendy CobbNikki CookDee Counter-GriffisJD LedfordPeter Von PfahlApril Hoyle Shauf

writersBill CameronRev. Crystal ChampionJudy GaultneyBryon GraggMark Alan HudsonKimberly P. JohnsonBob MoriWade NicholsKatherine Panther-PotemkinGilda PruittPaula VessSkip WarrickTrey WarrickLynn Zook

sportsdirectorSam Davis

photographersErin Cooke Robin KingThe Victorian Rose Studio

photojournalistRusty Patterson

operations/salesKim Davis

salesstaffSam DavisKatherine Panther-Potemkin

websitedesignMatt Miller

Foothills Spotlight is a publication ofCHAMPIONCOMMUNICATIONSPO Box 1726Shelby, NC 28151704.466.3847info@foothillsspotlight.comfoothillsspotlight.com

Sept/Oct2010

23 53 { be sure to see }

8welcome BestoftheFoothills

10 viewpoint Beunreasonable

12 lifecoaching Tipsforsparkingapositive self-image

14amazingmind Holdon

16 kidspeak Bestwaystohelpchildren blowoffsteam

18 intheyard Thebestoffallgardening

20financialperspectives Thebestwaytoachieve financialpeaceofmind

70 insidethedome AlookinsidetheCourthouse Domerevealsaniconicbell

74 reflections Perspectives

53workingonthe chaingang Whatitislikeworkingonthe sidelinesatafootballgame

57flashback AlookbackatTommyLondon andhismanyathleticexploits

58missionaccomplished HowtheEastRutherford Cavaliersbroughthomethe 2010NCHSSA2AStateBaseball Championship

60 fab5 Learnaboutfiveexceptional athletesfromthefoothills

Sept/Oct2010Foothi l ls Spot l ight 7

beginsonpg.53

MEMBERS OF:

ClevelandWomen’sNetwork

contents

5353{ be sure to see }39

30

{ welcome }Well, the dog days of Au-gust are behind us, the kids are in school and the end of summer is fast approach-ing. That means that a lot of great

events in the Foothills are just around the corner. It means events like the Cleveland County Fair, our state’s largest county fair, will be here before you know it. And we’ve got it covered for you here. Some say our fair is one of the “best” county fairs they’ve ever attended. I’ve been to quite a few in my years here and I have to say, it is

special indeed. That “best” moniker turns out to be a major theme of this special issue of Foot-

hills Spotlight. In addition to our regular col-umns, you will find a detailed wrap-up of the voting results for our “best of” contest in the

Foothills, ranging from dining and recreation options, arts and entertainment ven-ues, personal and professional services, shopping and even things that are unique to the place we call home. Our feature articles cover some interesting terrain, including a visit with our Lieu-tenant Governor, Walter Dalton and his wife Lucille. The Lt. Gov. invited us to sit down with them during one of their infrequent visits home and shared stories about his life in politics and the things he hopes to accomplish in his role. We came away feeling proud that he is from the Foothills area. We also got the clear picture that he has a lot he wants to accomplish before he comes home for good. We’ve also got a couple of short stories on some Foothills treasures. In each case, the subject makes you think about the joy of simple pleasures. You know we love our sports here in the Foothills. This month, we’re treating you to a few stories that might make you say, “Hey, I never knew that!” Plus, you’ll still be treated to some highlights of local athletes and a special item on some recent state champions. While this is our “best of” issue, we figure we could do this for almost every issue because we live in a very special place. Sure, we love to visit other spots both near and far, but this is the place we get to call home. And that’s always the best.

...a lot of great eventsare just around

the corner...

Want Foothills Spotlight Magazine delivered to your door?

~ $20.00 for a year subscription ~To subscribe go to

www.foothillsspotlight.com

Pura vida,

Mark Alan HudsonEDITOR

This pricing does not apply to any other discounts or insurance.

PROGRESSIVEPACKAGE

Frame up to $124

Standard Essilor Natural

Factory Scratch Coating

$208

PROGRESSIVEPACKAGE #2

Frame up to $124

Standard Varilux Comfortor Ellipse


$255CHILDREN’S PACKAGE

Package includes frame, polycarbonate lenses, scratch resistant

coating, anti-reflective coating, and a one year one time

replacement warranty.

$15999

SINGLE VISIONPACKAGE

Frame up to $124

Standard Lenses


$135Also available in

Polycarbonate $151

BIFOCALPACKAGE

Frame up to $124

Standard FT-28 Bifocals


$150Also available in

Polycarbonate $181

704-482-6767 | www.ShelbyEyeCenters.com

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com Sept/Oct 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 9 www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com Sept/October 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 9

Cleveland Country Club1360 East Marion StreetShelby, North Carolina

Seasonal Family Pool Membership - $400 (May 1st-Sept 30th)

Annual Individual Golf Membership - $800 (Access until April 1, 2011)

For more informa�on, call 704-482-1711 or email us at [email protected]

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Foothills Ad.ai 4/18/2010 12:00:19 PM

Annual Individual Golf Membership - $600 (Access until April 1, 2011)

For more information, call 704-482-1711 or email us at [email protected]

Annual Individual Golf Membership - $600

(Access until April 1, 2011)

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com10 Foothi l ls Spot l ight Sept/Oct 2010

foothillsviewpoint WORDS JEFF CHAMPION

I hope you enjoy this issue of Foothills Spot-light which highlights a sampling of the “Best of” from our area. As we worked on the issue, we often remarked about the qualities that it takes to become the “best of” anything. It absolutely takes hard work. Sometimes a bit of good fortune is involved. But it also takes vision and a dedication to pursuing that vision. And that, as well as Lynn Zook’s “Amazing Mind” column in this issue, reminded me of my own vision for the magazine. Just a couple of years ago, a colleague told me, “Jeff, you’re just too optimistic.” While that may sound silly, I think his point was that I wasn’t being realistic. At that time we were in the early stages of this continuing foul economy and we were discussing the possibility of my new project, Foothills Spotlight Magazine. To further defend my pessimistic friend, the early editions were less magazine and more just paper

stapled together, at least in his opinion. He didn’t see what I saw. He judged it at face value, and if I had allowed him to influence me, my dream would likely have ended there. Fortunately for me, I did have some people who shared my vision and together we continued our journey. The most important person from the start in this endeavor has been my wife, who is also my business partner. As we progressed from issue to issue, our family of believ-ers continued to grow. It seemed every week there was someone new wanting to get involved, and the amaz-ing thing was how talented and passionate they were. Everyone -- employees and readers alike-- seemed to share our vision. Since our beginning we have striven to improve and to grow. With the support of friends, family and our team, we have achieved more than most thought we could or

would. This year alone, our magazine has grown from four issues to six. Our circulation has grown and the size of the magazine itself has grown. This issue, covering our “Best of” theme, marks another first for us as we are delivering it with an enamel cover. All of this is to say that sometimes, YOUR vision is the only one that matters. I encourage you to ignore the naysayers that want to slap you back to reality and even those kind hearted and good intentioned souls who want to “protect” you. Be overly optimistic, continue to dream, and most importantly, try to find people who are willing to share that dream with you. In the words of George Bernard Shaw, “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in try-ing to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”

The expressed opinions do not necessarily represent the opinions of our advertisers. We welcome your comments and opinions. Send them to: Viewpoint, c/o Foothills Spotlight, PO Box 1726, Shelby NC 28151. Or [email protected]

Be Unreasonable!

Convenience in one locationand under one roof.We provide the convenience of everything in one location and under one roof. Our services include: Primary Care, Endocrinology Associates, Gaston Neurology, CaroMont Rehab and Sports Medicine, Speectrum Labs, X-Ray - Ultrasounds - Echocardiogram, Sleep health, and a Diabetic Center. Our of�ce is located in the CaroMont Professional Building from 8 am to 8 pm. Call today to make an appointment: 704-484-8001.

520 N Dekalb St, Shelby NC

Providers:Dr. Robert Jones, Jr.

Dr. Mary JonesDr. Christopher Denning


Gail Bell704-472-4087

Don Costner704-472-8052

Stan Martin704-692-0043

George Blue704-460-8101

Linda Ford704-472-7674

Barbara Moore704-418-1919

Donna Connor704-471-9378

Carol Schenck704-692-8688

Straight Talk from

Proven Professionals

www.allentate.com

Some things never change...Real Estate does. Let us bring you up to date.


lifecoaching {be well, healthy & happy}

WORDS KATHERINE PANTHER-POTEMKIN

SELF-IMAGE ENCOMPASSES A LOT OF THINGS... abilities, lack of abilities, successes, failures, social interaction, and physical appearance, to name, a few. For children and adolescents, physical appearance is a major factor in social acceptability and self-value. Psychological research shows that there is widespread prejudice against the unattractive and obese, so much so that even children as young as the age of 5 identify attractive people as those who are thin. Children, bombarded with media messages equat-ing being thin with being happy, become particularly vulnerable as they enter adolescence with its numer-ous bodily changes. They become preoccupied with their bodies, constantly evaluating the appearance of self and others. The smallest flaw becomes an obsession and a negative difference that can mean non-acceptance by self and others. The explosion of adolescent eating disorders among both girls and boys since the 1980s indicates that the “right” look certainly matters! It’s important as a parent to help your children build positive self-esteem. But within a culture that praises attractiveness, how can you help them see them-selves positively in all aspects? Here are some tips for sparking an all-encompassing positive self-image. • Love your children unconditionally. Unconditional love, especially during difficult times, delivers an “I’m OK” belief. • Help your children interpret the media by sharing viewing and reading time and discussing what you each see and read. • Hug them frequently. It helps provide them with a sense of security, protection and comfortableness with their own bodies. • Compliment their positive characteristics and unique features. Often uniqueness causes feelings of differentness and unattractiveness. Make compliments specific and communicate the specialness of each child. • Help your children list positives about themselves and tape the list to their mirrors. • Give them things other than physical looks as a source of pride. At the end of the day, have them recount something they did, said or thought that made them feel self-pride. • Emphasize what their bodies do for them rather than how they look by encouraging

physical activities. If they are physically active, their bodies will be more fit, and success or pleasure in physical activities boosts pride and self-image. • Develop regular avenues for family fun time. Share some of your interests with your children and include them in community activities that expose them to a varied population. Doing so will help them find their niche. • Spend time talking with your children, listening to their thoughts and ideas without judgment, criticism or advice (unless it’s requested) and sharing your thoughts and ideas. • Provide opportunities for them to communicate feelings and teach them to respect rather than hide their feelings. • Prepare children in advance for new situations, events and changes by discussing what they might expect as well as what and who will be involved. • Encourage independence and help develop their sense of responsibility by assigning tasks. Make sure they have the abilities and tools necessary to successfully complete what you have asked them to do. Teach them with patience, and break large responsibil- ities into smaller sequenced tasks to increase their sense of control. • Teach your children positive coping strategies to deal with stress. Consider techniques such as exercising, deep breathing and asking others for help. • Try not to transfer your anxiety or uncertainty to your children. Learn and utilize stress management techniques yourself! • Maintain your own positive self-image. If yours is low, don’t be ashamed. Admit it and take action to change it. Your children will learn from your actions. It is true that your influence on your children is only one influence. Friends, media and culture influence them as well, sometimes with more force than you do. Rest assured though that if most of your interac-tions with your children communicate love, accep-tance and pride, and if you are a positive role model for self-love and self-acceptance, you will contribute a strong foundation for their positive self-image.

Best Tips for Sparking A Positive Self-Image

Katherine Panther-Potemkin,Account Executive with

Champion Communications and a business consultant,

trainer and coach.

...It’s important as a

parent to help your children

build positive self-esteem...

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com Sept/Oct 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 13 www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com July/August 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 13

Continue the Winning Tradition

Re-Elect

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Re-ElectRe-Elect

Winning

Shelby, Cleveland County, North Carolina

Paid for by Re-Elect Holbrook Campaign Committee


theamazingmind {dream maker}

WORDS LYNN ZOOK

Hold OnI HOPE THAT SOME OF YOU WHO follow my column have put fear, negativity and what other people think of you aside and have started trying to live your dreams.The reward will be incredible and you will have no regrets as you look back upon your life.

Living your dreams, while incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, is still not an easy task. It takes a lot of intestinal fortitude, patience, determination and personal courage. Nothing as great as realizing your dream ever comes easily. You will run in to all kinds of obstacles and naysayers, especially among your family and friends, who won’t think what you are doing is worth the effort required. These dream killers are probably more concerned about themselves and what they may have to give up than about you actually achieving your dream. These people may be spouses or children, parents or in-laws. They may try to put pressure on you to end your dream. “Don’t forsake your (our) present to have what you want in the future” is commonly heard from those closest to you. If your desire is strong enough, you will be willing to sacrifice everything, but they don’t want to have to sacrifice for you to achieve your dream. This is one of the things that makes reaching a dream so tough. You may have invested your savings to achieve your desire for a better tomorrow. You may have borrowed money or run up your credit cards in the pursuit of achieving your dream. If so, you may have creditors now calling you saying you must pay and annoying you with constant calls that will make you want to give up on your dream, just to pay off your balance. When the road you want to travel becomes rough, you must make a choice on whether or not to persist without exception to achieve what you want in life. It is truly a difficult road, and that is why most people never realize their dreams. These pit-falls can derail the toughest of humans in search of what they have always wanted.

Your dream may appear very close but sometimes it may seem as you take one step forward, things happen and you take two steps back. You must have the will to push on. Look at all of the people you know in our world who are truly living their dreams. What did they go through? What obstacles did they overcome? Lance Armstrong overcame cancer. Doctors told him they could cure the cancer but he would never ride a bike again. He refused to listen to them. Donald Trump overcame bankruptcy – twice. Walt Disney overcame the theft of his first character and the loss of his best artist. They all pushed on. Too many people quit because of obstacles they think they can not overcome. Focus on the dream and don’t let anything deter you from what you want in life. The difference between success and failure is often small and sometimes simply comes down to the ability to persist and hold on when things look their worst. A verse from one of my favorite poems, “IF,” by Rudyard Kipling says it best: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: ’Hold on’! … Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it! Have the will and hold on to achieve your dreams. It is your amazing mind and you are in control!

...She had waited so long

in her life to do what she

had always wanted to do...

Lynn lives in Waxhaw, is married to Jill and has two daughters.


Almost anything you need made out of wood,

704-487-5263 • www.clevelandlumbercompany.com

Almost anything you need made out of wood,

We can do it!We can do it!Ted Dedmon has 30+ years of experience. Each member of his

team offers 20+ years experience.

314 S. Post Road Shelby, NC 28152phone: 704-480-0905www.hamricksproduce.co

Hamrick's ProduceA Family Tradition

Little Debbie 2 Rescue

[email protected]

3 Experienced 3Insured & Bonded

3Affordable!

