Winston Churchill reportedly said, paraphrasing: “Democracy is the worst system of government in the world, except for all the rest”. With all the unrest in the U.S. today, I was surprised that I have felt so moved with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner during the Olympics. I suppose it makes me realize what we could be; what our forefathers had hoped for us. George Washington called America “the grand experiment.” And like his last portrait, America isn’t finished yet either. We are still moving towards those ideals, “life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Happy Tuesday-have a great week!

Today’s weather: Fog will lift this morning, partly sunny, with a high of 65.

Tonight will be partly cloudy, and a low of 48.

I haven’t had a motorcycle since I was a kid, but I still love them. I am sad to report that Indian Motorcycles in Lowell has closed, and the building is for sale. Friday the 13th was their last day. It’s a cool building…don’t know what could make a go there…maybe a restaurant?

Earlier this month previous owner Polaris spun Indian off into a standalone company, which was then purchased by private equity firm Carolwood LP. Indian still owns a minority stake.

If these guys do things right, I think this place could be a gold mine. They offer fresh made sandwiches, salads, and made from scratch soups. They also offer breakfast options as well as a variety of specialty drinks.

They are located in Mount Holly at 799 West Charlotte Avenue, Suite E (next to El Valle). They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Mon-Sat 7A-8P, Sun 8A-3P.

Cramer Mountain has been strategically removing select trees to increase sunlight and promote healthier turf, while also enhancing playability on several holes. They will continue these efforts until spring, when regular course maintenance takes precedent.

Their tee markers just received a full refresh and are looking better than ever!

Have you been to the CDA Store at 505 Union Road in Gastonia?I have only been once or twice, but I know their parking lot is busy at breakfast time especially.

Do you know how they got the name “CDA Store? This courtesy of Jack Kiser: CDA - the Clara Mill, Dunn Mill and Armstrong Mill (all now demolished) were built near each other between Union Road and S. Marietta Street, immediately north of Garrison Blvd. (formerly a smaller 7th Ave), by "Colonel" Charles Beauregard (CB) Armstrong. He and his investors owned a chain of about 16 mills in Gastonia and the region. The original CDA Store sandwich shop was located in the old mill store (now demolished) 2 blocks SW from the current location on S. Oakland St. I can only suppose the old sandwich shop was originally a mill village store selling groceries to serve the surrounding neighborhood of mostly mill houses.

The Gaston County Museum of Art & History is pleased to announce the opening of NC MAKERS, an exhibit of works by Gaston County photographer Joshua Braswell, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The public is invited to an opening reception with the artist on Friday, February 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Museum. The reception is free and open to the public.

“I love photography and supporting creative expression in all of its varied forms,” Braswell says, “which led me to this project: NC MAKERS. The makers in this exhibit do amazing things, and I thank them for their willingness to allow me in their spaces of making.”

The exhibit features black and white images of craftspeople, artists, farmers, and others across North Carolina engaged in their day-to-day business of creating. “I photographed these makers over the course of a calendar year, and I’m extremely grateful to the folks who participated,” he says. “They were going out on a limb by allowing me to photograph them – in many instances without having met me first. That was a tremendous level of trust that they didn’t have to extend to me.

Shelli's She Shed is a home decor boutique full of floral stems & arrangements and unique, vintage, antique, retro, farmhouse styles and the perfect gift items.

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