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Volume 117 • Issue 4
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Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Brandon Hunsucker Cherryville-area luthier hand Cherryville’s newest builds playable works of art Police Chief The profession of law enforcement is in his blood; in his family’s roots
by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
The City of Cherryville has a new police chief and his name may be familiar to some of the folks who have lived here for a while. Brandon Hunsucker, is the city’s new “Top Cop” and his dad, Ken, was the Chief of Police in the 90s. Chief Hunsucker, a 27year law enforcement veteran, takes over the helm from Chief Cam Jenks, who took a position with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office last month. According to information from the City of Cherryville’s web site, Chief Hunsucker comes to Cherryville from the City of Lincolnton Police Department. While there he served as a Narcotics Investigator on a DEA Task Force. He and his wife, Shelly, and son, Lane, currently reside
that.” In addition to their wonderful and talented kids, Eric and Lee smile and note they are also the proud parents of “…a whole bunch of furry children,” as they are surrounded by a host of tail-wagging, very friendly and happy dogs and more than a few friendly (and loving) cats. Though Eric said he has been a woodworker “all his life”, the self-taught guitar maker has only been at his craft of electric guitar building for a total of three years. However, in that time, he has learned his craft well and has, to date and by his own admission, has built “…between 15 to 18 guitars.” One famous guitarist for whom he has built a custom piece is another Eric, Eric Gales, the Memphis, Tennessee-born, North Carolina-based bluesman who is currently on tour said Gale. Gale builds his works or art mostly at night or when he has spare time, he said, as he is employed building custom furniture at Newton Cabinets, in Casar. See LUTHIER, Page 6
Self-taught guitar builder is making a name for himself and his creations here and abroad
Cherryville’s new Police Chief, Brandon Hunsucker. in Cherryville. Chief Hunsucker said he was born in Rutherford County, N.C., where his dad, Ken, served as Police Chief at Rutherfordton Police Department. “He (Ken) also established the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLET) at Isothermal Community College,” noted Brandon. “While watching him teach the men and women in training, I felt led at a young age to become a police officer. “While in high school See HUNSUCKER, Page 2
Cherryville-area luthier Eric Gale is a man on a mission. His mission? To make the best electric guitar he can and to have a great time doing so. Sounds like a piece of cake, right? Nope! While Gale, a Christian, who truly loves what he does in so far as creating a piece of playable art is concerned, he is equally in love with the beauty and quality of taking a piece of gorgeous tone wood and finding – like a sculptor – the perfectly honed, tuned, and polished guitar from his chosen slab of wood. Gale, 52, has called the Cherryville area home for 30 years now. He and his family – wife, Lee; and sons, Eric, who is in the Marines, and Chris and George, who are at home, all have an artistic streak in them. Lee paints and
Cherryville-area luthier Eric Gale plays a song on one of his hand-built creations. (photo by MEP/The Eagle) draws, and the boys are artistically and musically inclined, with Chris playing bass guitar along with his dad on more than a few occasions. Eric said he moved to the Old Tar Heel state 30-plus years ago, hailing originally from Massachusetts, where a family member was a wellknown and famous pen and ink artist and illustrator of
sailing ships (George Gale) and another female relative was a noted woodcarver and sculptor. “I guess it (making and creating art) does sort of run in our family,” said Gale. “I’m very blessed to be able to do what I love. It’s been hard getting to where I am now from where I once was. I thank God every day for
CLT’s newest play, “Importance of Being Earnest”, starts February 3 Four performances scheduled for the play, which promises to be another success for the small town’s theater by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Veterans flags, like this one for U.S. Army veteran Paul Crocker, will soon line downtown Cherryville’s Main Street. (photo provided)
Commemorative Veterans flag orders being accepted The Cherryville Main Street Program is once again taking orders for “Hometown Hero” banners to be displayed on Main Street during patriotic holidays. Orders will be accepted through March 10, 2023. The popular program has grown each year and
the idea has been copied by some nearby communities. David Day, Downtown Director, said the cost is $130 per banner. Application forms can be picked up at the Main Street/Chamber of Commerce office at 220 Main Street or downloaded from the city’s website at https:// www.cityofcherryville. com/main-street-program. Day cautioned that the quality of the photo of the veteran is important.
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The Cherryville Little Theatre’s upcoming play – “The Importance of Being Earnest” – scheduled has its first performances on Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The theater is located at 301 W. Academy St., Cherryville. The plays start at 7 p.m., said play producer, Lutricia Bennett, who added, “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.” She continued, “Instead of the show being set in the 1890’s in England, the director, Erika Shelton, is taking liberties and changing the setting to America in the 1960’s.” For those who may not know about the play, Bennett noted, it is a… “Trivial Comedy for Serious People, and is a comedy where two friends use the same pseudonym (Earnest) for their ‘on-thesly’ activities.” “This show has brilliant acting and promises to be an entertaining show full of punch-lines,” said Mrs. Bennett, who is no stranger to the Little Theater’s artistic community, having had a See EARNEST, Page 6
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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. Like Us On
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Rehearsing a scene from the upcoming Cherryville Little Theater play, “The Importance of Being Earnest” are (left to right): Angie Dolan, Terrell Barnes, Noah Bolton, Madison Avery, and Chris Stone. (photos provided)
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