Office & Residential Cleaning



kidspeak {happy journeys}

WORDS KIMBERLY P. JOHNSON

IN TODAY’S SOCIETY, THE dynamics of the relationship between parent/caregiver and child has changed. Many years ago the child was “seen and not heard.” However, today parents have a different connection with their children. Most parents want to hear what their children have to say while at the same time helping them understand that we sometimes live in a chaotic or even confusing world. Along with chaos comes frustration – and frustration, as we know, can sometimes breed anger. Help your children explore options on how to best release some of their anger and frustration in a positive way. Children need to blow off a little steam at times, too! Children can be taught alternatives to living in chaos. For example, instead of kicking a toy when they cannot have their way, teach them to pick up the toy and tell the toy why they are mad. Communication is the biggest key to handling the load that emotions can bring. We often see and read about people who handle anger in outrageous ways. From irrational behavior to crime, some people do not know what to do with their anger issues; this gives us even more of a reason to find ways to get anger out of the system. Children can blow off steam by getting active, playing a game, reading, listening to a story or even laughing. Yes, making children laugh can help them ease through their moments of anger. Parents should remember that sometimes video games, if they are of violent nature, can add to anger issues as opposed to relieving them, so choose activities carefully. In reality, we don’t have all of the answers as to how to prevent our children from ever getting angry or needing to vent. Moreover, research tells us that it isn’t healthy to bottle up emotions. This suppression can create stress at a young age and also lead to early-onset health problems. For more information about the subject, refer to the following Web site: http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/blow-off-steam-to-protect-your-brain-and-your-heart-713465.html. Parents can help their children deal with “over-load” by focusing on the following techniques: • Make sure that your children follow a good

exercise and eating regime. When children are healthy, they can deal with situations and stress a lot better. Keeping exercise as an important part of the day can help prepare the emotional system for change and stress- related situations. • If possible, identify the source of anger and try to alleviate it. It is important to look at situations and try to figure out how they occurred. Have your children re-enact what created that particular moment. • Give one or two options on how to handle the anger. For example, ask them questions such as, “Do you need to take a few minutes to sit down and relax?” or “Is there anything I can do to help you not feel mad?” • Ask children to stop the negative behavior associated with their anger. Sometimes we take for granted that eliminating adverse behavior, generated by anger, can be rectified by just asking children to stop. • Provide immediate feedback. Don’t wait until the next day to ask why your child was angry the day before. It is best to address issues as they occur and try to offer ideas that will help the child deal with feelings immediately. Children often live what they learn. Anger strate-gies can be addressed by example. We are all human and children may sometimes see us lose our temper and do things that we shouldn’t. Words sometimes fly out of our mouths before we can catch them. We have to learn how to work on our own reactions to situations before the frustration becomes uncontrollable anger. We defi-nitely want our children to know that it is OK to get angry sometimes – it’s what we do after that really counts! Children may get angry at not having their way, at peers or even at parents or other adults. While helping our children deal with releasing their anger, we should serve as a support mechanism and sounding board. For the future of our children, the best plans lie in our abilities to communicate effectively and create systems that will allow stress and overload to be replaced with harmony. Happy Journeys. . . .

...Communication is the

biggest key to handling

the load that emotions bring...

Best Ways to Help Children Blow Off Steam

Kimberly is an accomplished children’s book author, speaker, motivator and educator. She has

written 12 children books and has even been an invited guest to the White House to read her works at the annual Easter Egg Hunt.

View more of Kimberly’s work visit SimplyCreativeWorks.com

Harmony Danita Carpenter – “blowing off a little steam”


It’s All In The

BAG

Come Check Out Our Collections!

The Miche Bag®

Black, Brown & Cream Bases With Changeable CoversSmall, medium and large sizes

Lindsay Phillips Switchflops & Ballet Flats

With Changeable Snaps & Straps

Tuesday - Friday 11am-5:30pm, Saturday 10am-4pm102 E. Main Street, Forest City, NC 828-248-2100

439 N. Church St., Hendersonville, NC 828-696-9868

It’s All In The

BAGBAG• Designer Inspired

Sunglasses• Alexa’s Angels

Jewelry• Donna Sharp

Collection Home Decor Items

• Coach Bags & Scarfs• Vecceli Leather

Handbags

JAFRA... Come in for a FREE facial

Donna Sharp Quilted Handbag Colection

Hello! I’mTracy Walkerand I’ll be onevery job -

Guaranteed!!

All offers expire 8/31/10

704-651-2500Call Today!

www.walkerscc.com

3 Rooms$99.95

Call for Details

WholeHouse

Single Story$149.95

Whole HouseTwo Story$189.95

Before

After

All offers expire 10/31/10


intheyard {happy gardening}

WORDS SKIP & TREY WARRICK

AFTER YET ANOTHER HOT AND dry summer, the fall gardening season is in full swing. As the daytime highs begin to fall, deciduous trees and shrubs begin to turn brilliant reds, yellows and oranges before dropping their leaves for the dormant season. This time of year is excellent for planting in your garden, re-seeding your lawn and enjoying the beautiful fall colors.

IN THE GARDEN Fall is the ideal time to install new plants or opt for a total renovation. Plants installed in the fall are able to grow a better root system because of the warmer soil temperatures and the lack of stress from heat and dry weather. These plants will be established for the spring and require less mainte-nance next summer when the weather turns dry. Do not fertilize newly installed or established plants in the fall because it will encourage new growth, which could be damaged by freezing temperatures later. Reapplying mulch is another consideration during the fall season. Remember to keep mulch away from the base of trees and shrubs and avoid over application. Pruning during late summer or early fall can also result in a flush of new growth that can be damaged by cold weather. It is best not to prune deciduous plants until they are dormant. The only pruning that should be considered is removal of dead wood that may present a hazard. There are many great annuals available for fall plantings. Pansies are the most popular among local gardeners. Sometimes people do not get the most out of their pansies because they wait to plant them until the first cold weather kills their summer annuals. If you wait, the pansies will not have enough time to establish themselves before the temperatures turn cold, resulting in smaller, less vigorous plants. Ornamental kale and cabbage make great fall annuals as well. Garden mums are technically perennials but most of the time they are treated as annuals. Mums work great in containers or in flow-erbeds. After mums have flowered, they can be planted in the garden where they may come back

year after year with just a little care. The important thing to remember is to cut them back during the summer months or they will become leggy shrubs.

LAWN CARE Mid-August through mid-October is the ideal time to consider plugging and re-seeding your lawn. This is a multi-step process that has many benefits. The first step is to aerate the lawn with an aerator or plugger. This process removes small “plugs” or “cores” from the ground that are approximately the diameter of your finger. Plugging is beneficial because it reduces compac-tion in the lawn and provides a place for grass seed and water to enter the soil. This method is different than the old method of “spiking” a yard by using a sharp or blunt object which actually causes soil compaction. Before aerating your yard, be sure to mark any irrigation components, dog fences, etc., so you do not damage them. It is also helpful if the ground is moist. The next step is applying grass seed. As we noted in a column earlier this year, the seed of choice locally is a selection of hybrid fescues with some shade seed (such as blue grass) mixed in. Hybrid fescues tend to have a finer texture and are more disease resistant than other common fescues such as Kentucky-31. The recommended rate of application is typically four-to-six pounds per 1,000 square feet. The final step is applying fertilizer and lime. A soil test can determine the exact needs of the lawn, but if a soil test is not available, then it is very common in the fall to use a 16-8-8 fertilizer. Lime is important to correct the pH of the soil. A pH between 6 and 6.5 is desired for proper nutrient availability. Applying lime is not necessary every year. The fall is a beautiful time of year to enjoy the outdoors. The weather is cool and all the trees are showing their vibrant fall colors. Just remember it is also an excellent time to restore your lawn and install new landscape trees and shrubs. Fall is for planting!

...This time of year

is excellent for planting

in your garden...

The Best of Fall Gardening

The father/son team of Skip and Trey Warrick are the

second and third generations of Warricks operating

Shelby Nursery and Scottree. For more information, call

704-471-1000 or email them at [email protected]

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com Sept/Oct 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 19

www.foothillsspotlight.com

Our mission is to glorify and honor God by reaching out to people with the love of Jesus Christ. At Cleveland Physical TherapyAssociates, we will strive to achieve this by providing exceptional care and by using our resources to promote healing in the lives of our associates, our patients and our community.

Eric VraneshPT, DPT, OCS, SCS, LAT, ATC

Announcing the Opening of our New Location 110-9 West King St.

King Mountain, NC

704-739-5995 Mon. & Wed. 8am-4pm • Tues. & Thurs. 9am-6pm • Friday 8am-2pm


financialperspectives {beyond traditional}

WORDS BRYON GRAGG

FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE MEANS different things to different people. We normally define financial independence as the point when we can make a choice about going to work or not. To achieve financial independence, you must accumulate financial assets, such as stocks, bonds, cash and real estate which can produce a dependable income stream to meet or exceed your lifestyle needs. In accumulating these assets, there are hurdles that need to be overcome, including income taxes, inflation and estate taxes. You must not only build a diversified portfolio of financial assets but also consider risk management as a part of your safety net.

There are two rules for becoming wealthy. Rule number one is to live well below your means while saving money. Rule number two is to always remember rule number one. Building wealth takes discipline, sacrifice, hard work, and most of all – saving money. According to Thomas Stanley, Ph.D., and Thomas Danko, Ph.D., authors of The Millionaire Next Door, “It is seldom luck or inheritance or advanced degrees or even intelligence that enables people to amass fortunes. Wealth is more often the result of perseverance, planning, and, most of all, discipline.”

Some people go through life waiting for the big score, whether it is hitting the lottery, marrying up, waiting to be discovered or writing a bestseller. Others plan and work diligently to achieve financial independence. Another group does nothing, hoping for the best. Do you care to guess which group is more successful?

Hope and faith are nice, but they are not a financial strategy. To achieve financial independence, you must have a plan because it generally doesn’t happen accidentally. In addition to the plan, you must have focus and the diligence to stick with the plan. Everyone’s goals, values and situations are different, and thus every plan will reflect those differences… but there are several cornerstones that will apply to everyone.

One basic cornerstone of a financial plan is development of a safety net. Generally, this is anywhere from 9 to 12 months of living expenses

held in cash reserves. This gives you the security to be able to meet your living expenses for that period of time should you lose your job or are unable to work. If you are retired and living off investments, a cash reserve gives you a cushion should there be a downturn in the markets. With this cushion, you won’t have to sell while your investments are down just to meet your living expenses. The next part of a financial plan is having the appropriate asset allocation. This is one of the most important decisions you make as an investor. You may think security selection and market timing are the primary components driving a portfolio’s performance, but these are only important when combined with a strategic asset allocation policy. Having an allocation that is too conservative can result in you running out of money before you run out of life. Too aggressive and you may wipe out long before you get to retirement. The key is having an allocation that is proper and realistic for your needs and risk tolerance. Debt management is also a vital part of the financial plan. It is important to have a plan to reduce or eliminate your debt. If you currently have debt, the first step is to stop digging and develop a schedule that works for you to eliminate it. A careful review of all your debt will help you to decide where the dollars should be appropriated first. While not all debt is bad, it must be used wisely and managed carefully. Beyond building a diversified portfolio of financial assets, you should also consider risk management in building wealth. A well-designed life, health, disability and other insurance plan is an integral part of building a safety net to ensure financial plan success should unforeseen calamities occur. A review of your insurance policies should answer three questions: First, should you have it at all; second, if you should have it, how much should you have; and lastly, what is the right type of insurance for you. By developing a cash safety net, determining proper asset allocation and appropriately managing your debt and risks, you will have good foundation to put your financial house in order. Add focus and discipline, and you are you well on your way to achieving financial independence.

...there are hurdles

that need to be

overcome...

The Best Way to Achieve Financial Independence

Bryon Gragg, CPA/PFS, is a partner with Gragg&Gragg, LLP,

a firm that goes beyond the traditional to assist you in getting

your financial house in order and keeping it that way.


Bring a four-some,pay for 3 and the4th golfer is FREE

Bring a four-some,pay for 3 and the4th golfer is FREE

$5.00 off Week-endCart Fee

$28 Week-end CouponPresent this coupon

and receive a round ofgolf, a cart and a

cheeseburger, chipsand drink at the turn.

Pine Grove Golf Club“Still the Best Golf Value in the Carolinas!”

Must Present Coupons for Special Offers.No Carts after 6:30 pm. Cash or check only

Check outour Specialsafter 2pmWeekdays!

Weekdays

Play AllDay

$22 Members

$33 Non-Members

Pine GroveGolf Club1108 Costner Road, Shelby, NC

(704) 487-0455Check us out on Facebook www.pinegrovegolfclub.com

STERLING HOUSE® SHELBYPERSONALized Assisted LivingRespect for Individual PreferencesSM

1425 East Marion StreetShelby, North Carolina 28150

(704) 481-0150

PERSONALIZED SUPPORT

WWW.BROOKDALELIVING.COM


www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com22 Foothi l ls Spot l ight Sept/October 2010

Your Full Service Home & Business Solutions Partner!Serving Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln and Rutherfordton Counties Since 1996

Computer Sales & RepairWe also repair Xbox, PS2 and Flat Panels

1241 East Dixon Blvd. • Shelby, NC • 704-482-0057www.painlesspc.net

• Costumes & Rentals• Uniforms

• Custom Embroidery• “Dress-Up”

• Whimsical Hats, Fantastic Masks, and Many Accessories

• All Your Haunted House Needs

Casper’s Closet

2270 US Hwy. 74A Bypass, Ste. 155, Forest City, NC 28043

Phone: 828-245-7715

In the Tri-City Mall

For all your web development and marketing needs.Call 704-466-3847 today to schedule

a FREE consultation.

www.ccagency.net

Champion Web.indd 1 6/30/2010 11:38:54 AM


A Strong Voice: A Strong Voice:

Walter Dalton makes a

difference for the

people of North Carolina

WORDS JUDY GAULTNEY


Energy as a commodity can be bought and sold. As it fuels the heart and mind of a caring human being, its value is extraordinary, priceless, worth more than gold. When Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton tells you that serving the people of North Carolina is not only his full-time job but also his hobby, you believe him. He has a public record to prove it. And Lucille, his wife of 39 years, attests to it, noting that even when he’s at the dinner table she can tell he’s working on a project or writing a speech in his head.

“It’s not all fun and games, but I do enjoy what I do,” Walter says during an interview in his Rutherfordton home. “Service is really my hobby. I stay at it pretty much 24-7.”

“He’s always thinking, always,” Lucille says.Walter’s internal combustion is not the whirling dervish kind; he does not

steamroll to achieve his goals. Rather, he’s a man of research and planning, always with the welfare of the people of North Carolina as his bottom line. During his six terms as a state senator, Walter championed educational, economic, health care and environmental issues and gained a reputation as a competent, proactive public servant.

“I can get passionate about anything that’s positive and good for the people of North Carolina,” he says. That includes, of course, the Innovative Education Act (2003), which he authored, and Learn and Earn, the early college high school program, which has been heralded by Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government as one of the top 50 innovative educational programs in the nation.

Discussing Learn and Earn puts lights in Walter’s eyes and impressive statistics trip easily off his tongue. “The dropout rate in those schools is almost zero. Over 50 percent of those students are first-generation college. A couple or three months ago The New York Times said North Carolina’s early college program is a model for the nation. We have one-third of the early colleges in America today. There are 10,500 students in early college. So the JOBS (Joining Our Businesses and Schools) Commission (which he chairs) is really taking us to the next level, trying to make sure students are ready for 21st century jobs with the skills needed. We’re trying to get businesses more involved with early colleges to actually help teach and mentor, let the teachers work in the businesses during vacation then go back so they’ll have real-world experience.”

As a senator, Walter pushed for tax incentives for areas hit hard by the exit of manufacturing jobs. Within a few weeks of becoming lieutenant governor in 2009, he began traveling the state on small business issues. “Our office is the one that proposed the small business assistance fund to help small businesses during this tough time. We focused on existing small businesses because you have a lot of viable small businesses that are struggling right now but can survive if they get a little bit of help. It’s a loan program that helps them get through the gap time.”

Not to be overlooked is the work it took to secure Chimney Rock as a state park. The private property went up for sale in 2006, and “if we had not been able to get that as a state park, there’s no telling how it might have developed,” Walter says. “I was co-chair of the budget at the time. There was $15 million appropriated in the Senate budget. When it was removed in the House, I had to fight to make sure it got back into the final budget. The governor’s office was very involved, too.” Walter was one of three men instrumental in acquisition of the 996-acre park who earned an award from the National Association of State Park Directors.

Also while he was co-chair of the appropriations committee, Walter championed a $180 million investment by the N.C. General Assembly in the development of the N.C. Cancer Hospital, the state’s only public cancer hospital. The

“I can get passionate about anything that is

positive and good for the

people of North Carolina...”


315,000-square-foot facility in Chapel Hill opened in September 2009 with the latest advances in mammography, ultrasound and imaging modalities.

