What’s Up with Hollywood Sports

“Nothing Could Be Finer Than To Be In Carolina For A Grand Ole’…

Wait, They Stink This Year!”

By Kevin “Hollywood” Hastings

Last week we had a battle at #24 & #23 between the Buffalo Bills and the Carolina Panthers to see which team can survive until next week in our NFL power poll.  I had the unfortunate luck of having to attend this dreadful game in Charlotte and not only that, it was a 4pm tilt at the same time Dallas was dominating Atlanta.  There I was in BOA Stadium watching the worst football I’ve seen in quite a while.  Neither team wanted to win this game and both played not to lose rather than go for victory.  It was as ugly as the score, stats, fans, highlights, and everything and everyone suggest. At halftime the score was 7-2 in favor of Buffalo.  At the end of the 3rd Qtr the score was 7-2 in favor of Buffalo.  I’m telling you right now from what I saw, the beer vendors were making a ton of money during the game because no one wanted to watch this crap.  I mean half the stadium was empty and the scalpers were still buying & selling at halftime of the game!  7-2?  At the end of the 3rd quarter?  These guys are professionals right?

I should eliminate Buffalo too but I can’t since they won.  I did find some things interesting when looking back at the stats in this game.  Carolina out gained Buffalo 425 yards to 167.  They had more first downs 20-9.  Then the crucial stats of the week.  Carolina had four turnovers to Buffalo’s zero, and nine penalties to the Bills three.  What does that mean?  Bad coaching and an undisciplined team is what that means.  Why is Jake Delhomme throwing the ball 44 times a game when we all know that if he throws more than 25 times in a game he’s going to throw three picks and the Panthers are going to lose.

Well maybe that’s just what John Fox wants.  Fox and many around Carolina have got to see the writing on the wall and the fact that more than likely he’ll be fired at the end of the year so the Panthers can throw money at Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden.  If Delhomme continues to stink it up with his high attempt totals Fox can put all the blame of losing on the players shoulders instead of himself.  It’s easy to hide bad play calling in football and that’s what Carolina is doing.  If Delhomme stinks the blame is off Fox and he can use that to go after a job for next season after he’s fired this season.  Fox is just calling way too many passing plays and we all know that spells doom for Carolina.  Yes, Jake needs to take care of the ball but you can’t blame a donkey for being an ass.  Jake hasn’t changed any, he’s still the same old Jake he’s always been except the coaching staff has decided to throw the ball instead of running it and I can’t for the life of me understand why.The Panthers almost never win when Delhomme throws more than 25 times and he even tends to get worse the more throws he makes.  So why is Fox calling all these passing plays?  Beats me because it makes no sense.  When Carolina was winning games a few years back it was with their running game and defense.  The Panthers still have a good running game and pretty decent defense so why are they slinging the ball all over the field like they’re the Saints?  We’ll never know the answers to some of these questions but what we do know is this: This year’s version of the Carolina Panthers stink.  Goodbye Carolina, for you are the weakest link!

Eliminated: Panthers, Redskins, Chiefs, Bucs,

Rams, Lions, Titans, Raiders, Browns

If you’re new to the poll, each week we eliminate one team from what we think is a chance to win the Super Bowl.  I do reserve the right to remove a team from the eliminated list if they somehow make the playoffs. Now onto the power poll.

THE FAT LADY’S WARMING UP GROUP

23. Buffalo Bills (3-4) - I think I’ve already said enough about the way Buffalo played on Sunday.  They’re pitiful and John Fox should be fired today just for losing to the Bills. Nothing he’s doing right now makes any sense at all.

22.  Miami Dolphins (2-4) - It won’t be long before Miami’s on the eliminated list.  Their schedule only gets tougher from here and their QB situation is in shambles.

21.  Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3) - The Jags have been up and down all season.  Their too good to get a good draft pick but not good enough to make the playoffs.

20. Seattle Seahawks (2-4) - Seattle had last week off and this week will face a tough Dallas team on the road.  Things are starting to slide in the rainy North.  Seattle’s run as the dominant team in the West is officially over.  There’s a reason Holmgren retired from this team.

WE NEED TO SHOW SOME HEART GROUP

19. New York Jets (4-3) - Mark Sanchez was caught by cameras eating a hot dog in their victory over the Raiders on Sunday.  Sports analysts and talk show hosts across the country have been hammering the rookie about this.  Why?  I don’t know and I think it’s stupid. If you’re hungry eat, thirsty drink, sleepy sleep. Like how many of the fat reporters who complained about Sanchez eating on the sidelines were eating a bag of cheetos and some hoho’s while researching their stories?  We have got to stop scrutinizing every little thing the players do.  Who cares if someone eats a hot dog during a game?

18.  San Diego Chargers (3-3) - The Norv Turner all-stars always start slow, heat up at the end of the season, and then fizzle in the playoffs.  It’s getting about time for the heating up part Norv.

