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2023 backpack giveaway at First Wesleyan a great success Volunteer group usually gives out 150-plus backpacks during the event by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Every year, as they have since 2013, Cherryville Area Ministries (CAM), along with several area churches, has a Back-toSchool Backpack Giveaway for Cherryville area kids getting ready for the halls of academia. This year the host church was Cherryville’s First Wesleyan Church, stepping up again for their second time of hosting the event.
The band, The Table, performing Christian songs worshipping and praising the Lord at last Saturday’s, Aug. 12, 2023 Back-to-School backpack giveaway at First Wesleyan Church. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
According to its sponsors and many volunteers, the program has been uber-successful and helps out so many children and their parents in that the stuffedfull-of-supplies backpacks are all “grade-centric”; that is, they have pretty much all the necessary scholastic essentials inside to make little Johnny and little Suzy succeed in school, all because they came prepared. This year’s opening day was held on Saturday, Aug. 12, and, as per one of the many super-great (and helpful) volunteers, Kim Eaker, all went well from start to finish. Helping Ms. Eaker were Barbara Curry and Barbara McDaniel. Said Ms. Eaker, “CAM
puts this on every year, along with several area churches. We even held it during COVID, though things were done a little differently then. Also, this is First Wesleyan’s second time hosting the event, and next year it will be at Second Baptist Church. As for how long we have been doing this, I believe it was started in 2013 by my daughter, Kelly Eaker and Betsy Dellinger.” The CAM group was joined in the Lord’s work by four ladies who volunteered to cut hair for many of the students who wanted (or needed) it, and the First Baptist Church Praise band, known as “The Table”, sang See BACKPACK, Page 4
It’s back to school Dr. Charles Haddock newest time for 30,000 dentist at Cloninger Dentistry Gaston County Schools students Works alongside Dr. Cloninger and Dr. Delores Hammer in Cherryville office
Students return to class on Wednesday, Aug. 16 to begin the 2023-2024 academic year
by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
by TODD HAGANS Chief Communications Officer
GASTONIA, N.C. – It’s back-to-school time in Gaston County! On Wednesday, Aug. 16, approximately 30,000 students (pre-kindergarten through high school) and more than 1,900 teachers in Gaston County Schools return to class to begin the 2023-2024 academic year. Students, parents, and school employees are looking ahead to the new school year with enthusiasm and optimism. It is the goal of all teachers and school employees to provide quality opportunities for students to learn, grow, and thrive at the district’s 56 schools. Elementary schools operate from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., and middle schools and high schools operate from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Parents should check with their child’s school for the exact schedule as start/end times for some schools may vary. The start/end times coincide with a two-tier model
used for bus transportation. The two-tier model makes it possible for bus drivers to complete two routes in the morning and two routes in the afternoon – a driver has an elementary route first and then a middle school or a high school route. The twotier model is intended to get students to school and back home in a timely manner and ensure that there are enough bus drivers. In addition to focusing on continued academic growth and higher achievement, providing a safe school environment for students and employees remains a priority. Gaston County Schools is proud of its on-going partnership with the Gaston County Police Department, Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, and municipal law enforcement agencies, which are committed to doing everything possible to ensure that schools are secure and personnel are prepared should any type of emergency situation occur. Each school follows its comprehensive safety plan; as See SCHOOL, Page 2
Cloninger Dentistry has another doctor to provide top-notch dental care at its Cherryville location at 1015 East Church St., in the person of Dr. Charles L. Haddock. Doctor Haddock, DMD, joins with Dr. Paul Cloninger and Dr, Delores Hammer in seeing patients at the Cherryville location, and he noted in the recent interview that he and his wife, Halie, both “…graduated from East Carolina University’s School of Dental Medicine in 2022, which is actually where we met.”
Front desk receptionist, Tonya Harris, looks at check-in information with Dr. Charles L. Haddock, the newest dentist at Dr. Paul Cloninger’s office in Cherryville. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media) Said Dr. Haddock, “She worked in private practice the past year while I went
on to complete a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry resi-
dency through ECU at their Robeson County Community See HADDOCK, Page 10
U.S. Sen. Tedd Budd endorses Mark Robinson in NC Governor race by ALEX BALTZEGAR Carolina Journal
On Tuesday, Aug. 8, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s campaign announced that North Carolina’s junior U.S. Senator, Ted Budd, has endorsed Robinson in his bid for governor. “We need a governor focused on the bottom line for North Carolina families, a strong voice for all who live paycheck to paycheck, and wonder whether their kids will find a job,” Budd said in a video endorse-
ment. “Mark Robinson has the courage we need as governor. He’s a man of faith and conviction, and he hasn’t spent his whole life in politics. He’s seen adversity, and he’s risen above it. The American dream is engrained in Mark Robinson, and he’ll preserve it for the next generation.” Robinson is the clear frontrunner governor in the Republican primary. He will face off against former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, State Treasurer Dale Folwell, See ROBINSON, Page 4
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North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson (left) and U.S. Sen. Ted Budd (right) stand with former President Donald Trump (center). (photo courtesy of the Rockingham County Republican Party)