The lieutenant governor’s primary responsibility is to preside over the State Senate, and the position has no official power beyond voting to break a tie in the Senate. However, the lieutenant governor is a member of the Council of State, the State Board of Education, the Capitol Planning Commission and the Board of Community Colleges, with other duties assigned by the governor. “I think the general public would be surprised at how active a lieutenant governor can be and how much input they can have on public issues,” Walter says. “To a great degree, it’s what you make it. As lieutenant governor, you really don’t have the power of the governor, but you do have a strong voice. You can create your own agenda and make a difference for the people of North Carolina. I chair something the governor put me in charge of called the Logistics Commission, which will study how we move people and goods in a 21st century economy. I sit on the State Board of Community Colleges and the State Board of Education. I’m on the N.C. Economic Development Board. I like those positions because education and the economy go hand-in-hand. There needs to be more cross-pollination between those issues – education and economic development. That’s what the JOBS Commission is about, and sitting on those two commissions, I think I bring a somewhat unique perspective to them.”

Walter’s perspective comes from a lifetime of hard work and determined focus. Born in 1949 to Charles and Amanda Dalton, he grew up in

Rutherfordton. His father died of a heart attack at the early age of 51 when Walter was 8 years old. “The community really raised me because the men in the church and the Rotary Club who had known him took an interest in me,” Walter says.

Lucille, also a Rutherford County native, grew up on a farm with five siblings and parents William Archie and Beatrice Hodge. Walter and Lucille met at R-S Central High School and dated through college while Walter attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Lucille attended Appalachian State University. Walter emerged with a business degree and Lucille earned her teaching credentials. They married in 1971 and lived in Shelby until Walter re-entered UNC Law School, completing his law degree in 1975.

After two years in the federal court system, Walter went into private practice. He worked in local political campaigns and was approached several times about running for office himself. He finally jumped into the political arena in 1996 for a successful run that began his 12 years in the Senate. “I always remembered that my dad served in the North Carolina

a farm with five siblings and parents William Archie

Senate. I knew it was something he was proud of.”Walter is quick to point out that he is not the only family member who has

a record of public service. Lucille taught middle school until their children, Brian and Elizabeth, were born. Later she agreed to finish a term for a Rutherford County School Board member who vacated the position when he moved away. She ended up serving nine years. “She was the first lady ever elected school board chair,” Walter says. “I’m very proud of what she did. In 1998 she was North Carolina’s School Board Member of the Year.”

The Daltons laugh when they recount that they both were on the school board ballot in 1998, with Walter stating, “You talk about a test of marriage; we got through it very narrowly.” They both won seats on the board.

Brian, now 34, lives in Rutherfordton; Elizabeth, 30, lives in Raleigh. Both are married but there are no grandchildren for Walter and Lucille yet. Lucille travels with Walter most of the time, and it’s evident that if she didn’t, she wouldn’t see much of him! His travels take him all over the state and he

sometimes delivers four speeches a day. Walter says he writes 90 percent or more of those speeches.

Extensive travel does create some difficulties. “We got into bad habits with McDonald’s soft-serve ice cream,” Walter says. Lucille adds with a laugh, “We knew the location of every McDonald’s in the state.”

They began their reformation after Walter’s doctor told him he needed to lose weight. Walter’s goal-oriented brain took charge and he dropped 32 pounds between January and July of this year. Now instead of ice cream, the Daltons snack on bread-and-butter pickles and carrots and chew sugarless gum.

You may have noticed that the author of this piece has not mentioned Walter’s political party. During our entire interview, neither did he.

That alone gives you some unique insights into this dedicated and humble servant of our state.



SHELBY222 N. Lafayette St., Suite 24

Shelby, NC 28150Phone (704) 480-8519

Fax (704) 866-0450

GASTONIA649 N. New Hope Road

Gastonia, NC 28054Phone (704) 866-4005

Fax (704) 866-0450

LAKE WYLIE1200 Village Harbor Drive

Lake Wylie, SC 29710Phone (704) 866-4005

Fax (704) 866-0450

For more information, visit www.seplasticsurgery.com

Dr. Benson Timmons, MD, FACSDr. Eric Emerson, MD

Members of the American Society of Plastic SurgerySurgical Center AAAA Certified

Body ContouringFacial SurgeryReconstruction SurgerySkin Care, Licensed AestheticiansFacial Rejuvenation FillersBreast Augmentation and Reduction

Cutera Laser which offers:Superficial Blemish ImprovementHair RemovalVessel Removal

15% off Cosmetic Surgery

$100 off 1st Syringe of Restylane or Perlane

30% off 1st Laser TreatmentAll specials good through October 31, 2010



October 2010 ~ Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Heat Up Your Savings With a Cash Reward Ask A Friend To Join the Credit Union Today!

Refer a friend, family member*, neighbor or anyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in Gaston or Cleveland Counties and Carolina Federal Credit Union will deposit a cash reward into your account! Not only do you get the reward,

but the person you referred will also get a reward into their account too!!Here’s how it works if your referral opens:

• A Share Savings Account = $5.00 Cash Reward• A Checking Account = $5.00 Cash Reward• Obtains a qualifying loan = $10.00 Cash Reward (minimum loan amount $3,000.00)• Obtains a Visa Credit Card = $10.00 Cash Reward (minimum qualified Visa amount of $3,000.00)

It’s easy and simple! Just have your friend come in, click www.carolinafcu.org, or call us at (800) 378-1955 to complete a membership application and open a savings account. Let them experience the Credit Union difference! To get the reward, fill in the form below or call a Customer Service Representative and give them the information. When the account is opened or a loan is approved, we’ll deposit the reward into your account and theirs!! *Family members can be located outside of Gaston and Cleveland counties and still open an account.

Sizzlin way to Heat Up Your Savings today!! ✁

Carolina Federal Credit Union Member Information:

Name: __________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________

Telephone: _______________________________________

E-Mail Address: ___________________________________

Referral Information:

Name: __________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________

Telephone: _______________________________________

E-Mail Address: ___________________________________

1200 East Church Street • Cherryville, NC 28021

704-435-0186www.carolinafcu.org

Anyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school inCleveland or Gaston County can join the credit union and take

advantage of this promotion!


EveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairFairFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairFairFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairEveryoneEveryoneEveryoneFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFair WORDS BOB MORI


Fall. Fair. Fun.A neat alliteration for a time-tested Foothills event made even more interesting and promising with the recent announcement of a new guiding hand for the Cleveland County Fair.

Calvin Hastings, a familiar name to county residents from his many years in local radio, is the recently announced new manager of the Fair and as such will imprint his vision on future activities at the fairgrounds, including the annual county fair, which is one of the largest and longest-running in North Carolina.

Things have not been sitting idle while the search process for the Fair’s new leader was taking place. The 16-person board of directors, including County Commissioner Mary Accor, has been committed to bringing you another great (not just fair!) experience again this year. Board Chair Andy Elmore promises a host of new features and events that should swell the historically crowded turnout for the Fair’s run of Sept. 30 through Oct. 9.

In addition to Mary and Andy, the Fair’s hard-working board includes Marvin Hutchinson, Wanda Webber, John (Doc) Tallent and Lloyd Williams, Jr. (vice chair) as its newest members. Other members include Jim Boggs, Adelaide Craver, Henry Dameron, Rodney Dedmon, Barbara Greene, George Hamrick, Amy Hull, Ervin Lineberger, Scott Neisler (secretary-treasurer) and Sally Royster.

“We celebrate the importance of the agricultural county fair in American society,” Andy explains. “Revisiting our traditions and history is new knowledge for our youngsters and nostalgia for our seniors. We’re more than two generations removed from growing and living on our own food!”

What’s new at the Fair for 2010? For starters, a

new digital sign, prominent behind the grandstand on Marion Street, has been up and running since April, updating the newest Fair information for passersby. A “Milking Parlor” with cows in two stanchions will be added this year to demonstrate how modern dairy farm milking is done professionally. Just so the amateurs don’t feel left out, a sister station will feature a “hands-on” cow milking experience, administered by Burns High School Future Farmers of America students charging a token fee. This event will be unique to the Cleveland County Fair. The Petting Zoo, back for 2010, will feature camel rides along with the pony rides. Five or six camels will be available for those who want to take a “different” type of ride. A new Farm Adventure Barn display will feature ducks, geese, sheep, goats and ponies. Andy is working feverishly to bring back a sow with her litter of piglets. Added identification tags will mark the species at each gate. Exciting bucking bull rides will also be featured this year on the grandstand over the Fair’s first weekend with 40 separate rides including a “short go” for the best professional riders. Also new this year will be internationally known Elvis impersonator, Ryan Pelton, in concert in the Weathers Arena. Some events returning from past fairs include the “Ball of Steel” motorcycle stunt show in the grandstand area and the Beauty Pageant representing all four county high schools. This last event culminates in the popular crowning of “Miss Cleveland County.” Maintenance Manager Wanda Webber, who’s served almost 30 years with the Fair, oversees the day-to-day operations. Wanda, whom Andy claims is the “glue” that holds everything together, reports that the heat has decimated most of the grass at the site, but all that’s needed to the physical plant

before opening day is some fresh paint here and there. “I believe I’m the only female in the whole state that has this title and responsibility for a county fair,” she proudly states. Rounding out the team of on-site operations employees is office manager Paula Tallent who’s been with the Fair for almost three years. She’s the go-to person for day-to-day information about the Fair and its facilities and services. While many in the area know him by name, Bessemer City native Calvin Hastings, who has been an on-air radio personality, station owner and general manager of WOHS radio, and currently acts as sales manager for the family-run What’s Up Shopper tabloid is looking forward to beginning his new role as Fair manager. What excites him about new Fair possibilities? “I want to open up the fairgrounds to more special-event, non-profit groups hosting business meetings, wedding receptions, reunions and other events,” Hastings notes. “Another thing I’d like to see is the development of a covered stage on the already fabulous grandstand to attract more entertainment. I’m open to and invite suggestions from the community to help grow the Fair.” No stranger to things agricultural, Cherryville/Moss Lake resident Calvin grew up on a dairy farm putting up hay and harvesting wheat for silage plus milking up to 50 cows each day. “Going to the fair each year was so exciting for me as a kid,” he explains, “and I want to keep that enthusiasm alive as manager.” With a new manager at the helm and new attractions galore, the Cleveland County Fair – the largest agricultural fair in North Carolina – promises more fun not only this fall but also for many more to come.



For over 35 years, we’ve helped people have a safe home lifewith comfort, independence, and dignity.

• Adult Skilled Care: Our experienced nurses provide care for those with a tracheostomy and/or ventilator, including individuals with ALS,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis, paraplegia or quadriplegia

• Pediatric Skilled Care: Our experienced pediatric nurses manage diversediagnoses and high-tech equipment, and can provide:— tracheostomy, ventilator, disease and catastrophic injury management— child and caregiver education— one-on-one care at school

• Adult and Pediatric Personal Care: Our trained, certified home healthaides provide personal care, including: — bathing, personal hygiene, and dressing— laundry, light housekeeping and meal preparation

Proudly Serving Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln and Rutherford Counties

Adult Home Care: 704-884-7000 | Pediatric Home Care: 704-884-2122 | www.bayada.com

Bayada Nurses; 9.5 x 7.35; 10-82-1456-GAS Foothills spotlight June2010

Accredited byCommunity Health Accreditation Program,the leader in home care accreditation

Home Care with Compassion, Excellence, and Reliability

Office/Admin, AccountingManufacturing, Assembly,Warehouse, Technical,

Skilled Trades, Management

Cleveland, Gaston &Rutherford Counties

TemporaryTemp to HireDirect Hire

704-484-0344

1 E. Marion St. Shelby, NC www.PSUhasJOBS.com

Staffing solutions to increase productivity and lower hiring costs!

New for the Fall -- Leather Wrap Bracelets with Semiprecious StonesDesigned by rachel abroms

309 S. Battleground Ave. Kings Mountain, NC704-730-0013 • [email protected]: Tues. - Fri. 10am - 6pm, Sat. 10am - 4pm

UpSCAle CoNSigNMeNTS, New ACCeSSorieS & More


n a small workshop behind his house in Shelby, Frank Barrow takes straight sticks, limbs and

pieces of wood, then uses his creative vision and finely honed carving talents to transform them into award-winning works of art. Visiting Frank in his workshop, I quickly learned that if you want to talk about his art, you can’t do so without talking about his life. Frank Barrow isn’t just a skilled wood-carver. He is a husband, father, grandfather, Vietnam veteran and a retired member of the U.S. Air Force. Many of the works he displays in his shop represent a part of his life. One walking cane shows likenesses of him and his wife, another celebrates the birth date of each of his grandchildren, while still another captures the details of his Air Force career, including the depiction of his rank.

Frank learned the art of woodcarving as a child, but it was only after he retired that he was really able to focus on it. “You need a lot of time on your hands to do this,” he says with a broad and friendly smile. Although he can carve one of his realistic-looking flowers in about three minutes, other pieces can take up to 100 hours to complete. But Frank doesn’t mind the investment of his time. “Doing this will calm your nerves and give you peace of mind,” he says. “Sometimes I work all night.” It’s quiet work. There are no saws or sanders or other large power tools in Frank’s workshop. Almost all of his work is done with the hand tools he makes himself. As a child Frank learned from his grandfather, who owned a blacksmith shop, how to make knives, weave baskets and chairs, and carve

wood. Now, he is passing on the art of carving to his grandchildren. Frank also grew up watching his mother create lovely flowers from crepe paper. That influence led him to create flowers out of wood. He displays some in his shop, sells some and gives others to neighbors or fellow church members. “I take the flowers to them to build up their hope and help them enjoy life,” he says. Frank gathers his ideas from his life, but “sometimes your ideas are in the wood.” As he searches for potential wood in his yard or some farmland he owns outside Shelby, Frank considers the natural shape of the wood. He often tailors his design to complement what nature has already created.

Words Paula VeSS


Over the years, Frank has been a featured presenter at the N. C. Museum of History and several of his works are in their permanent collection. “Frank has been a long-time presenter on African American culture as well as the art of woodcarving,” says Michelle Carr, curator of internal programs at the museum. He has also demonstrated his art at the N.C. Arts Council’s annual African American Cultural Celebration in Raleigh.

For a time, some his work was also on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Frank has been featured on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Now show; he is the subject of two videos and several magazine articles; and he has been honored by requests for special carvings, including a ceremonial mace for N.C. Central University

Although he has slowed down a bit in the last few years, he still visits schools and other organizations throughout the county to give demonstrations and share his gift of carving with others. “I enjoy sharing my work with people,” he says. .

This talented woodcarver finds treasure in plain-looking sticks and limbs lying around his yard, but we find a treasure in him.

If you are interested: Frank’s work can sometimes be found for sale at the Cleveland County Arts Council. While he does not keep regular hours at his shop, you can call him at 704-492-4905 for an appointment.



930 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150704.482.7586 | www.amrest.com

NCUnlimitedLicense#36813•SCUnlimited

License#G113044

Nationwide Blue Ribbon Provider

ense#G113044

edLic

813•SCUnlimit

ense#36

edLic

NCUnlimit

704.endW930

e.amrwww|.482.7586eivts Drer Heighvdo , Shelb

om.cst, NC 28150y,b

Experienced consultation.

Free delivery.

Mastercard/Visa accepted.

Lucille DavisIndependent Beauty Consultant

704-487-0803 HOME704-484-3120 OFFICE

e-mail: [email protected]

Nestled in the shadows of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, WoodMill Vineyard is surrounded by the natural beauty, tranquility, and charm of the rolling foothills of Vale, North Carolina. Each spring, the hills are brought to life as an emerald green canopy of vines reach for the heavens and gather sunlight to flavor the sweet southern grape known as the Muscadine. Recognized for their extraordinary flavors, Muscadines are notorious for producing exceptional jellies, desserts, and the popular but often elusive southern indulgence known as Muscadine Wine.