17.  Green Bay Packers (4-2) - This weekend the Pack welcome Brett Favre & the Vikings into Lambeau for Favre’s first visit since being shipped off to New York. I think the Packers will win this very emotional game at home with the support of Packer nation.

16.  Chicago Bears (3-3) - The Bears keep hovering around the .500 mark.  Maybe that’s just who they are and will be if they don’t get the running game going.  Their line play has been atrocious.

15. Baltimore Ravens (3-3, #6 Seed) - The Ravens slipped out of our playoff rankings for the first time this season.  The defense misses former coordinator Rex Ryan and OLB Bart Scott.

14.  San Francisco 49ers (3-3, #4) - The 49ers have a solid team but no QB.  This week they start former #1 overall pick Alex Smith who was suppose to be the QB of the future.

13.  Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) - McNabb and company struggled against a poor Washington team.  I can’t put my finger on it but there’s something wrong in Philly.  Maybe it’s the curse of Michael Vick?

IN THE PLAYOFFS FOR NOW

12.  Houston Texans (4-3, #6) - Houston can go 5-3 for the first time in team history with a win on Sunday versus the Buffalo Bills.  Don’t look now but here come the Texans.

11.  Arizona Cardinals (4-2, #4) - Arizona took control of the NFC West with a win on Sunday over the Giants.  This week they have Carolina at home.  I’m picking the Cards.

10.  Atlanta Falcons (4-2, #6) - Atlanta was manhandled by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.  Dallas did have two weeks to prepare but I thought Atlanta was better than this.

9.  Dallas Cowboys (4-2, #5) - The Cowboys snuck back into the Top 12 after a solid win over Atlanta.  For future reference to any Cowboys game played this season:  If Felix Jones is playing bet on the Cowboys 75% of the time. If he’s not bet on the other team. He makes that much of a difference.

8.  New York Giants (5-2, #3) -  The G-Men have lost two straight after starting 5-0.  What’s wrong?  Nothing, besides the fact 4 of their 5 wins have come against teams with losing records.

7.  New England Patriots (5-2, #4) - The good news is the Pats are starting to look like the team that went 18-0 up until the Super Bowl in 2007.  The bad news is they finished 18-1 and they’re blowing teams out that couldn’t beat any of the local high school teams.

6.  Cincinnatti Bengals (5-2, #3) - Every time I see the Bengals name this high on the list I have to go back through the list and do a double take.  Ochocinco was right when he told Skip Bayless on ESPN that “we’re going to make the playoffs.”  Win 5 of their next 9 and they’re in.

5.  Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2, #5) - The Steelers are coming around after a slow start to the season.  What’s weird about it is that they’re throwing the ball way more than running it.  That’s not Steelers football.

4.  Denver Broncos (6-0, #2) - The Broncos had a bye week and saw their #1 seed disapear in the Colts victory over St. Louis.  This week the horsies travel to Baltimore in what sets up to be a clash of titans.  I think the Broncos undefeated streak ends here.

3.  Minnesota Vikings (6-1, #2) - Brett and the Vikes go back to Lambeau this week to face the Pack.  What will be interesting to see is if Minnesota lets Favre throw the ball 51 times like he did in last week’s loss to the Steelers.  Look for the Vikes to reign in Brett a little and feed a heavy dose of Adrien Peterson to the Pack.

2.  New Orleans Saints (6-0, #1) - A few years back New Orleans did this same thing where they ran over, through, and around every defense that tried to stop them.  Only this time they have a defense than can stop the other team.  Being down 21 on the road and still winning is a major coup for this team.

1.  Indianapolis Colts (6-0, #1) - Peyton and the Colts had a pretty easy time this past week by playing the Rams.  The Colts will have a tougher matchup this week against San Francisco but I see them having no trouble at all.

THIS WEEK’S WINNERS IN ALL CAPS

Last Week 9-4 / Overall 64-38

TEXANS @ Bills / Browns @ BEARS / Seattle @ DALLAS / RAMS @ Lions / Broncos @ RAVENS / 49ers @ COLTS / Dolphins @ JETS / GIANTS @ Eagles / Jaguars @ TITANS / Raiders @ CHARGERS / Panthers @ CARDINALS / Vikings @ PACKERS / Falcons @ SAINTS

West Lincoln High School Varsity Cheerleaders at the What’s Up Sundrop Tailgate Show

What’s Up in Prep Football

By Lewis Carpenter

We are down to the next to last week in the regular high school football season. It sure has gone quickly.  As usual there have been some great games, some upsets, and more to come in the last week  There will be quite a few local teams in the playoffs.  This area will be well represented as they are every year.

Last Friday night Calvin and Tim were unable to do the Sundrop What’s Up Shopper pre-game show on the internet.  They asked Terry Reinhardt, Clint Spencer and myself to fill in for them.  Terry and I have worked together on radio for 13 years.  It was good to be back together and do our “Redneck Radio’ bit.  I hope they were not too disappointed, but we had a great time.  Clint is the Shopper’s NASCAR reporter and he and Terry did a NASCAR segment.  There was a great crowd there for the West Lincoln and Lincolnton game.  It was Senior Night at West and they had a nice ceremony for their seniors.  Both cheerleading squads performed on the show.  It was great.

