Gaston County’s
The Banner News / banner-news.com
Page 1
FREE!
News from a neighbor! Volume 88 • Issue 39
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Stanley Country Fest Carnival
October 1st, 2022 • 9:00am - 4:00pm Main Street • Stanley, NC The annual festival will feature live music, rides, arts and crafts for the whole family, and lots of food! All-you-can-ride armbands are $12 and are for sale at Town Hall Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5:00pm through Sept. 30th or until sold out The cost of armbands at the ticket booth will be $22
• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Thursday, September 29, 2022
New Belmont Farmers Market draws a crowd By Alan Hodge alan@cfmedia.info
The new Belmont Farmers Market held its grand opening last Thursday on Glenway St. downtown and a good number of folks showed up to peruse and purchase the goodies on offer. Around two dozen vendors were selling a wide variety of locally grown and produced items such as honey, cookies, bread, mushrooms, flowers, jam, jelly, and vegetables. Other vendors offered top shelf coffee, tea, gourmet dog treats, and herbal items. Representatives from farms that raise beef cattle were also there. The crowd was an eclectic blend of folks who filled the
marketspace as they strolled along taking in the sights and smells. Some people brought their kids. Kiera Klein had her daughters along. “I brought them to show how important it is to support local businesses and the community,” she said. Nine-year-old Fiona Klein was having fun. “I like it,” she said. Sister 7-year-old Mia sampled a local honey-filled straw. “This is great,” she said. Vendors were also pumped. Gray Shipley was there representing his Shipley Farms Beef farm near Boone.
“My sister lives in Belmont,” he said, “I’m having a great time at the market.” Matt Baum from Mooresville had a tent set up selling his Festin Bakery goods. “This is a great turnout,” he said. “Everyone is excited to buy local products.” Market organizer Ryan Murphy was on hand meeting and greeting folks. “It’s exciting to see the outcome of all the work we put into making the market happen,” he said. “We had fantastic support from the vendors and the community.” The next Belmont Farmers Market is set for October 20 from 3-7pm on Glenway St. Don’t miss it!
Mia Cantwell, Fiona Klein, and Mia Klein sampling local honey straws at the Belmont Farmers Market. More scenes from the day on page 3. Photo by Alan Hodge
Duke Energy provides $25k grant to Belmont The Duke Energy Foundation recently distributed $500,000 in grants to help small businesses across North Carolina – from restaurants to retailers – continue their ongoing recovery from economic challenges initially
triggered by the pandemic. This is the second year Duke Energy has provided targeted grants in support of downtowns throughout the state. The Downtown Belmont Development Assoc., Inc. received $25k. The ceremo-
nial check presentation took place last Thursday on the steps of City Hall. The check was presented by Duke Energy representative Martha Wegner. “The Downtown Belmont Development Association is
Hurricane season is upon us By Alan Hodge alan@cfmedia.info
It seems like the month of September and hurricanes have a history around here. North Carolina is the fourth worst state for hurricanes in the U.S. The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1 and ends on November 30, but the Tar Heel State is most at risk for hurricanes during the months of August, September, and October. Most of the devastating hurricanes to hit the state in recent history occurred in these months. On September 11, 2017, Hurricane Irma’s “backlash”
came to our end of Gaston County. Irma brought local winds at a steady 20-25mph with overnight gusts to 40mph. Sheets of rain fell throughout the period. Parts of Belmont were without power, phone, or internet service. Besides Belmont, power outage areas also included Mt. Holly, Ranlo, and Stanley. In Belmont two large trees fell. On Todd St. a tree split in half and blocked the roadway as well as pulling down power lines. On Central Avenue, a massive oak on the grounds of Stowe Manor also
knocked down several other large trees on its way to the ground. The root ball was over six feet in diameter. On September 14, 2018, Hurricane Florence brought torrents of rain to Gaston County. As usual, before the storm even got here, folks rushed to stores and stripped the bottled water and other drink supplies shelves clean. Local municipalities braced for the blow and made contingency arrangements early in the week. Local fire and police departments made See HURRICANE, Page 4
Duke Energy representative Martha Wegner (blue blouse), and various dignitaries and personages with the $25,000 check. extremely honored to be a recipient of the Duke Energy Foundation Hometown Revitalization grant to continue investing in downtown Belmont’s transformation,” said Emilie Rudisill, vice chair,
DBDA. “Vibrant downtowns are critical to attracting new business activity and assisting our existing businesses build a stronger foundation for long-term success.” The $25,000 grants were
awarded to 20 nonprofits, each representing one community. That organization will establish a small-business support microgrant program and deploy the funding See GRANT, Page 3
SPREAD SOME NATURAL BEAUTY MULCH • STONES • SOIL | LanierMaterialSales.com | 704-827-7055