Muscadines – The Heart Healthy Superstar

It’s North Carolina’s state fruit, it tastes delicious and

it’s an emerging nutritional superstar. What is the

best kept secret in Heart Health? It’s North Carolina’s

native Muscadine grape. Muscadines are among the

richest source of antioxidants found in nature and

are a leading food source for a potent heart healthy

substance called Resveratrol.

Resveratrol, an antioxidant, is reported to lower

cholesterol levels and the risk of coronary heart

disease. Most everyone is aware that blueberries,

blackberries and pomegranates are great sources of

antioxidants. However, what is not commonly known

is that Muscadine grapes have more antioxidants per

gram than most any other fruit with three times more

antioxidants than blueberries, four times more than

blackberries and six times more than pomegranates.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

recommend a healthy diet that includes five servings

of fruit and vegetables a day. Typical Americans

consume only two or three servings a day. A single

one-cup serving of Muscadine grapes would more

than double the average person’s antioxidant intake.

Muscadine grapes are fat free, high in fiber and high

in antioxidants, especially Resveratrol and ellagic acid,

which has demonstrated anti-carcinogenic properties

in the colon, lungs and liver of mice.

.eniw ni lortarevseR no hcraeser redisnoc s’teL

Evidence continues to mount that drinking wine goes

hand in hand with a healthy lifestyle and is a powerful

means of preventing heart disease. In 2005, a Harvard

team found that the consumption by overweight

lab mice of the antioxidant Resveratrol, found in red

wine, increased energy levels, lowered cholesterol

and reduced overall blood sugar. In 2007, Harvard

research found that by drinking one or two glasses of

wine a day men with hypertension could lower their risk

of heart attack by 30 percent. Scientific journals

have recently been filled with studies suggesting

that Resveratrol could be of help in treating

Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and

other ailments.

Researchers have wondered for years how the

French could eat a diet rich in cream, butter

and cheese, a high-fat diet equivalent to the

American diet, yet have a much lower incidence

of heart disease than Americans. The answer

is the French custom of drinking red wine with

meals. France’s heart attack rate is 60 percent

lower than that of the United States. The

Copenhagen City Heart Study, published

in the British Medical Journal, tracked for

twelve years over 13,000 men and women

.yliad eniw der demusnoc ohw 07 – 03 ega

It was found that these men and women

were 50% less likely to die from disease than

nondrinkers or consumers of other alcoholic

beverages. It’s important to note that health benefits

were greatest with only two or three glasses of wine

per day (one glass for women). Drinking more than a

few glasses of wine a day can result in increased health

risks. Mississippi State University recently released a

Resveratrol concentration chart documenting that the

Muscadine grape is the healthiest grape ever tested

with forty times more Resveratrol than any other

grape. Based on this study, drinking a single glass

of Muscadine wine a day is equivalent in Resveratrol

concentrations to drinking 40 glasses of European red

wine.

Over the next few months we will discuss more health

benefits of Muscadines and Muscadine wine and how

the consumption of antioxidants in the form of fruit and

wine can help prevent heart disease, strokes, certain

types of cancers, macular degeneration of the eye and

signs of aging. We will also discuss how antioxidants

protect mental function, lower cholesterol and promote

overall good health.

Larry Cagle, Jr.

WoodMill Winery, Inc.

1350 WoodMill Winery Lane, Vale, NC 28168 ~ (704) 276-9911 ~ www.woodmillwinery.com

Special Advertising Section



Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Bestof the

FoothillsAs decided by you at

www.FoothillsSpotlight.com[ you voted – we published ]

Photo“Moss Lake Sunset”

by Ellen Hendrick

Best

WORDS MARK ALAN HUDSON


BBQ Alston Bridges BBQ620 E. Grover St., Shelby, NCKent & Linda Bridges, Owners704.482.1998

Others receiving votesRed Bridges (Bridges Barbecue Lodge)Big E’sSmoke on the SquareCity Table Barbecue (Forest City)

STEAKThe Water Oak205 Fashion Circle, Rutherfordton, NCBryan & Shara Kilby, Owners828.287.2932www.thewateroakrestaurant.com

The Water Oak Restaurant offers Southern cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. From their hand-cut steaks and chops, fresh seafood and savory sauces to their homemade breads and desserts, everyone will find something to tempt his or her taste buds.

Others receiving votesSagebrushFatz (Dixon Boulevard)Kelly’s (Blacksburg SC)Courtside (Forest City)

LUNCHCafé on the MallTri-City Mall – Hwy 74, Forest City, NC 828.245.3615Liz Rose, ownerwww.cafeatthemall.com

Others receiving votesShelby CaféSmith’s Drugs (Forest City)The Snack Shop (Boiling Springs)The HubJoe’s PlacePleasant City Steak & HoagieGregory’s (Rutherfordton)Graciano’s (Rutherfordton)

PIZZA – (Tie)Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille233 S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC704.487.0016www.pleasantcitywoodfiredgrille.comChris & Nancy Canoutas, Owners

Barley’s Tap Room & Pizzeria115 W. Main St., Spindale, NC 828.288.8388|www.barleystaproom.comLinette Gosnell, Owner

SALAD BARWestern Sizzlin’1712 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby, NC704.481.1626Joey Barnes, Owner

Others receiving votesRuby Tuesday

BREAKFAST Shelby Café220 S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC704.487.8461George Rizkallah and Brian Greene, Owners

Others receiving votesKen & Mary’sPancake HouseDenny’s IHOPThe Hub

COFFEE SHOPJ. Oliver’s211 Battleground Ave., Kings Mtn. NCwww.myzspace.com/joliverscoffeeJohn & Ashley Harris, owners

Others receiving votesBroad RiverIndigo JAVA House & Café (Forest City)

If you are reading these words, you already know the end of the story: We live in a remarkable place. Geographically, we are where the northern and southern meet. Our weather (overall) is mild, with four distinct seasons. Our pace of life is a bit more measured than that of bigger locales. If we want to go somewhere, we have three airports within about an hour’s drive that can be a portal to anywhere in the world. If we choose to travel by road, we have access to five interstates and many large highways, not to mention scenic byways and parkways. It is remarkably easy for us to travel to far-off places. And when we do, it is always a blessing to come back home. No doubt, each of us has things on his or her “bucket list” we want to do and places we want to see that are far and wide from our home base. But what makes our lives here something we always want to come back to … or never leave? For the most part, I think it is the simple pleasures we have, the tried and the true that we can always count on, the things we might describe as simply the best. And who better to know the best than those who live here? For the past couple of months, Foothills Spotlight has asked you to share with us your ideas about what merits a “Best of” distinction in Cleveland and Rutherford Counties. Through online voting, phone calls, e-mails and personal conversations, we tallied your votes. In some cases, what we thought should belong in one category, our voters thought should be in another. We could choose to be hard line or open to new thoughts. We chose to go with the flow and we’re glad we did. Below are the winners of your “Best of” voting for this year. In some cases, the voting was very tight and a few more votes one way or another would have changed the outcome. That fact makes us excited about doing this again next year. Our feeling is that when your competition is good, it pushes you to excel as well. Each winner of our voting will receive bragging rights for a year and a pretty darn nice certificate to boot. For you the reader, we are providing the category, the winner and basic information about each winner, such as location, phone number, Web site, etc. In some cases, we also have some honorable mentions that are listed. So, without further ado, here they are:

of theBestFoothills

Alston Bridges BBQ


BURGERSTaste-T-Drive-In322 E. Marion St., Shelby, NC740.482.3936

Others receiving votesBackYard BurgersCotton’s Ruby Tuesday

CHINESEChen’s209 W. Dixon Blvd., Shelby, NC704.484.9669www.chensrestaurant.comMichael Cheng, Owner

Others receiving votesChina Buffet (New)China Town (Beside Wal-Mart)

ICE CREAMDairy Queen814 S. DeKalb St., Shelby, NC704.482.6681www.dqshelby.comMilton Rachels, owner

Others receiving votesSonicShelby Ice CreamMain Street Coffee & Ice Cream (Rutherfordton)

MEXICANMi PueblitoShelby, KM, Forest CityOn Facebook - Mi Pueblito Mexican Restaurant

Others receiving votesChili’s (Forest City)MontereyTaco Bell

FINE DININGSweezy HouseFallston, NC 704.538.0044www.thesweezyhouse.comDallas & Denise Pierce, chefs/owners

The Sweezy House offers a blend of Southern and regional American food. At lunch, they serve a daily ”blue plate special,” delicious sandwiches and salads. For dinner, they offer hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, pasta dishes and nightly specials. Fresh baked bread and desserts, made from scratch, are always available.

Others receiving votesKelly’s Seafood & SteakhouseCleveland Country Club

SEAFOODShelby Fish Camp1025 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby, NC 704.482.7391

Others receiving votesLove’s Fish BoxFisherman’s FeastMayflowerBig Dave’s Family Seafood (Forest City)Kelly’s (Blacksburg)

WINERYOwl’s Eye Vineyard & Winery1414 Metcalf Rd., Shelby, NC 704.471.9196Frank Hannah, ownerwww.owlseyevineyard.com

Others receiving votesBuffalo Baker CreekWoodMillRock House Vineyards

GOLF COURSEDeer Brook Golf ClubShelby, NC704.482.4653www.deerbrookgolfcourse.com

Others receiving votesPine GroveCleghornCleveland Country ClubRiver Bend

HIKING Broad River Greenwaywww.broadrivergreenway.com Kim Duren, executive director

Others receiving votesSouth MountainCrowders MountainGateway Trails

PICNICKINGChimney Rock State Park431 Main St., Chimney Rock, NC800.277.9611www.chimneyrockpark.com

BOATINGLake Lure www.townoflakelure.com

Others receiving votesMoss LakeLake Adger

PUBLIC PARKShelby City Park 704.484.6839www.cityofshelby.com/parks

Others receiving votesKings Mountain National Military ParkChimney Rock State Park Broad River Greenway

SPORTS VENUESMcNair FieldHome of Forest City Owls www.forestcitybaseball.com

McNair Field is home to the Forest City Owls baseball team, a member of the wood bat Coastal Plain League. A state-of-the-art baseball park, McNair Field opened in May 2008. The field is named for Robert McNair, owner of the NFL Houston Texans, who is a Forest City native.

Others receiving votesKeeter StadiumGardner-Webb Football StadiumCherokee Speedway

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENTCleveland County FairShelby, NC www.clevelandcountyfair.com 704-487-0652 Calvin Hastings, Manager

Others receiving votesMall CinemasAlive After 5 (Shelby)Cleveland Mall FireworksForest City OwlsChallenger 3Hog Happenin’

continued >>

Owl’s Eye Vineyard & Winery


Experience freedom.

ExperienceGragg & Gragg, LLP

704.482.2001GRAGGANDGRAGG.COM

Bryon Gragg, CPA/PFSJay Gragg, CPA/PFS

Thanks for selecting our firm 1 st in

Financial Planning & CPA Services

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Thanks to the Foothills Spotlight Magazine readers for making the Cleveland County Fair the top family entertainment in the foothills. As fair manager, I’ll strive to continue that tradition and we welcome any thoughts or ideas on how we can improve and bring the people of Cleveland County the entertainment that they want to see at the Cleveland County Fair. It’s a brand new day at the Cleveland County Fair!Calvin Hastings

Fair Manager

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Sept/Oct 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 43

HOME FURNISHINGSNorris Furniture2011 S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC 704.482.8464www.norrismerchandise.com

Others receiving votesTimms’ FurnitureBadcock Home FurnitureGrindstaff’s InteriorsJ&D Furniture

LIVE MUSIC VENUEDon Gibson Theatre318 S. Washington St, Shelby, NC 704.487.8114www.dgshelby.com David Jenkins, executive director

Others receiving votesLeatherwood’sThe Foundation Performing Arts Center – Isothermal

LIVE MUSIC EVENTArt of SoundShelby, NCwww.artofsoundcc.com

Others receiving votesAlive After FiveKings Mountain Beach Blast

FUNERAL HOMESCecil Burton Funeral Home106 Cherryville Rd., Shelby, NC 704-480-8383www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.comCecil Burton, owner

Others receiving votesStamey’sClay-BarnettCleveland Funeral ServicesHarris Funeral HomeMcKinney-Landreth

RADIO STATIONSWGWG – 88.3 FMGardner-Webb Universitywww.wgwg.org

WGWG has been a broadcast service of Gardner-Webb University since 1974. WGWG “Radio For The People” is a 50,000 watt non-commercial station that specializes in AAA and Americana music with special features of blues, bluegrass and Christian music, news, sports, and a variety of educational and inspirational programs. This fall, WGWG is the radio home of Crest High School Chargers football.

Others receiving votesWNCWWOHSWCABWAGY

NEW CAR DEALERSHIPSCarter Chevrolet Shelby, NC 704.482.4341www.carterchev.comMark Carter & Conway Carter, owners

Founded by Paul Carter, Carter Chevrolet has been locally owned and operated by the family for more than 50 years. Paul’s sons, Mark and Conway, took over the reigns in 1994. Conway’s son, Paul Carter IV is the third generation of the family to join the dealership. The only full service GM dealer in Cleveland County, Carter Chevrolet offers sales, leasing, parts, an award winning service facility, as well as a fully staffed collision repair, body shop and paint center. The phrase “You’ll feel smarter, when you buy from Carter” is more than just a slogan. For the Carter’s and the 30 employees that work with them, it is the way they choose to do business.

Others receiving votesRogersMcCurry-DeckKeeterForest City Honda

UESD CAR DEALERSHIPSCharles Watkins Automotive GroupForest City, NC828.245.0128www.watkinsauto.com

Others receiving votesS&R AutoClark’s CarsJ&E Auto SalesBlanton’s

TIRESMonroe Tires515 S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC 704.482.8381www.monroetire.com Chris Monroe, Owner

Others receiving votesOakie’sTire KingdomDellinger’s Griffin Bros.Broadway Tire Service (Forest City)Barry O’s Tire (Forest City)

POLITICANWalter DaltonNC Lt. Governorwww.walterdalton.org

Others receiving votesMary Accor Jo BoggsDebbie Clary Eddie HolbrookTim Moore

COMMUNITY LEADEREddie Holbrook www.eddieholbrook.com

Others receiving votesTed AlexanderJo BoggsMyra BrooksMichael ChrisawnShannon KennedyRick MurpheyDr. Steve Thornburg

FOOTHILLS EYESOREFormer Farmer’s Market Building

Others receiving votesVacant textile millsVacant big box stores

continued >>

Art of Sound - Music Festival


BODY SHOPCarter ChevroletShelby, NC 704.751.0648www.carterchev.comMark Carter & Conway Carter, Owners

Others receiving votesBowen’sRichie’s

AUTO REPAIRDavis AutomotiveShelby, NC704.484.2084

Others receiving votesBrown’s AutomotiveGamble’s Amoco

ART GALLERIESBuffalo Creek Gallery104 E. Warren St., Shelby, NC704.487.0256www.buffalocreekgallery.com

Others receiving votesKM Art CenterGriffin PotterySynergyVisual Arts Guild (Rutherfordton)

SPA/MASSAGEBellus Tu Spa116-118 Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain, NC704.734.1133www.bellustuspa.comLaurie Mancusso, Owner

Others receiving votesSalon PallazzoA New Beginning Massage

HAIR SALONSalon Pallazzo709 W. Warren St., Shelby, NC 704.482.0333www.salonpalazzodayspa.com

Others receiving votesSalon 206Uptown GirlsTrendsettersCuttin’ Up (Rutherfordton)

GROCERY STOREHarris Teeter of Shelby1145 E. Marion St., Shelby, NC704.480.8335

Others receiving votesInglesFood LionAldiBi-Lo (Forest City)

FINANCIAL/CPAGragg & Gragg, LLP9 E. Marion St., Shelby, NC 704.482.2001www.graggandgragg.com Bryon and Jay Gragg, Owners

Others receiving votesCraig & BarryBob Watson

LAWYERS Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, PLLC1219 Fallston Rd., Shelby, NC704.487.1234www.teddyandmeekins.com

Others receiving votesCerwin Law FirmSchweppe Law Firm

BANKINGShelby Savings Bank224 East Warren St., Shelby, NC704.487.4387www.hometrustbanking.com

Others receiving votesFirst National BankAlliance Bank & Trust

COMMUNITY ACCOMPLISHMENTSAmerican Legion World Series Announcementwww.clevelandcountybaseball.com

Others receiving votesDuke Energy Training CenterClearwater PaperDon Gibson Theatre

REAL ESTATEReMax Select331 A S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC 704.487.7653www.selectcleveland.com

Others receiving votesAllen TateWilson Real EstateColdwell Banker

PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS Victorian Rose108 W. Warren St., Shelby, NC 704.482.9360www.victorianroseweb.comTracy Stilwell, Owner

VETCottonwood Veterinary Hospital1643 Fallston Rd., Shelby, NC 704.487.5277Joe Wright, DVM, Owner

Others receiving votesBoulevard Animal HospitalHope Animal Hospital

APPEARANCEShelby Courtsquare

Others receiving votesGibson TheatreMauney Library – Kings MountainGardner-Webb CampusBailey Center - CCCIsothermal Community College

continued >>

Gragg & Gragg, LLP


Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Thank you to all of our customers for your patronage! We look forward to

continuing to serve you.

