gordonaccounting@att.net
704-435-8297
Please Call For Appointment
12/28/23
Accounting & Tax Service Judy Gordon
FAX: 704-435-8298
109 W. Main Street • Cherryville, NC 28021
Volume 117 • Issue 3
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
75¢
Senator Ted Alexander sworn in at City’s first council meeting of 2023 Other business includes approving two zoning issues, audit news, and Cherryville Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Pete Chamber’s Craft, of Stamey – Cherryville Funeral Home, give the City “Year in Review” Council the 2022 “Year in Review” report last Monday night, January 9, 2023. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
Chamber chairman Craft gives Council “Year in Review 2022” report Chamber had sponsorship totals of $25,150 and volunteer hours totaled 488 by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
At the Monday night, Jan. 9, 2023 regular city council meeting, Cherryville Chamber Board Chairman Pete Craft gave the Chamber’s 2022 Year in Review report, outlining how things went for the Chamber in all its endeavors. Starting off, Mr. Craft noted to council it has “… been a great privilege” for him to be the Chairman
of the Chamber, and how much he enjoys what he does as the chair. “To start this review off, we have had seven (7) ribbon cuttings, three of which were actually expansions,” said Craft. “Those seven were at Turner Animal Clinic, Frank Zayas Photography, the new Cherryville YMCA building (an expansion), Hometown Healthy (an expansion), Main Street Urgent Care, Caromont Urgent Care (an expansion), and Piedmont Lithium Foundation Office.” Craft continued, “We assisted with the dedication ceremony for the newly revitalized Belk office and See REVIEW, Page 2
by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
At last Monday’s Jan. 9 2023 regular city council meeting – the first of the new year 2023 – council started the year off right by approving the regular city council meeting minutes of Dec. 12, 2022. There was no December work session as it had been previously canceled due to its being so close to the Christmas holiday. In Mayor Beam’s comments, he noted it was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Week and he thanked Interim Chief Brian Doolittle and the men and women of the Cherryville Police Department for their service to our community, putting their lives on the line every day for the citizens of Cherryville. Mayor Beam also noted the city applied for a $114,000 federal grant to get the police department a new roof and to get an interior lift pump installed. “Also,” Mayor Beam added, “interviews for the
As members of the Cherryville City Council look on, Republican Sen. Ted Alexander (NC Dist. 44) is sworn in by Superior Court Judge Justin Davis. With him and holding the Bible is his wife, Patti. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media) position of police chief for Cherryville have started and we are anticipating having a new chief in place by February.” Mayor Beam also took a moment to give a “shout out” to the city’s Public Works Department. Mayor Beam ended his comments by telling those at the council regular session it is a sad day for the citizens of Cherryville as the town recently lost its longest serving mayor, Robert Austell, who passed away Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. Mayor Austell was preceded in death by his wife, Caryl Beam Austell, who passed in October 2022. Councilman Jon Abernethy
led everyone in a prayer for the family of Mayor Austell. Council’s special guest for the evening was Sen. Ted Alexander (R-NC Dist. 44), of Shelby, who chose Cherryville’s council meeting of Monday night at which to be sworn in. Senator Alexander was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Justin Davis. With Sen. Alexander was his wife, Patti, and daughter, Christine. His son, Will, was unable to be with them at the swearing-in. After his swearing in, Sen. Alexander took the podium and thanked everyone who came to watch his swearing in, most especially his wife and daughter, Patti
and Christina, but, added Sen. Alexander, “I also want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Also in attendance were many Republican party officials from Cleveland and Gaston County as well as Gaston County’s new sheriff, Chad Hawkins and his wife, Abbie. Senator Alexander noted that while many office holders are sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution as a part of their oath of office, there are many who don’t know that much about the N.C. State Constitution, copies of which he had handed out earlier, before the council session. He noted the Old See ALEXANDER, Page 2
CLT’s play, “Importance of Being Earnest”, to start Feb. 3 by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
The Summey House, on South Dixie Street in Cherryville, currently undergoing renovation and repair. (photo provided)
Dixie Street’s 100-plus year old Summey House gets new look Never too late for an old beauty with “good bones” to get extra-special attention by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
An early 20th Century house on South Dixie Street
is getting not only some new owners but a new look as well. It’s never too late for an old beauty like that – and one with “good bones” no less! – to get a little extra-special attention. Enter into this story the person of Mrs. Lorene Neill Summey, a current resident of Somerset Court in Cherryville, who recently celebrated her 105th birthday. She was born in the house See DIXIE, Page 3
The Cherryville Little Theatre has an upcoming play scheduled to be performed Feb. 3 and 4, at 7 p.m., according to play producer, Lutricia Bennett. The theater is located at 301 W. Academy St., Cherryville. “The play will also be performed Feb. 5 at 3 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10, and 11, at 7 p.m., and Feb. 12, at 3 p.m.,” said Mrs. Bennett, adding, “The show is ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, and instead of it being set in the 1890’s in England, the director is taking liberties and changing the setting to America in the 1960’s.” For those who may not know about the play Bennett said, “‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, is a ‘Trivial Comedy for Serious People’. It is a comedy where two friends use the same pseudonym (Earnest) for their on-the-sly activities.”
Chris Stone, Madison Avery, and Angie Dolan go over their parts at one of the play practices for “The Importance of Being Earnest” play, set to be produced by the Cherryville Little Theater. (photo provided) Bennett noted Erika Shelton is directing this comedy, originally set – as was noted – in the 1890’s. “However, as I noted earlier, Erika is changing the setting to 1960’s America. This show has brilliant acting and promises to be
704-484-1047
Every Wednesday
an entertaining show full of punch-lines,” said Mrs. Bennett. Essentially, and to firm up more about what the gist of the play’s story arc is, Bennett said, “It’s the story of two bachelors, John ‘Jack’ Worthing and Al-
gernon ‘Algy’ Moncrieff, who create alter egos. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. Jack and Algy struggle to maintain their deceptions and as the See PLAY, Page 4