Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, photo courtesy of Scott Chisholm
Happy Holidays Gaston County! David here...
So as of this morning, you have 13 shopping days until Christmas.It's not the last minute yet, but almost! And by the way, the McAdenville Christmas lights are fabulous this year! Evidently they have replaced some of the older lights with bright new colorful ones...beautiful!Today is December 12th, 2023Today will be mostly sunny, with a high of 53.Tonight will be partly cloudy and cold, with a low of 29.
Loray Mill's proposed $46 million second phaseGastonia City documents show that the owner of Loray Mill is proposing a $46 million second phase of the project.Currently Loray has 189 apartments and 75,000 feet of commercial space. The new proposal includes 196 new residential units, which includes 24 new construction cottages/townhomes along Vance Street. Also included are new office space, a new clubhouse, and a new leasing office.The development calls for some tax incentives; there is a 10 year, $469,200 tax investment grant proposed with the project. Loray already has Historic Landmark tax status, which effectively reduces it's taxable value.Documents show that an economic development agreement for the project is on the agenda for the city's intergovernmental relations and economic development committee meeting tonight.
Honey Hunters troubles continueIt's a mess...one that will be sorted in courtLast week the City of Gastonia tried to make sure the Honey Hunters were out of the FUSE ballpark, and set things in motion to replace them with a new team.One issue was the apparent lack of insurance at the stadium, where Honey Hunters ownership had two events planned with over 100 people present. An attorney for the Gas House Gang, which owns the Honey Hunters, said they were in the process of obtaining insurance. Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP's Ashley Edwards, who is representing the city, said "I think there is no future here". And in a motion to the court, the City of Gastonia said "Consequently, it is critical that the city secure a successor manager and operator for its Stadium with sufficient time to prepare for the Atlantic League 2024 baseball season, with opening night scheduled for April 25, 2024," "If the city is to do so, the stadium cannot be left in disrepair for months by the defaulted and exiting debtor."The Honey Hunter's attorney is fighting expulsion, saying that the league membership agreement was not properly terminated. The Atlantic League said their membership was terminated before they filed for bankruptcy, and in any case, bankruptcy also constitutes a case for terminating the teams membership in the league.
The FUSE project has generated a lot of positive momentum and investment in downtown Gastonia. We believe a new team owner, and a new team name will ultimately prove to be successful, and the FUSE District will be the gem it was envisioned to be.
Mount Holly's 9th Annual Enchantment in the Garden a twinkling success!
Mount Holly's 9th Annual Enchantment in the Garden was a huge success! Held in the Mount Holly Community Garden beside the First United Methodist Church, the event featured singers from the elementary school, Christmas lights and charming garden displays with different themes, food trucks, and more.
Meritage Homes to build 185 homes in CherryvilleOne of the nation's largest home builders, Meritage Homes, is planing to build 185 homes in Cherryville in a project called Calico Creek. The houses will be 3 and 4 bedrooms, and 1600 and 2700 square feet. The homes are slated to go on sale in early 2025.
At Oak Ridge Dental Arts, we are dedicated to caring for your family as we care for our own families. With years of experience and state-of-the-art dental technology we help you achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve. We ensure the best possible dental experience with friendly, personalized care in a comfortable environment. If you haven’t been to the dentist in the past six months or you are interested in enhancing your smile, give us a call. With one visit you’ll see why so many families in your neighborhood trust Oak Ridge Dental Arts with all their dental needs.
Apple Store to open in Birkdale VillageThose of you looking for an Apple store after the closure of the Apple Store in Northlake Mall, rejoice! A new Apple Store is coming to Birkdale Village.The store will be located at 8805 Townley Road in Huntersville, and is expected to open December 14. There is another Apple Store in SouthPark Mall.
Vinny's Catering & Restaurant now open
We are hearing some buzz about the new Vinny's restaurant and catering. The are in the old Rodi's or Olio's space in Gastonia.