Come in to check out our fall inventory!

309 S. Battleground Ave. Kings Mountain, NC704-730-0013 • [email protected]: Tues. - Fri. 10am - 6pm, Sat. 10am - 4pm

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

UpSCAle CoNSigNMeNTS, New ACCeSSorieS & More

Thanks for choosing us as the Best

of the Foothills in

New Car Sales.

704-482-4341 • 200 W. Dixon Blvd. Shelby, NC • carterchev.com

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]


VOTED

OF THE FOOTHILLS

VOVOV TED

BESTOF THE FOOTOTO HILOF HILL

S

BESTwinery

Thank you for your ongoing support! Most Fridays, in our tasting room, feature live music and appetizers

with a catered dinner on the 3rd Friday of the month.Please check the website or call ahead for details.

1414 Metcalf Road Shelby, nc 704-471-9196 OWLSEYEVINEYARD.com

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Open Tuesday-Friday 10-6, Saturday 11-4121 East Main Street, Forest City • 828-248-2455

Scrapbooking • Card Making • Stamping Classes

Visi

t ww

w.fo

othi

llssp

otlig

ht.c

om fo

r 15

% o

ff C

oupo

n!

Visit ww

w.foothillsspotlight.com for 15%

off Coupon!www.positivelypaper.com

PositivelyPaper

PositivelyPaper

Visi

t ww

w.fo

othi

llssp

otlig

ht.c

om fo

r 15

% o

ff C

oupo

n!

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com Sept/Oct 2010 Foothi l ls

WEBSITE – MOST USEFULwww.shelbystar.com

Others receiving voteswww.tourclevelandcounty.comwww.destinationclevelandcounty.orgwww.rutherfordtourism.comwww.thedigitalcourier.comwww.gcsasoccer.com

WEBSITE – MOST ATTRACTIVEwww.tourclevelandcounty.com

Others receiving voteswww.travellynxtours.comwww.dqshelby.comwww.hospicecares.ccwww.timmsfurniture.com

FREE PUBLICATION (excluding Foothills Spotlight Magazine)Shelby Shopperwww.shelbyinfo.com

Others receiving votesWhat’s Up ShopperRutherford WeeklyThe Mountain Breeze

NEWSPAPERThe Daily CourierForest City, NCwww.thedigitalcourier.com

Others receiving votesShelby StarKings Mountain Herald

CLOTHES (men)Belk

Others receiving votesRue 21Sears

CLOTHES (women)Two Doors Down12 E. Warren St., Shelby, NC 704.482.5449Debbie Turner, Owner

Others receiving votesBelk

CLOTHES (kids)Belk

Others receiving votesWal-MartK-Mart

SHOESShope’s 602 S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC 704.482.8653Brack Ward, General Manager

Others receiving votesShoe ShowBelk

CONSIGNMENT SHOPSChloe’s 402 E. King St., Kings Mountain, NC 704.730.0013

ARTS/CRAFTSPositively Paper121 E. Main St., Forest City, NC 828.248.2455

Others receiving votesSandy’s Country Christmas

GIFT SHOPSRedbone Willy’s6533 Fallston Rd., Lawndale, NC704.538.3670www.redbonewilly.com Glenda Miller, owner

Others receiving votesVictoria StephensSuzy B’sCountry HeartFrame MastersArnold’s Gifts

of theBestFoothillsAs we tallied the results of our reader survey, we realized that some of the votes will

result in some good natured arguing. That’s fine. A “Best of” list should be like a

photograph. It is a moment in time to savor into the future.

But the future also holds the promise of the unknown and the “Best of”

what’s to come.

Champion Communications summer interns Erin Cooke, Rebecca Ruppe and Hannah McDowell assisted in the compilation of “winner” company information used in this article.

Redbone Willy’s


Come andExperienceOur Sidewalk Cafe!

Get Fired Up For Fall!• Daily Lunch & Dinner Combos• Soup & Sandwich Combos• Tuesday Buy 1, Get 1 Free Pizza 5-10pm $2.00 Draft• Wednesday Peel & Eat Shrimp and Oysters on the “Half Shell” Shrimp $6.99 1/2 pound $12.99 pound Oysters $6.99 1/2 dozen $12.99 dozen

• Thursday All American with Gourmet Burgers & $2.50 Draft• Saturday 1/2 Price Wine Bottles

233 South Lafayette Street • ShelbyTo Go Orders: 704-487-0016

Mon. - Thurs. 11am - 10pmFri. - Sat. 11am - 11pm • Sun. 11am - 9pm

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Get Fired Up For Fall!

Peel & Eat Shrimp and Oysters on the “Half Shell”

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]


Upscale Consignments, New Accessories & More

Shop at Chloe’s for Sizzling Hot Summer Sales!

309 S. Battleground Ave. Kings Mountain, NC704-730-0013 [email protected]

Hours: Tues.- Fri. 10am - 6pm Sat. 10m - 4pm..

Chloe’s Boutique

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com July/August 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 13

Mention this ad and receive $5 off any service!

Check us out at www.HopeAnimalHosp.com

1042 Sam Lattimore Rd.Shelby, NC 28152

We Strive To Make Your Pets Feel “At Home”.

Deanna M. Moseley, DVM, PA

Daily Devotions!

Great Staff! - Safe Environment!

New Friends!

Homework Time!

Fun Activities! - Healthy Snacks!

Cleveland County Family YMCAKindergarten Through 8th Grade

We Now Serve the Following Schools:

Bethware • Boiling Springs • East • Elizabeth • Graham • James Love • Jefferson • Marion • North • Springmore • Township Three • Union • Washington • West • Kings Mt Intermediate • Kings Mt, Burns, Crest and Shelby Middle Schools and

Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy

Financial Assistance is available! Visit www.clevecoymca.org or drop by your local YMCA branch for more information.

Register now for YMCA After School

Daily Devotions!

Great Staff! - Safe Environment!

New Friends!

Homework Time!

Fun Activities! - Healthy Snacks!

Cleveland County Family YMCAKindergarten Through 8th Grade

We Now Serve the Following Schools:

Bethware • Boiling Springs • East • Elizabeth • Graham • James Love • Jefferson • Marion • North • Springmore • Township Three • Union • Washington • West • Kings Mt Intermediate • Kings Mt, Burns, Crest and Shelby Middle Schools and

Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy

Financial Assistance is available! Visit www.clevecoymca.org or drop by your local YMCA branch for more information.

Register now for YMCA After School

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Bestof the

Foothills[ 2010 ]

Nostalgia with a kick

Photo by Victorian Rose StudioPhoto by Victorian Rose Studio

Photo by V

ictorian Rose S

tudio


Smith’s Drugs of Forest City:

WORDS Mark alan HudSon

2010 50 Foothi l ls Spot l ight Sept/Oct 2010

Photo by Victorian Rose StudioPhoto by Victorian Rose Studio Betty Lee has been coming to Smith’s Drug since she was 14 years old.

Photo by M

ark Alan H

udson

Photo by V

ictorian Rose S

tudio

Photo by Victorian Rose Studio

mainstay of Forest City’s Main Street since 1939, Smith’s Drugs is a unique blend of high tech/high touch and the nostalgic feel of the small town drugstore from yesteryear.

Nestled on a tree-lined thoroughfare running through the heart of town, its storefront windows don’t readily give away the treasure that waits inside.

As soon as you enter the drugstore though, you’ll feel the difference. Staff greet you with a smile and ask if they can help … even if you’re not a local. The layout is pleasing and a classic soda fountain counter, tables and booths invite you to sit down, linger and have a cup of coffee or one of their famous pimiento cheese sandwiches.

Take the time to say hello to a couple of folks and you’ll soon be talking to some of the regulars … folks who have been coming in for years. Take retired dentist Charles “Doc” Abernethy, for instance, who’s been a customer for 60 years. “I come almost every day,” he says. “I meet some of my friends for breakfast and we solve all the world’s problems,” he adds with a mischievous smile. Doc, some 87 years young, says he comes because the food is good and the people are wonderful. He adds he enjoys his retirement though he sometimes still dreams of being a dentist. “Thankfully, I wake up from those things,” he jests, a twinkle in his eye.

Owner John Higgins fosters this welcoming environment. He came to the pharmacy end of the business after graduating from Campbell University’s School of Pharmacy in 1991. In 2000, Hugh Moore, who was the owner then, offered the business to him.

He jumped at the offer and has never regretted it. Hugh, his friend and mentor, still works with him as a fill-in.

That’s another theme you soon pick up during a visit: The staff love working here. Many of them have been around for several years … some more than 20. Courtney Atkins is a second-generation employee who has been there three years. Her mother filled the same job when she started more than 20 years ago. While the feel of Smith’s is small town friendly, don’t think the employees aren’t on their game. John is proud of the technology that his pharmacy and home care lines can offer his clients and patients. The pharmacy can compound its own drugs in many cases and has infusion capabilities. In late summer John is adding a robot that can count, label and package medications. The medical products side of the business offers diabetic shoes, lift chairs and other essentials. John prides himself on innovation but his passion is clearly helping people and being an asset to his town and community. As people walk by, he excuses himself to shake a hand, give a hug or listen to someone sharing a problem. His 50 employees have bought in to the mission as well as you see them reach out to folks and connect with them as only neighbors can.

Active in his community, John also takes pride in his family. He’s been married to his wife Stephanie for 17 years. Son Cole is a talented soccer player and the family enjoys that passion together. At 44, John has accomplished something many work their whole lives to achieve. He has a good business, loyal employees and appreciative customers. It seems so easy as you watch the daily life here but you know it

is the result of hard work. Betty Lee, another regular, has been coming to Smith’s since she was 14 years old. She claims she’s 80 but that’s debatable when you see her smile and hear the way she talks. What can’t be argued is that she knows the place is a special one. “I thought it was an awfully good place to come when I was younger,” she says. “Now, I think it’s just great.” Somehow, that simple statement by a loyal customer says more than 1,000 words ever could.

Editor’s Note: Smith’s Drugs is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is (828)-245-4591 and the Web site is www.smithsdrugsfc.com.

He jumped at the offer and has never regretted it. Hugh,

That’s another theme you soon pick up during a visit: The staff love working here. Many of them have been around for several years … some more than 20. Courtney Atkins is a second-generation employee who has been there three years. Her mother filled the

While the feel of Smith’s is small town friendly, don’t think the employees aren’t on their game. John is proud of the technology that his pharmacy and home care lines can offer his clients and patients. The pharmacy can compound its own drugs in many cases and has

mainstay of Forest City’s Main Street since 1939, Smith’s Drugs is a unique blend of high tech/high touch and the nostalgic feel of the small town drugstore from yesteryear.

A

Retired dentist Charles “Doc” Abernethy has been a Smith’s Drug customer for 60 years.

Photo by M

ark Alan H

udson

Congratulations Chad from your family and the USC family at Fox Distributing.

Chad Holbrook, Shelby native and son of County Commissioner Eddie Holbrook, is the proud associate head coach of the National Championship baseball team at the University of South Carolina. Via twitter, Chad recently shared the top 30 reasons why winning the championship was so special to him.

Chad’s final tweet and reason number 1...1. The great state of South Carolina and its flagship university are National Champions. People are so proud. So thankful that we could make so many people proud. This was a lot more than just a victory on the baseball field. We realize that. So proud to be a coach in this program and at this University. I’m so thankful to so many people for allowing me to experience this. We are all proud to be Gamecocks. Go Cocks! And I hope you enjoyed the list. I’ve been in athletics all my life and I’ve been a part of some great teams. But there will never be another 2010 USC Baseball Team. I’m proud I was a part of it.

30. Seeing the look on Reece and Coopers face when I ran into the stands to get them. After what reece went thru - Priceless.29. Hugging my beautiful wife who sacrifices so much in being a coaches wife. That’s a moment Ill never ever forget.28. The look and tears streaming down grown mens faces as I went into the stands to get my family.That was when I realized the scope of it27. Laying in that dogpile in Rosenblatt stadium trying to comprehend what just occurred.

26. Bayler Teal. And all of the moments that left my body numb. I’ll give you a few of those later. I think about you daily Bayler.25. The feeling I had in the third base coaching box when Wingo was sacrificed up to third with one out. 90 ft away. I almost got sick!!24. The memories and pictures [from a moment] like this. We are dads first but when things like this happen. Wow.23. The embraces with Coach Tanner, Espo, and Calvi. There is no way a pricetag could ever be put on those moments.22. The emotion that poured out of the Teal family. Seeing that family hold the trophy and hug our players. They made a diff!21. The walk out of Rosenblatt stadium and to our bus and seeing all of our fans and parents waiting for us. Incredible feeling.20. The bus ride to our hotel after the game and the looks on our players faces when things began to settle down. Euphoric exhaustion!19.Taking the uniform off in the hotel room and realizing that there is no game tomorrow. I stared at my jersey laying on the floor.18. Watching the news clips of Cola tv stations on the computer in hotel room. Watching all our fans celebrate back home was so neat!17. Celebrating in Coach Calvi’s hotel room with all the coaches and wives and talking about all of the emotions that we’ve just experienced.16. Trying to fall asleep at 4:45am. Too much adrenaline to even come close to falling asleep. I just sat there and watched Reece/Coop sleep.15. Waking up and reading the Omaha Herald. Now that’s a newspaper read for the ages. Tough to duplicate that. Whit’s picture captured it all14. The Cola Airport and seeing all the fans waiting for us. The escort to the Colonial L. Arena and the fans along the side of the road.13. The tweets I received on the bus and the anticipation of what was waiting for us at the Colonial Life Arena!12. Nothing can describe the feeling of standing in the tunnel of the arena and listening to the fans. It was so loud, then 2001!! goose bumps11. The moment the curtain opened I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. College baseball teams are not supposed to get that kind of support!10. I forgot for a minute. At South Carolina we do get that kind of support. The lap around the arena and celebrating with the fans. Incredible.9. Hearing from so many former players and the great friends from UNC that called to congratulate us. I heard from everyone. Well almost.8. The parade - The trip down main street, I was speechless. When we were on the steps of the state house. The view of our fans. Just incredible!7. Our team taught this coach a lesson. A tough group of guys that never puts themselves in front of the team is a tough team to beat. Our players were so selfless. They always thought they were going to win. They enjoyed each other and they cared about each other.6. The characteristics of our team trumped talent on a daily basis. Yes we were talented but not always the most talented. We had more will than our opponents. We willed games away from our opponents. Truly the best team I’ve ever been a part of.5. Bayler Teal - this will take a while. He passed away the minute Christian Walker had a hit vs Oklahoma. He was looking over us when we were one pitch from elimination that same game. I stood in the 3b box numb the last few innings knowing our biggest fan has passed. I could not tell the players. I thought about the Teal family and I thought about Reece. Pediatric cancer sucks! Nothing worse. Then I became calm. I knew Bayler wouldn’t let us lose. I actually felt he had a part in what was going on. I still feel that way.How bout this quote from Whit after the biggest hit in the history of our program. “I felt Baylers hand on my bat”. If that doesn’t make you numb I don’t know what will. Bayler is our hero and the toughest little sucker I’ve met. He was a part of our Natl Championship. Our MVP!4. Thinking about the incredible journey our players took us on. Their sacrifices, their commitment, their attitude. From the first meeting in the fall to the last swing of Whit’s bat. What an unbelievable group of guys.3. I always wondered what the 1980 Olympic Hockey team felt like when they won the Gold Medal. Yes, we didn’t beat the Russians and I’m not equating the two. But I bet our players felt a similar feeling to those guys. It was truly an incredible feeling.2. Realizing I’m not a better coach or a better person just because we won the Natl Championship. A great accomplishment-absolutely. Like we told our players. Don’t let this championship be the best thing you do for society. You can give more as a person, dad, and husband!

