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Volume 116 •Issue 32
First United Methodist to host 2022 school supplies drive Folks can start dropping off supplies now at places listed below ahead of Aug. 13 by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Kim Eaker, a long-time community volunteer and member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, said recently that SJLC, along with other churches in Cherryville, has started the drive to collect school supplies for needy kids. “School will be starting back before we know it,” said Ms. Eaker. “Unfortunately, many children will not have the school supplies that they need to be successful.” For many years now she and other like-minded individuals have endeavored to give back to their community and help kids and their families in one of the best possible ways; provide school supplies – which can be a big cost for many families – to them in order to give them a muchneeded boost as they begin
their school year. Said Eaker, “We, as Chr ist followers, are called to take care of each other. If you would like to be a part of this year’s school supplies drive and distribution for Cherryville schools we are collecting now. You can drop off at Home Trust Bank or any of the churches. The actual event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 13 from 10 – 12 p.m., at First United Methodist Church which will be hosting the event this year. The location of the event will rotate each year. This is a community event, and we would like for our entire church body to come together. We Are One. We will also offer free haircuts. Come join us for Praise music with Brian Emerson and Kelly Eaker and free hotdogs from Table of Grace.” She continued, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12:4-5 NIV).”
Gaston Co. seeks to convert to a county-wide fire service district
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
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Former Belk-Matthews building newest property to get renovated Hard work, caring parties create another Main Street gem in former downtown destination by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
Once again, all it took was a whole lot of hard work and some very caring and interested and talented individuals to turn a former Cherryville downtown destination into a Main Street work of architectural art. Of course, being able to invest a $1 million-plus into the project certainly helped. The building at 116 E. Main St., was built, according to information received from Vickie Spurling Realty, in 1921, making it 101 years old. It is 7,140 square feet in size and now has four apartments upstairs; two two-bedroom apartments, approximately 850 square feet in size, and two one-bedroom apartment/ lofts of approximately 600 square feet in size. All four apartments are actually different sizes, and all are complete with modern appliances. The downstairs space in comprised of one large retail space (1,000 square feet); five
Patrick O’Leary welcomes everyone to the showing of the property at 116 E. Main St., a.k.a. The Belk Building. After three and a half years of renovation work, it was open for a tour last Wednesday, Aug. 3. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media) smaller spaces for retail or office use, noted Mrs. Spurling, all complimented by a beautiful, shared conference room, kitchen & restroom, she said. On Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, a group of City of Cherryville staff, Chamber of Commerce staff, Cherryville Main Street staff, as well as representatives of Vickie Spurling Realty, Hoyle Construction, Upland Architecture, and others involved
in the restoration of the old building, met inside the old building to essentially christen it and show off the finished project. Patrick O’Leary, who has been involved with this and other completed (and future) restoration projects in Cherryville, welcomed everyone and said, “This has been our largest project on Main Street, taking three and half years. We ran into supply chain is-
sues, but we are very proud of the job we have done here. The whole idea here in what we are doing in Cherryville is about rejuvenation, which you cannot have without people. To that end we have been building apartments here in downtown and we now have six so far.” Chamber Board President Pete Craft also welcomed everyone to the affair, catered See BELK, Page 6
A flat or consistent tax rate for fire protection studied to get allocated funds to the areas of most need by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
For those in the county fire services getting needed resources – which can be slim or hard to come by even in the best of times – to the various departments can be daunting, and downright tough on sparse or limited budgets. Looking to solve, or deal better with issues such as this or similar to it, Gaston County, with its many smaller fire departments, worked to resolve things and passed, as of July 1, a budget to resolve these issues. They are currently waiting on their consultant’s final report, noted Gaston County Emergency Management Director Kevin Gordon. Mr. Gordon, in an email to the Eagle, explained in more detail how it all went, going forward. “During the FY 2022 budget process, many of the contracting fire departments requested moderate to large budget increases as various
The 2022 Ironmen football team hopefuls go through skill drills at CHS Field last week. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media) KEVIN GORDON Gaston County Emergency Management Director levels of service were being provided across the county by these contracting fire departments,” he said. “County staff evaluated the previously used process and looked around the state for other best practices used by similarly situated counties. Following the FY 2022 budget process it was determined we should evaluate the previously used process to identify gaps and seek areas of improvement. The intent was to provide effective fire and rescue services at the lowest cost possible. We wanted to make sure the contracting fire departments had the equipment, apparatus, and personnel to provide effective fire and rescue services while making sound decisions as related to the total cost of providing fire protection.” Gordon continued how See FIRE, Page 2
CHS Fall Sports teams start drills and getting in shape by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info
The 2022 CHS Fall Sports teams have started their drills and have been getting in some time on the practice fields and in the weight rooms, according to their respective coaches. For 2022, the Ironmen and Lady Ironmen will field six teams and the Ironmen Marching Band will be there to root them on, playing the rousing renditions we have all come to love and appreciate. Head Ironmen football coach Tim Pruitt has been at the helm of the gridiron squad for a number of years now and has seen a great deal of success, but, as he
will always tell anyone who listens, there is always more room for growth, on and off the field. As far as the team’s overall skill drills and workouts are concerned, Coach Pruitt said, “The first four days have been great! We have incorporated more conditioning and feel that the players are moving at a high level through their drills.” This is evidenced by the way the young men have been working out and the number of individuals who have come out to try out for the team. Coach Pruitt’s men – both varsity and JV – call Rudisill Stadium their home field. Another CHS Fall Sports team which has seen a number come out to take part
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is also one which lost their senior squad from last year – one which had a great impact on the program helmed by head coach Leigh Kiser. Nevertheless, Coach Kiser said she has many returners this year and they all have a great skill set and seem ready, willing, and able to help the newcomers. As for the workouts and drills, Coach Kiser noted, “The workouts this summer have been great. We averaged about 10 people attending to better their game and major improvements happened this summer.” The Lady Ironmen spikers call Nixon Gym their home. For tennis coach Brandon Shull, being able to get back out on the Donna Lavery Courts to train and do
their skill drills, especially after COVID-19’s issues, is nothing short of a blessing and a miracle. While he is happy to have the Diaz twins back in net action for him, and he has a couple of returners who know their way around the courts, Coach Shull is always happy to see who is coming up so far as new talent is concerned. As for the ladies’ drill and skill sets and practices, ever the man of few words, Coach Shull noted simply and quietly, “Practices have been going quite well. Practices have focused on different aspects and situations that are part of a tennis match.” Head Cheerleading coach See SPORTS, Page 10