Kings Mountain approves rezoning for ambitious Dixon Ridge ProjectThe Kings Mountain City Council voted 5-2 to rezone 384 acres near Dixon School Road. The new project is named Dixon Ridge and includes 5 million square feet of building space, and a total investment that could exceed $750 million.The plan includes space for industrial use, office /research space, and lots for apartments and townhomes.The project is near the Catswba Two Kings Casino.
Christmas Carriage RidesThere are still a few spots left for horse-drawn carriage rides in downtown Mount Holly!
Witness the beauty of Mount Holly’s downtown historic district with a horse-drawn carriage ride on December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13 from 6-9 PM.
Reserve yours before they’re gone!Reserve here...
Christmastown is back!
The Christmas lights are on in McAdenville!Visitors can expect a Town that shines with holiday cheer December 1 – 26, from 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM. Whether you choose to drive through town or park to take a stroll with friends and family, you will thoroughly enjoy the festivities of Christmas Town.
Gastonia PD and 101 Black Men give away turkeys and hams
Okay, so we are (really) late to the party. The
Gastonia Police Department and 101 Black Men for Highland joined forces in November for a Free Turkey Giveaway at the Erwin Community Center in Gastonia's historic Highland Community, giving away 204 turkeys and hams, including meal sides and desserts. Special thanks to the Highland High School ladies basketball team for volunteering. This year's sponsors include: Tony's Ice Cream, Food Lion, and the Gastonia Police Foundation.We didn't want their good work to go unnoticed!
Saints 26 , Panthers 6
So yeah, the Panthers are at rock bottom. The Panthers have won one, lost 12, and lost the last six in a row. Bryce Young could be better. The offensive line and receivers have to be better.The Panthers have four more games, and the Panthers are unsurprisingly not favored in any of them.What about draft picks for next year? The Panthers won't get the number one pick in 2024 because they traded it away to the Chicago Bears to get Bryce Young.We need Miracle Max (AKA Billy Crystal) from the Princess Bride to perform a miracle, because although the Panthers may not be completely dead, they are mostly dead.
Happy Holidays from Shelli's She Shed in Stanley!
The She Shed is a home decor boutique full of floral stems & arrangements and unique, vintage, antique, retro, farmhouse styles and the perfect gift items.Open on Thurs, Fri & Sat 10am-5pm980-318-3816106 W Dallas Rd., Stanley, NC 28164Info...
Host an exchange student!Gastonia Families! Do you love adventure? If so, we need you! Our 2024 exchange students are ready to be placed with volunteer host families like yours! They arrive in August, but we need to set up placements now because the area schools fill fast! This is an opportunity for a great adventure!
If a school year or semester is something you cannot commit to, can you be a Welcome Family and host a student for up 8-12 weeks? This allows them to arrive in the US, enroll in school, and start sports. By being a host family, you are helping a student begin the journey of fulfilling their dream.
Who will fit best with your family?
Marie from Germany age 16, she likes Cooking, Travel, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Watching sports, and Dance. Marie hopes to study law or medicine when she finishes school, and she loves everything about Christmas.
Lucia from Spain age 15, she loves animals and hopes to be a vet when she finished college. Additionally she enjoys track and field, basketball, reading, swimming and soccer. She also goes to church regularly.
Kami from Germany age 15, she hopes to find a host home in the southeast region. Kami likes pets, Dance*/Modern Dance, swimming, climbing, skiing and Cooking. Her father is French and she speaks 4 languages!! She is only here for the first semester.
You can reach out to me for more info about hosting one of these kids, or we can look at other available students. You can DM me or email [email protected]
*** did you know that hosting qualifies your own teen for a scholarship to go on a short-term exchange to Germany or Spain in summer 2025? ***
Hosting an event?Let us help you get the word out- purchase an event listing!
Gaston County Jobs2nd shift metal polisher (4 10's Mon-Thurs) $28-$36 hr, Chiller Tech $35-$40 hr, FedEX ground driver $960-$1000 week, Barista @ Starbucks $15-$17 hr, Surgical Tech $5000 sign on bonus , and more...