SearchNational Championship Univ of SC

USC Baseball wins National Title: School’s first championship in major men’s sports


WORDS JUDY GAULTNEY

WORDS BILL CAMERON

WORKING ON THE

Chain Gang


Football season is here again. In the Foothills of North Carolina, that stirs up passions and devotion to alma maters usually not seen the rest of the year. Stoking these passions is the excellence of Foothills football as evidenced by the eight state championships won by Cleveland County teams since 1994. Some of the most passionate and devoted football fans are the “chain gangs” at each school.

These chain gangs are not the convicts who work on roadsides under the watchful eye of an armed guard or the subjects of Sam Cooke’s song, “Working on the Chain Gang.” Instead these chain gangs work the sidelines of football games. It’s the chain gangs or crews, not the season ticket holders, who have the “best seats in the house” (see sidebar). These guys and in some cases, gals, work the sidelines of each home game manning the “sticks” which measure first down yardage.

I spoke to several members of the chain gangs from Crest, Kings Mountain and Shelby High Schools and found several similarities in these groups and individuals. The Crest High gang includes two husband and wife groups, Curt and A.J. Simmons and Greg and Sharon Cooper, along with Mike Grant, Jonathan Cooper and Chris Ellis. The Kings Mountain crew consists of Ken Bridges, Mark Crawford, Ray Robinson, Chuck Peeler and Sam Hunt. From Shelby, the gang counts Doug Gold, Steve Gold, Richard Gillespie, Bill Brewer and Ford Lawrence as members. One likeness among all these folks is their joy in what they do. Ken Bridges said that he “loves it” and “thinks a lot of the kids who put in so much time.” You know they love the job as they all work on a volunteer basis, maybe getting a team shirt or hat each year and a free hot dog each game.

Another familiar theme among these crew members is their dedication and loyalty to their teams. They not only work each home game during the three-month season, but also usually follow their team when they go on the road. In addition, many of these guys and gals have been running the sidelines for years. The Simmonses

Crest Chain Gang: from left to right are Mike Grant, Greg Cooper, A.J. Simmons and Curt Simmons


If you have a passion for football, then you want to be as close to the action as

possible. Well, if this is your goal, then you need to become a member of a “chain gang”

or chain crew. These three guys have the best seats in the house, only without the seats. Every level of football, from youth up to the

NFL, has chain crews manning the “sticks” at every game. A chain crew or gang consists of from three

to five assistants to the referee. They are responsible for measuring the 10 yards needed for a team to

make a first down and keep possession of the ball. The two “rod men” each hold the “sticks” which are

at the ends of a 10-yard chain. One stick is positioned on the sideline even with the nose of the football when a team has a first down. The other rod man pulls the chain taut with his stick 10 yards down the sideline. The “box man” is the third member of the crew and holds the down marker which shows the down (first, second, third or fourth). A team has four downs to advance the ball the 10 yards needed for a first down or it turns the ball over to the other team. The down marker is placed even with the line of scrimmage before each offensive snap. Another crew member is responsible for the “clip” which is placed on the chain at the nearest five-yard mark to the first down stick.

The chain crew only gets noticed by fans when a player crashes into one of the sticks or crew members on a sideline play or when the referee motions them onto the field for a first down measurement. The latter is when the crew brings the sticks onto the field and determines if a team has made a first down. This is when the old adage, “it’s a game of inches,” is literally true.

To make the game above reproach, the chain crew operates on the visiting team’s sideline during a game. So if you want the best view in the whole stadium (just on the wrong side of the field), then

join the local “chain gang.” Just remember, these guys do this for the love of the game as

they are unpaid volunteers.

have worked the Crest sidelines since the early 1990s and recruited the Coopers in 1998. Doug Gold has manned the chains at Shelby’s games for more than 20 years and his son, Steve, along with Richard Gillespie, have worked since 1994. But the “dean” of the chain gang has to be Kings Mountain’s Ken Bridges, who has 35 years experience.

Another common characteristic in these gangs is their sense of teamwork. They have worked together for years and learned all the subtleties of the job. They usually keep the same person on the yardage sticks, the box and the clip (see sidebar). They usually have one or more extra members to allow bathroom and food breaks and to fill in for games when someone can’t attend. Doug Gold put it succinctly, “A crew has to use common sense.”

Each chain gang has its own favorite stories and tales, of course. Every group related the hazard of getting “run over” during a game. Greg Cooper tells of one of his first games when he watched the kickoff returner run past and then got crushed by the players chasing him. Ken Bridges told of getting hit so hard that he ended up “against the fence, lost my hat and glasses, got attended to by the trainers and even was a star the next week during the team’s film session as they watched me get hit.”

Each group also spoke of their close proximity to opposing coaches since they work on the visitors’ sideline. The chain gang members can tell you quickly who their favorite coaches are. They also know which coaches have control of their teams. Greg Cooper told of Coach Tommy Knotts from Independence, who, in a game against Crest, saw one of his players deliver a “cheap shot” hit. Cooper said that Knotts “sent that player off the field and had him sit the rest of the game on the team bus.” Perhaps the best tale I heard was from Doug Gold about a former chain gang member, Bill Ledford. In a game against Hickory, the Hickory coach saw Bill take his hat off and scratch his bald head. Gold said the coach came running at them, claiming, “I saw you signaling our plays to the Shelby sideline.”

So as you can see, “working on the chain gang” puts you right on the field and sometimes even in the action. And however else you see it, you can’t beat these “best seats in the house.”

Bes

t Sea

ts in

the

Hou

se


Congratulations &

Champion Communications and FoothillsSpotlight Magazine would like to thankthe three interns who made our life so

much easier this summer.

L-R: Rebecca Rupp, SeniorWestern Kenturcky Univ.

Erin Cooke, Senior Gardner-Webb Univ.

Hannah McDowell, SeniorAppalachian State Univ.

Thank-You

David Dear,Cleveland County Manager

Mr. Dear was the recent recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award.

This award is presented to individuals for their extraordinary service

and contributions to their communities.This award is among the most prestigious

awards presented by the Governor of North Carolina.

Clay Champion

Clay recently won the 48th AnnualCleveland County Amateur Golf

Championship. He shot 6 under parfor the 3-day event held at

Kings Mountain Country Club, Pine Grove and Riverbend Golf Courses.

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com Sept/October 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 61


TOMMY LONDON • FootballstandoutrunningbackforShelby HighSchoolfrom1969-72.• Playedinthe1972N.C./S.C.ShrineBowl.• Selectedandplayedinthe1973N.C. East-WestAllStargame.• WasvotedAll-conferenceplayerinboth 1971and1972.• AssistedSHStoanundefeatedseasonin 1972,rushingfor1,442yards,4thbestin SHShistory.• SelectedasanAll-Stateplayerin1972.• NorthCarolinaStateUniversity(NCSU) defensiveback1973-77.Recruitedas runningbackandconvertedtodefensive backforhisjuniorandseniorseasons.• SignedbytheClevelandBrownsasa defensivebackin1978.• Played15gamesatdefensivebackforthe Brownsin1978beforeaninjuryendedhis career.• Worked12yearswithAllStateInsurance beforeansweringthecalltotheministryin 1994.• Receiveddoublemaster’sdegreesin ReligiousEducationandDivinityfromVirginia UniversityofLynchburgin1996.• HasservedaspastorofFirstBaptistChurch ofCloverdale,Va.sincethattime.• In2008,Tommywasinductedintothe ClevelandCountySportsHallofFame.• TommyandwifeSharoncurrentlylivein Salem,Va.TheirtwoadultchildrenareJustin andMichelle.JustinplayedfootballatUCLA forfouryearsandispursuingalawdegreeat theUniversityofPittsburgh.Michellecurrently worksforESPNasaSportsCenterEditor.

FLASHBACK

Shelby

Bowl.

inin

defensive

FLASHBACK

Sept/Oct 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 57


The East Rutherford Cavaliers traveled to Raleigh this spring for the 2010 NCHSAA 2A State Championship Baseball Tournament with only one mission in mind — to win the tournament. And they did!

The Cavaliers, under the leadership of Coach Bobby Reynolds, swept the Red Devils of Graham in two games at Doak Field in Raleigh on Saturday, June 5, 2010. After winning the morning game, the Cavaliers faced the Red Devils in the second one under a blazing Carolina sun that brought temperatures to 95 degrees during the final innings.

East (30-2) pulled out an exciting 4-3 victory over Graham (20-13), which left Cavalier fans and players overjoyed in celebration at the pitcher’s mound after the final strike was called on the last Graham batter. The win made Coach Reynolds a five-time state champion.

East earned an early 4-0 lead by scoring two runs in the third inning and two runs in the fourth inning. The third inning runs were the result of some strategy, base running and solid hitting. A fielder’s choice left East catcher Trent Dorsey on first base with base runner AJ Lynch being forced at second. Third baseman Derek Deaton then hit a double, bringing home pinch runner Tyler Jacobs. A smashed double to the left centerfield gap by Drew Reynolds scored Derek for a 2-0 lead. Then, in the fourth, East followed up after AJ was hit by a pitch and advanced to first and then was brought home by Trent’s home run over the left field wall.

Things looked great for East as they faced Graham in their last at bat with the score still standing at 4-0. Dakotah Thomas had pitched an almost no-hit performance for East for six innings. In the seventh,

Dakotah walked the lead batter, then got a strikeout of the Graham pitcher. An error on a softly hit ball put runners on the corners. It was followed by a single bringing a runner home for the Red Devils’ first score of the game. The celebration was short-lived for Graham as Dakotah notched his 14th strikeout of the day as he fanned a Graham pinch hitter.

The Red Devils were not done, however, as their lead-off man stepped to the plate with two on and two out. His single to centerfield brought in another run. As the next batter came to the plate, Dakotah was again facing a two-on, two-out situation. The batter went to a full count before he took the fourth ball and ambled down to first, loading the bases as North Carolina Player of the Year, Matt Roberts, came to the plate.

Coach Bobby glanced at assistants Chuck Walker and Chad Flack, and confidently walked out of the dugout and pointed to first base as he gained the attention of the home plate umpire. The intentional walk scored Graham’s third run, cutting the Cavs’ lead to one, a 4-3 ballgame!

Shortstop Rigeberto Mendoza, a three-time strikeout victim, now stood at the plate with the bases loaded. He took a full count before being caught looking at a called third strike as Dakotah’s pitch hit dead center in the catcher’s mitt.

Cavs players and fans erupted in celebration at the pitcher’s mound as a hard-fought victory was won! While the win is still being savored, planning for next year is already on the mind of Coach Bobby. While

he is losing four seniors -- series MVP Drew Reynolds, Dakotah Thomas, Trent Dorsey and Tyler Dobbins -- he’s got a great nucleus to have a team in contention for 2011.

Janice McFarland, mother of rising junior pitcher, Mark McFarland, had this comment, “The number one thing (about their championship) is that this team had a really good coach. He was wonderful to the players and he had their respect. In return for this respect, they gave him 150 percent.”

With a State Championship in hand, and four more in the books, that point would be a tough one to argue.

MissionAccoMplished:

cavaliers Win state Tournament

WORDS GILDA PRUITT



506 S. Lafayette St. • Shelby

704-482-4405“Voted Best of the Best 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009”

Trimmers

Blowers

Edgers

Hedge Trimmers

Chain Saws

Sprayers

echo-usa.com

TC-21021.2cc engineFour, 10-tooth reversible, hardened-steel

tines with a lifetime warrantyTills up to 9” wide furrowsKickstand for easy storage

••

••

Tremendous performance from a small package

Trimmers

SHELBY HARDWARETrimmers

Blowers

Edgers

Hedge Trimmers

Chain Saws

Sprayers

echo-usa.com



••

••


ES-21021.2cc engineCan be used as a handheld shredder/vacuum

or converted to a blower (pipes included)Fully adjustable throttle lock35” long intake tubeLarge two-bushel capacity bag

••

•••

Ideal for residential lawn maintenance

only$249.99

after $50 rebate

only$199.99

regular price $229.99

ES-21021.2cc engineCan be used as a handheld shredder/vacuum

or converted to a blower (pipes included)Fully adjustable throttle lock35” long intake tubeLarge two-bushel capacity bag

••

•••

Ideal for residential lawn maintenance

Trimmers

Blowers

Edgers

Hedge Trimmers

Chain Saws

Sprayers

echo-usa.com



••

••


DREMIEL “BAM” BYERS - Greco-Roman Wrestling Kings Mountain High School

Bam, formerly of Kings Mountain, recently earned a spot on the U.S. national wrestling team which will compete at the 2010 World Championships in Moscow this fall. A member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, Bam recently won the 264.5-pound weight division title at the 2010 U.S. World Team Trials at Council Bluffs, Iowa. A staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, he is an eight-time national champion and won the bronze medal for the United States at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.

JULIAN RIDINGS - Baseball - Crest High School

Julian, a senior centerfielder for the 2010 season, was named the Big South Conference Player of the Year and named to the All-State team. He finished his senior season batting .432 with eight home runs, 22 RBI’s and 28 runs scored and did not commit an error on defense. He will continue his baseball career at Western Carolina University.

5FABCHAD HOLBROOK - BaseballUniversity of South Carolina

Chad, a former Shelby High product and associate head coach of the Gamecocks, reached the pinnacle of his career as the team won the NCAA Men’s College World Series 2010 national championship in Omaha, Neb., by winning the best-of-three series against UCLA with a thrilling 11-inning 2-1 final game. Chad, in his second season with USC as recruiting co-ordinator and hitting instructor, spent 15 years as an assistant coach at UNC.

ANNA MARIE DEDMON - SoccerThomas Jefferson High School

Anna, a freshman at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, was the only freshman chosen to the high school 1-A All State Ladies Soccer Team. She scored 36 goals and was selected All-Conference and All Conference Academic in the Western Highlands Conference. A starter at forward, Anna Marie helped the Gryphons to a 20-4 season in only their second year of competition. The team made it to round two of the state 1A tournament before losing to North Moore High 1-0.

JUNIOR TAR HEEL ALL-STARS - Baseball Shelby, NC

The Shelby City Park Junior Tar Heel All-Stars recently won the state championship in Rocky Mount, N.C. The squad, made up of 13- and 14-year-old players, beat Siler City 8-6 for the title. Coached by Charlie Ruff, Corey Ferree, Terry Dills and Brad Keller, the team went undefeated in both the district and state tournaments. Team members were: Grant Byers, Colby Creswell, Cody Fitch, Ben Gold, Nicholas Hastings, Tripp Hastings, Bradley Keller, Bradford Lail, Jackson Mims, Jay Seagle, Chandler Young and Thomas Weaver.

To nominate an area athlete for the Fab 5, please email [email protected]. All ages and all sports nominations are welcome.



www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com May/June 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 41

Little Debbie 2 Rescue

[email protected]

3 Experienced 3Insured & Bonded

3Affordable!



400 N. Layfayette St., Shelby, NC 704-484-3204

LAUGHLIN’SFURNITURE WAREHOUSE

For All Your Furniture Needs

Ashley • Berkline • Cat-Napper

Plaster Family Dentistry1455 East Marion Street, Suite F, Shelby, NC 28150

HOUrs Monday - Thursday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, with a lunch break from noon until 1:30 PM and on Fridays from 8:30 AM until noon.

COntaCt704-487-7391 and you can also find them on Facebook.

Both types of words are what “Dr. Will,” as he is often called, wants to see.

Dentistry is in his blood as he represents the third generation of Plaster in the practice started by his grandfather in 1939. His grandfather, Dr. Harold E. Plaster, and his father, Dr. Harold E. Plaster, Jr. were his mentors and in the case of his father, partner prior to his retirement in May of this year. Dr. Will continues the long tradition of Plaster Family Dentistry with the goal of continuing to practice the best oral health care possible for his patients.

In theory, that sounds easy. But the Plaster family has delivered their dental care in a slightly different fashion by providing the vast majority of their patient care themselves. This fosters a level of oral health knowledge that Dr. Will finds invaluable in his professional practice.

“The patient’s dental health is absolutely our primary concern,” he says. In referring to his patients, he adds that “I am not your dentist but your oral health physician.” This philosophy may not seem significant to some but for Dr. Will, it is a testament to the way he was taught by his family and the way he learned his profession.

After graduation from the UNC School of Dentistry in 1997, Dr. Will served his country as part of the U.S. Navy. His three years of dental practice during his service included a year-long residency in advanced dental procedures, an experience that allowed Dr. Will to

continue expanding and refining his clinical skills.

While rewarding, thoughts of home were never far away and he jumped at the opportunity to return and practice with his father at their East Marion Street location. This too, was a great opportunity for Dr. Will to manage an office practice while providing hands-on clinical care.

He’s also been blessed with a stable staff who enjoy the type of dentistry practiced here. Anitra Jones, his former dental assistant who returned to school to become a registered dental hygienist, rejoined the practice in June. “I’m really happy to be back home with my work family,” she says, adding that “I am in a new position but I am not a new face.” Sabrina Glenn and Lisa Tolley round out his team.

Dr. Will’s way of delivering patient care is a straightforward one: “Our philosophy is to do things deliberately and carefully, while understanding the needs of the patients.” The result is a practice that can adjust to emergencies and walk-ins but does not rush patients through. “We value our patients’ time and work hard to keep on schedule as this allows me to spend more time quality time with each of them,” he explains.

Dr. Will and his team seem to have found a way to provide not only a comprehensive array of dental and oral health services but to do so in a way that their patients appreciate. And he wouldn’t have it any other way. PFD

The Art of Caring:Plaster Family Dentistry knows its stuffBY MARK ALAN HUDSON, FACHE

Special Advert is ing Sect ion

Will Plaster, DDS, looks over some patient surveys he has received. There is a common theme among the comments shared from his patients. Words like caring, professional, thoughtful and friendly resonate. While these are words of feeling, there are also ones noting quality, expertise and technology.

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com Sept/Oct 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 63 www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com Sept/Oct 2010 Foothi l ls Spot l ight 63

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com64 Foothi l ls Spot l ight Sept/Oct 2010 www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com64 Foothi l ls Spot l ight Sept/October 2010

Year-Round Swim Lessons

For more informationwww.CleveCoYMCA.org

704-484-YMCA

Sign Up Today!

214 A South Lafayette Street, Shelby, NC704-482-9999

Owners Naukisha Wray & Starlett Beam

Flaunt Inc. Boutique Manifest YourselfDesigner Clothing ~ Personal Designing

Image Consulting ~ PhotographyCosmetics ~ Modeling Coaching ~ Event Planning

ViWinTech windows.Easy to clean. Never need painting.• Sashes that tilt in or lift out for easy cleaning from inside your home• Solid vinyl construction that means no scraping, no painting, no puttying — ever• Operating hardware tested for decades of smooth operation• Custom-made for an exact fi t• Strongest warranty in the industry

It’s a great time toinstall energy saving windows!

HENDRICK’S1241 E. DIXON BLVD. • SHELBY, NC

Located On Hwy. 74 Just East Of Walmart

Contact Ned Gold 704-487-7846 Ext. 120

704-284-0010 Mobile

12 Months

“SAME AS

CASH!

O.A.C.

GAS & ELECTRIC APPLIANCES

Up To $1,500 Tax CreditAsk Us About Details

©Co

mm

unity

Firs

tMed

ia

Call for your free in-home

estimate.

Energy Saving Windows Can Save You Hundreds on

Cooling Costs This Summer!

As surely as 1 + 1 = 2, there is a formula forsuccess when students strive to learn. Localbusiness men and women, educators andcommitted young people recently completed areal-worldprojectundertakenthroughtheBusinessEducationAlliance (BEA)of theClevelandCountyChamberofCommerce. It all startedwhen two youngmenapproachedKevin Frane, plant manager of Kitchen VentilationSystems,LLC,inKingsMountainthispastspring.They were interested in learning what skills wereneededtobecomewelders,includingtheeducationrequired and how that would later translate intohoursofworkandpay.Aspartofthatinitialvisit,thestudents toured the facility and watched weldinginprogress. Both students were planning to enroll in theweldingprogramatClevelandCommunityCollegeinthefall,butafterspendingtimeontheshopfloorwith thewelders, only one remained interested inweldingasacareer. Thefactthatonlyoneofthestudentsmaintainedan interest in the welding program gave Kevinreasontopause.Hethoughtaboutthewayhehadenvisioneddifferentcareerswhenhewasyoungerandreasonedthathadhehadmoreinformation,hemighthavereachedagoodconclusionearlierwithless time and money spent in making his careerchoice. Through his work on the BEA, Kevin hadheard of a school project from Kim Davis ofChampionCommunications.Studentshadartfullyrefurbished old newspaper boxes for ChampionCommunications to load with Foothills Spotlight

magazines: these were then placed aroundthecommunity. Kevinenvisionedaprojectthatwouldfollowthesame logicand involveasmany localstudentsaspossible, but this projectwouldgo a step furtherthan the original one to include the design andmanufactureofthenewspaperboxes,incorporatingappropriateartworkintheprocess. Kitchen Ventilation Systems, ChampionCommunications, Cleveland County Schools andClevelandCommunityCollegewerepartnersintheBEAproject,whichwasundertakenthisspring. Ten students from Burns High School and fivestudentsfromCrestHighSchoolparticipated.Thefirst phase of the project, supported by KitchenVentilationSystems,wasthedesignandbuildingofracks. First, students prepared rough drafts of theirproposedracks,andthosedraftswererefinedusingthe Auto Cad system. Next, students researchedblueprinting, bending, rolling, using a laser andwelding. Then they finalized their blueprints andbeganconstruction. Thesecondphaseoftheprojectincludedgraphicdesignandimplementationofdesignontheracks;art teachers, graphic designers and ChampionCommunications supported the activities of thisphase. After students drew rough drafts of theirgraphic design and designs were approved, theydecorated the racks and then prepared them forexposuretotheweather. Afteralltheworkwasdone,participantsjoinedinacelebrationreceptionandaspecialpresentationof their racks to the Business Education Alliance.

TheClevelandCountyChamberOfficeplacedtheracksonexhibituntiltheyweremovedtostrategiclocationstoservetheirintendedpurpose. “Alll50employeesatKitchenVentilationSystemsassisted,”Kevinsays.“Therewashelpfromindustrialengineers, manufacturing engineers, schedulers,welders,bandsawoperatorsandothers.Thiswasanintegratedprojectwitheducators,manufacturingpeople, management, communication specialistsandstudents,allworkingtogetherwithacommongoal. This was a real-life goal in real time — tofinish theprojectby theendof theschoolyear inJune2010. “Itbroadenedthestudents’horizonsinthattheynotonly learnedhow todesignandmanufacture,but they learnedofobstaclessuchasschedulingequipment and capability of equipment.” Kevinalsonotesthattheprojectsparkedthecreativityofyoungadultswhoweretold,“Theskyisthelimit.” These students now have in their arsenal ofknowledge the various concepts that design,manufacturingandmanagementhavetaughtthem.Those learned concepts will stand them in goodsteadas theycontinue theireducationsorsearchforfull-timeemployment. ApositivefootnotetotheprojectwasthatKitchenVentilation Systems was able to make summerjob offers to several students who participatedin this project, providing them even morereal-worldexperience. Kevin isexcited tohavebeen involvedwith thisparticularprojectandislookingforwardtoKitchenVentilation Systems participating in others in thefuture.Itwasawin-winsituationforallinvolved!


Community Involvement Breeds SuccessWORDS GILDA PRUITT



DID YOU KNOW?• In the past year the use of Ecstasy has increased 67%; and teen marijuana use spiked 20%.

• Every day, 2,500 teenagers use a prescription drug to get high for the fi rst time.

NEW LOCATION:941 Wyke Rd. Suite B, Shelby, NC 28150

704-481-0433 email: [email protected] DOT COLLECTION SITE

www.drugforcescreening.com

DOT and Non-DOT testing

Urine

Hair

Alcohol Saliva

Paternity

Available for On-Site CollectionsSelf-Serve &Professional

Pet Salon

Self-Serve Dog Grooming...It’s easy on your pet, your back and your wallet!

Self-Serve &

Dippity DawgSelf-Serve &Professional

Self-Serve Dog Grooming...It’s easy on your pet, your back and your wallet!

Self-Serve &

Dippity DawgDippity DawgDippity Dawg

615 W. Warren St. Shelby, NC 28150Call for information:

704-487-6805www.dippitydawgshelby.com

Owner: Patti Bridges

Young & AssociatesCosmetic Dental Design • General Dentistry

Brenton YoungD.D.S.

Pauline CahillD.D.S.

Eugene YoungD.D.S., F.A.G.D.

shelbyfamilydentist.com 704•482•7986

Welcome New Patients...FREE Dental Whitening Trays

for All New Patients!Call (704) 482-7986and mention this offer

to make an appointment!

Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...Welcome New Patients...FREE Dental Whitening Trays

Young & AssociatesCosmetic Dental Design • Family Dentistry

Special Advert is ing Sect ion


There’s a craziness sweeping the land. But it’s nothing to make you grab a face mask or do extra hand washing. You see, this might best be called a mania, or an obsession with anything local. First it was history, then music and food hit the stage; now it encompasses crafts and clothing, and just about everything else you can imagine. Instead of the huge anonymous cities that appear off in the future of human kind, some of us want our place in this world to be attractive, comfortable and human scale.

In the beginning it was about understanding our roots and our genes, followed by our longing for the sounds and tastes of Baby Boomer childhood. When food from hundreds or thousands of miles away threatened sickness, the safety of local foods became more important than nostalgia.

But beginning about 2008, the mania switched tracks in tandem with the economy. It was still about local, but this time it was about the economy and it took on a righteous tone like never before.

There was even a new name for the person who practiced what was labeled as a blend of new era capitalism and self-reliance. Meet the Locovore, originally meaning one who eats only what is grown in his or her locale. This is the neighbor who seeks out the farmers markets early in the morning or finds that independent grocery store that carries local meats and fruit. The Locovore can go on about the superior taste of heirloom tomatoes, spicy Italian greens from local

farms, and the differences in the honeys produced by Joe in Casar or Elizabeth in Lawndale.

Locovore version 2.0 is not just interested in where the beans were grown, but also encourages neighbors to use the local hardware store in town or switch to a locally owned garage. Watch this space for more details (and the math that will show how it works) in the months to come.

Locovores? In Shelby? Well, we might know them better as our neighbors Mary and Joe than as Locovores. But a good number of us fall into the category. We could even say that some pre-Locovores were the people who formed Uptown Shelby Association in 1980 (incorporating in 1982), those 30 years ago. Those founders wanted to keep Uptown Shelby’s heart healthy and alive. Today Shelby is joined by Kings Mountain, Forest City, Lincolnton and Rutherfordton in the national Main Street Program.

There was an effort to get local produce on local tables in the original Farmers Market in Uptown as well, and the new Foothills Farmers Market that brings farmers to Court Square and the Cleveland County Health Department. Early Locovores were in hog heaven when they started the Livermush Expo to explore the traditional food ways of the southern Piedmont.

This year you can get out and celebrate the local traditions of livermush, along with FallFest for the kids on Saturday, Oct. 23. There’s the pet parade,

costumes, fun tastes, new things to learn. That weekend also marks this year’s longer Art of Sound Festival in Uptown Shelby.

And for those newer version Locovores, the upcoming holiday shopping season offers a great chance to prove the value of a local dollar. Quality and impact are just two good reasons to shop in your hometown. Great music and entertainment at the Don Gibson Theatre make the case even stronger.

Take pride in being a Locovore as you enjoy what is around you. You are part of a big and growing national phenomenon.

Editor’s Note: Wade Nichols is executive director of Uptown Shelby Association, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. For more information on business programs and community events, see www.uptownshelby.org or find the association on Facebook for up-to-date schedules.

Locofor LocalWORDS wade nicholS


Salon 206~ 206 S. Washington St. ~ Uptown Shelby ~

Walk-ins Welcome704.487.8440

CayceRenfroeowner/stylist

Lisa Simpson

owner/stylist

Laura Gant-Eslick

stylist

Mary Beth Koelle

stylist

Services we provideour clients:

Latest Foiling Techniques ~ Textured Waves

Latest Keratin Smoothing Systems

Formal Styles ~ Customized Personal Look

Facial Waxing ~ Modern Cuts

Innovative Color Design ~ Multi-Coloring

PHOTOJOURNALIST RUSTY PATTERSON

u Aerial view of uptown Shelby and Court Square c.1963. The historic Courthouse will soon be home to: The Earl Scruggs Center: Music & Stories of the Carolina Foothills

v Control arms used to turn hands on the face of the clock.w Up close image of bell denotes manufacturer’s markings; B. Howard & Company, New York, Boston, Chicago, 1908.

x View inside the dome of the former courthouse shows the bell and striker.y Detailed view inside the dome shows the clock’s mechanism and controls.

v w

x y

u


v w

Inside theDome

u

www.foothi l lsspot l ight.com36 Foothi l ls Spot l ight Jan/Feb 2010


SITES, SOUNDS& TASTES

SEPTEMBER 2010

9/4 3rd Annual Redbone Willy’s Blue Grass & Peddler’s Festival 10am-10pm. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the event and children under 12 FREE. For more information: www.Redbonewilly.com

9/6 Williams Observatory Open House, Opens at sunset. Astronomy presentations and special telescope viewings. Held at Gardner-Webb University campus in Boiling Springs, NC. 704-406-3804, www.gardner-webb.edu/astro

9/9 - 10/14 Made for Each Other. Mon-Friday 9-5:30pm.and the first Sat. 10-2:00pm. Entry deadline: June 4, 2010. Enter a juried art exhibition featuring ceramic cream & sugar sets. Free event. For more details call the Cleveland County Arts Council, 704-484-2787; 111 S. Washington Street, Shelby, NC; or [email protected]

9/10-12 The Gibson Theatre Film Weekend “Revolution-aries” $6/each, Weekend Pass $25, Weekend Pass for 2 only $35. “F is for Fake” was Orson Welles’ final film. “Cleo From 5 to 7,” “Knife in the Water,” “Gimme Shelter” is the Rolling Stones tour documentary, Nicolas Roeg’s Masterpiece “Walk-about,” Leno Horne, Fatz Waller and the Nicholaz Brothers in “Stormy Weather,” “Wings of Desire,” and “Picnic at Hanging Rock.” The Don Gibson Theatre, 308 S. Washington St., Shelby 704-487-8114, www.DGShelby.com

9/11 Patriot Day Observance. 12 noon. Kings Mountain City Hall Plaza, 704-734-0333. www.CityofKM.com 9/11 Kingstown NC Gospel Fest Block Party. 11:00am-until. Please contact Mattie Briscoe of KCDC, phone 704-345-72143 or 704-482-4211 9/11 & 18 International Demolition Derby. Time starts at 7:30pm.-.until. Many events to enter for the 2 day events and lots of fun for all. For more information 704-434-2866 or [email protected], Sponsored by Boiling Springs

9/17-18 Dirty Dancing Festival at Lake Lure Lakeside Film Screening @ Firefly Cove. Friday, Sept. 17th, 7pm; Family Dance Festival Saturday, Sept. 18th, 9am-4pm; ‘Time of Your Life’ Gala @ Firefly Cove Saturday, Sept. 18th, 6-10:30pm; Tickets & More Info: www.DirtyDancingFestival.com

9/18 Twin Pinks Enduro 8:00am. Four laps, two peaks, one mission. Register at: www.sportoften.com/events. Join others at the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail; 807 S. Battleground Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC; Contact; [email protected]. Or call 704-734-0333 9/18 Open Water Swim Challenge. Moss Lake 8:00am. More than 300 swimmers from across the region will participate in the Western North Carolina Open Water Swim Challenge on Moss Lake. Four races: 5km(3.1 mile); 3km (1.8 mile); 2 km (1.2 mile); and a 500p (546 yards) sprint. If interested in swimming call 704-907-1983 or [email protected] or www.shartsaquaticclub.com/openwater.html

9/18 “Y’art Sale”. 8-12:00 Free event. A great way to purchase some new art materials, supplies, pottery, framed prints or painting, art books, anything art related to benefit the Arts Council, 111 S. Washington Street, Shelby, NC; Phone 704-484-2787; or [email protected]

9/23 Cleveland County Astronomical Society at the Williams Observatory 7:30 pm. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Gardner-Webb University campus in Boiling Springs, NC. 864-839-9424, www.ccastro.org

9/24 CCTA Fall Classic, USTA Adult tennis tournament. Cleveland Country Club, 1360 East Marion Street, Shelby, 704-482-1711, www.clevelandcountytennis.com

9/30 - 10/9 Cleveland County Fair. Times vary per day. 1751 East Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28152, 704-487-0651 www.clevelandcountyfair.com

OCTOBER 2010

10/2 Del Castillo 8pm $32. “Tumbling brilliance on nylon stringed classical guitars features jaw dropping dual leads. The eruptions of technique and taste conjure up images of Eddie Van Halen fronting early Santana with an assist from the Gypsy Kings.” – ROLLING STONE. The Don Gibson Theatre, 308 S. Washington St., Shelby 704-487-8114, www.DGShelby.com

10/2 March for Babies. 8:30am Walk begins 10:00am.This march begins at Shelby City Park, 850 W. Sumter Street, Shelby, NC; To register go to: www.marchforbabies,org; or call 704-484-6821

10/3 “Blessing of the Animals”. 6:00pm on the Court Square, Shelby, NC Sponsored by Association for the Welfare of Animals. Offering honorary and memorial luminariesFor information contact 704-487-6555

10/4 Williams Observatory Open House at sunset. Astronomy presentations and special telescope viewings. Gardner-Webb University campus in Boiling Springs, NC; www.gardner-webb.edu/astro; 704-406-3804

10/9 The Gateway Festival. 10-5:00pm. This Festival includes antiques, art, crafts, amusements, food, music, Revolutionary Reenactors, story telling, art show, and an antique car show. Entertainment for the whole family. Battleground Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC; www.cityofkm.org; 704-734-0333

10/16 Leonard McSwain Band Live at Leatherwoods. 7 pm. $10. Live At Leatherwoods, 4837 Fallston Road, Downtown Fallston, 704-481-1332; liveatleatherwoods.com

10/16 Hospice of Cleveland County Yard Sale. 7-11:00am. Come by and shop on Saturday and enjoy live music by Rock Springs Bluegrass and barbecue ribs by Skip Warrick. To pre-order call 704-4487-4677. Hospice Cleveland County; 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC; 704-487-4677

10/21-23 8th Annual Art of Sound Music Festival. Fri. 8-11 pm/Sat. 11 am-11 pm. A variety of musicians and groups will perform in several different venues with music and fun for everyone. Beer garden on Washington Street during event. Cleveland County Arts Council, 111 S. Washington St., Uptown Shelby; www.ccartscouncil.org; 704-484-2787

10/22 Chitty Family Memorial Futures NCL5 Tennis Tournament. Cleveland Country Club, 1360 East Marion Street, Shelby, 704-482-1711, www.clevelandcountytennis.com

10/22, 23, 29, 30 Haunted Hay Rides. Starts at dark and goes until. Fun activities for the whole family. Call 704-434-2866 for more information. Bar H Ranch, Hwy 150. S. Boiling Springs, NC. [email protected]

10/23 Livermush Expo. 10am-5pm. Taste Shelby’s famed Livermush and learn new recipes. Mack’s Livermush will be selling their famous livermush sandwiches. Area restau-rants will have samples of their livermush dishes. First ever, LIVERMUSH POKER RUN! Bike registration opens at 10 am, first bike out at noon. Enjoy the husband calling contest spon-sored by WADA radio. Media sponsor Cleveland Headline News. Uptown Shelby Historic Court Square, Washington Street. 704-482-7882; www.TourClevelandCounty.com

10/23 Shelby Fall Festival. 10am-12pm. Dress up and be a part of the children’s costume parade in Uptown Shelby on the Court Square. Shelby businesses will sponsor games, treats and crafts for children of all ages. Friendly dog and cat PET PARADE, face painting, pumpkin painting and photos with your pet or just you. CAROLINA RAPTOR CENTER will be there with birds of prey. (rain date Oct. 31) Uptown Shelby Historic Court Square, Washington Street. 704-484-3100, www.UptownShelby.org

10/23 Kingstown NC Annual Cancer Awareness Walk. March starts at 9:00am. From the Park to Palmer Grove Baptist Church, 1606 Kingstown Road, Kingstown, NC and the ceremony begins at 10:00. Coordinator: Mattie Briscoe – 704-345-7213 for 704-482-4211 of KCDC

10/28 - 11/24 “Shavings & Thrums”. Mon.-Fri. 9-5:30 & First Sat. 10-2:00pm. A juried exhibition that seeks to showcase a wide range of outstanding works related to fiber and wood media. Entry deadline: July 30, 2010. Free event. Cleveland County Arts Council, 111 S. Washington Street, Shelby, NC; call 704-484-2787 or [email protected]

10/28 Cleveland County Astronomical Society at the Williams Observatory 7:30 pm. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Gardner-Webb University campus in Boiling Springs, NC. 864-839-9424, www.ccastro.org

10/29 Kings Mountain Great Pumpkin Halloween Parade 10am. Downtown Kings Mountain. 704-734-0333. www.CityofKM.com

For more info call: 704.482.7882 or call toll free

1.866.305.9973


243 South ............................................................................................................................. 36Absolute Collision .................................................................................................................. 73Allen Tate ............................................................................................................................... 11American Restoration ............................................................................................................ 36Art of Sound .......................................................................................................................... 29Barleys .................................................................................................................................. 45Bayada .................................................................................................................................. 32Bellus Tu Spa ........................................................................................................................ 49Bootstrap .............................................................................................................................. 59Bradley’s ................................................................................................................................ 59Carolina FCU ......................................................................................................................... 28CaroMont .............................................................................................................................. 10Carter Cheverlot .................................................................................................................... 45Casper’s Closet ..................................................................................................................... 22Champion Communications ............................................................................................... 6,22Chole’s Boutique ................................................................................................................... 32Chole’s 2 ............................................................................................................................... 45CIS ........................................................................................................................................ 17City of Shelby ........................................................................................................................ 42Cleveland County Fair ......................................................................................................... 2,42Cleveland County Health Care System .................................................................................... 4Cleveland Lumber.................................................................................................................. 15Computer Connections ......................................................................................................... 22Cornerstone .......................................................................................................................... 66Cottonwood .......................................................................................................................... 66Country Club ........................................................................................................................... 9CPTrx .................................................................................................................................... 19Davis Mary Kay ...................................................................................................................... 36Dippity Dawg ......................................................................................................................... 66Don Gibson Theater .............................................................................................................. 42Drug Force ............................................................................................................................ 66Eddie Holbrook ...................................................................................................................... 13Eddie Holbrook & Chad Holbrook .......................................................................................... 52Flaunt .................................................................................................................................... 64Fox Distributing...................................................................................................................... 56Got You Covered ................................................................................................................... 59Graciono’s ............................................................................................................................. 63Gragg & Gragg, LLP ........................................................................................................... 3,42Green River ............................................................................................................................. 9H&H Pest .............................................................................................................................. 64Hallelujah Acres ..................................................................................................................... 11Hamrick’s Produce ................................................................................................................ 15Hendrick’s ............................................................................................................................. 64Holly’s Flowers ....................................................................................................................... 38Hope Animal .......................................................................................................................... 49Hospice ................................................................................................................................. 33It’s All in the Bag .................................................................................................................... 17Kitchen and Bath of Shelby ................................................................................................... 71Laughlin Furniture .................................................................................................................. 15Little Debbie .......................................................................................................................... 15Lora Gold NC Farm Bureau ................................................................................................... 19Monroe Tires ......................................................................................................................... 46Norris Furniture ...................................................................................................................... 48Owl’s Eye ............................................................................................................................... 46Phyllis’ Cakes .......................................................................................................................... 9Pine Grove Golf Club ............................................................................................................. 21Plaster Family Dentist ............................................................................................................ 62Pleasant City Wood Fired Grill ................................................................................................ 48Positively Paper ..................................................................................................................... 46PSU ....................................................................................................................................... 32Remax ................................................................................................................................... 42Salon 206 .............................................................................................................................. 69Salon Palazo ......................................................................................................................... 45Scissor Smith and Co. Salon ................................................................................................. 36Southeast Plastic Surgery ...................................................................................................... 27Settle ................................................................................................................................ 61,75Shelby Eye Center .............................................................................................................. 8,61Shelby Hardware ................................................................................................................... 59Shelby Surgical ...................................................................................................................... 28Shope Shoes ......................................................................................................................... 45Sluggerz ................................................................................................................................ 60Sterling House ....................................................................................................................... 21Summit Place ........................................................................................................................ 19Suzy B’s ................................................................................................................................ 21Teddy and Meekins ................................................................................................................ 76The Hearing Aid Center ......................................................................................................... 73Town of Forest City ................................................................................................................ 63Two Doors Down/Frame Masters........................................................................................... 38Uptown Shelby Association ................................................................................................... 21Victorian Rose Gallery ............................................................................................................ 69Walker Carpet ........................................................................................................................ 17Walker Wood ........................................................................................................................... 5WGWG .................................................................................................................................. 28Woodmill WInery .................................................................................................................... 37YMCA ............................................................................................................................... 49,64Young & Associates ............................................................................................................... 67

Ad

vert

iser

s In

dex

Angela GoodrichNC Licensed 18 years, Owner since 2003

Nationally Board Certified, Hearing Instrument Sciences since 1996

2270 US Hwy 74A, Suite 520 Forest City, NC 828-245-5050201 West Marion St., Suite 200 Shelby, NC 704-484-8041

The Hearing Aid Center

Let our team of professionals provide you with the right combination of technology, care and service!

The Hearing Aid Center has been in operation for 22 years.

We strive to offer you the best hearing devices available plus an exceptional patient experience!

reflections {from the well}

WORDS REV. CRYSTAL CHAMPION

Perspectives: It’s all in how we look at life While playing an animal guessing game withmy5-year-oldnephewnot longago, Iaskedhim,“Is theanimalbig?”His insightful replywas,“Toamouse,itwouldbebigbuttoanelephant,itwouldbesmall.”Andhereinliesperspective. NowworkingasaconsultantinSouthCarolina’slargest residential child care agency, I find myselfchallengeddailybyothers’perspectives.Nodoubtotherswouldbechallengedbymineaswell.Nottofoolmyself;however,IfindthatmyperspectivesareoftenveryclosetothatofthechildrenwithwhomIamprivilegedtowork.Perhapshavingspentthemajorityofthelast35yearsworkingwithsomewhatdifficultchildrenbiasesmeinthatdirection. Sitting in a recent Sunday worship service, Ibecame tearful thinking of how much I missedmy family living just several hours away. We hadvacationedtogetherthepreviousweekandImissedthem,especiallythechildren.Thelittlefellowsittingnexttomereachedoutandtookmyhandandhelditforsometime.Iimmediatelythoughtbacktohisarrivaldateashelookedatmeandsaid,“Whycan’tmyparentsbeinthesameprison?NowIcan’tseethemtogether.” Not thatmypainwasnot felt, but hispainputmine in a different perspective. My 10-year-oldniece,Jenna,wasvisitingwithmeatthechildren’shome and some of the children were fascinatedwithher.Inthecrowdshelookedjustliketherestof

them.Jennawasshowingthempictures frommywalletofherparents.Oneof theyounggirlssaid,“Doyougettostaywiththem?” Jenna could not respond to this because thequestionmadenosensetoher.Thereweretwoverydifferentperspectivesofparentsfromtwodifferentlittlegirls.Ittooksomeexplainingfrommelaterthateveningonwhatwasmeantbythatquestion.IwasnotsureJennaunderstoodwhat itmeant for thatother littlegirl tohavetodealwith“Mama’srightswereabouttobeterminated”orthatshehadonlyseenherfatheronceinher13years. Jennahadarestlesssleepthatnightandshecriedoutforhermamaanddaddy.Thenextmorning,shegaveallhercandytothechildren.Moreimportantly,shesharedwithme thatshewanted toplaywitheachchild thatday,doing something special thatonlysheorhewantedtodo. Learningtolookatothers’perspectivesiscriticalto maturity. And it takes practice. In the 1960s, IrememberwellMamaraisingmoneytobuyaswingset for an impoverished family in the community.Herperspectivewasthattheydidn’thaveanythingto play on outside and that the children were indangerastheyplayed in thestreet.Shewasmetwithcriticismassomedidnotfeelthiswasmeetingabasicneed.SheignoredthemandseveralweekslaterDaddyassembledtheswings. Decisionsaremadebasedonourperspectives.

Do we not live out our lives interpreting ourperspectives? Isn’t that why we have differentpolitical parties and religious denominations andattendprivateorpublic school?Anddoesn’t thatcome into play concerning our relationships aswell? In working with children, my expertise andsuccesscomefrombeingableto lookat lifefromtheirperspectives.Buttherealgifttomehasbeeninthechildrenbeingabletoseeandsometimesevenunderstandmyperspectives.Andveryoften,Ifindthat in understanding each other, we experiencepeaceandhope. It is theverycoreofministry,atleastfrommyperspective. Once, when my brother’s youngest son, Taylor(known tomeasTaterBug),was5yearsold,hewas visiting me for the weekend. That Saturdayafternoon I took a hard fall, slipping on somepuddinghehadspilled.Iimmediatelyknewthatmyanklewasbroken.After I regainedsomesenseofconsciousness, I crawled tomybedandphonedfor help. I can still remember the horrible pain.Taylorcametomeintearsandshowedmehistrainengine.Hecriedsoftly,“AuntSissel,youfellonmytrainandyoubrokeit.” Perspective.

Peace to you as you listen to other people’s stories and their perspectives.


www.SettleInWithComfort.com

2221 South Post Road • Shelby, NC

704-481-1788

Settle Heating and Air hasprovided quality heating,ventilation and air conditioning services to homes andbusinesses since 1998.

For more information on Tax Credits and our Comfort Agreements, call us today!

Foothills Spotlight Sept/Oct 2010

Documents

Transcript of Foothills Spotlight Sept/Oct 2010