I was 8-2 this week bringing my total to 67-27 for the year.  Huss defeated Crest and Ashbrook pulled a huge upset over Forestview.  This throws the Big South Conference race into an all-out war.  Forestview, Hunter Huss, and South Point all have one loss and are still in the running for the title. My picks for this week follow with the winners in ALL CAPS.

CLEVELAND COUNTY GAME OF THE WEEK

BURNS @ RS Central -  Burns is undefeated in conference play with the “Hilltoppers” having one loss.  This should be a close game, but I feel that Burns is on a roll and will win this one, barely.

GASTON COUNTY GAME OF THE WEEK

Hunter Huss @ FORESTVIEW – I am picking Forestview because they will be up after the upset loss to Ashrook and they are at home.  They were dominated and embarrassed and Huss will have their hands full.  This will be a close hard fought game. Get there early if you want to sit down.  This one is for the outright conference lead.  This game will be carried live on WGNC 1450 in Gastonia.

LINCOLN COUNTY GAME OF THE WEEK

West Lincoln @ EAST LINCOLN -  East Lincoln will be trying to be the  county champions by defeating all the other Lincoln County schools.  East should take this one handily.

THE BEST OF THE REST

Kings Mountain @ CREST -  Crest is tough at home and lost two close games to Huss and Forestview.  Kings Mountain is playing well , but Crest should win at home.

SOUTH POINT @  North Gaston -  North continues to struggle and South Point will have too much for the “Wildcats”.  The “Red Raiders” to win big.

Cherryville @ BESSEMER CITY -  These two are big rivals and Cherryville usually plays their best game against Bessemer.  I think Bessemer’s speed and defense will be too much for the “Ironmen” .  The “Jackets” to win.  This game will be carried live on WCSL 1590 in Cherryville.  The Sundrop What’s Up Shopper pre-game show will be at this game.  Come out and join the guys.  I am planning to be there also.

North Lincoln @ LINCOLNTON – Lincolnton has too much talent for a struggling North Lincoln squad.  The “Wolves” will howl.  This game will be carried live on WLON 1050 in Lincolnton.

EAST GASTON @ West Mecklenburg -  East will have to work to win this one on the road, but I think they will prevail.

East Rutherford @ SHELBY -  The “Golden Lions” are playing extremely well and should handle East Rutherford.  This game will be carried live on WADA 1390 in Shelby.

South Iredell @ NEWTON-CONOVER -  The “Red Devils” are hard to beat at home.  They have played well since their only loss to Bandys.

BANDYS @ East Burke -  This will be a close game.  East has only one loss in the conference, but Bandys is on a mission and should win on the road.

OPEN:  Ashbrook & Highland Tech

Get out and support you local team this weekend.  It will be appreciated and you will enjoy it.  “Good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise”, I will see you here next week in the WHAT’S UP SHOPPER. - See Ya,  Lewis.

You can contact me by email at lccarpenter44@charter.net.

What’s Up in Local Sports

By Calvin Hastings

Click For The Poll!

When it looked like the Forestview Jaguars were in total command of the Big South Conference, here comes the Ashbrook Greenwave.   Right!  The Ashbrook Greenwave who had only won two games this entire season!   Forestview had knocked off the Crest Chargers a few weeks ago and then downed the South Point Red Raiders to take control of the conference.   Was it a “trap” game?   Maybe, but Ashbrook beat and we mean beat the Jaguars.   Holding the Jaguars to only 15 yards rushing and minus four yards passing.   The Jaguars are still in the hunt along with the South Point Red Raiders.   But wait….does the Cinderella slipper belong to Hunter Huss.   We’ll find out this Friday night when the Jaguars host the Huskies.   If Huss wins out and the Crest Chargers can knock off South Point the final game of the season the Huskies would be Conference Champions.   What the heck ?  It’s gotta be Friday night football!

Hats off to Hunter Huss quarterback Marshall Williams.  Williams was named the Gaston Gazette’s High School Football Player of the Week in the Huskies’ 21-13 win over the Crest Chargers last Friday night.   Williams passed for 155 yards and two touchdowns and he also rushed for another 83 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Shelby Golden Lion Gerald Jennings has been named the Star’s Cleveland County High School Football Player of the Week.   Jennings helped lead the Golden Lions to a 17-6 win last Friday night over RS Central.

Former Cherryville three sport athlete Cameron Lovelace has transferred from NCAA Division I North Florida to Division II Catawba.   Lovelace will be eligible to play immediately for the Indians who compete in the South Atlantic Conference.   While at Cherryville Lovelace became the county’s all time football passing leader with 5,110 yards and finished the sixth highest career basketball scorer with 1,836 points.   He also played on the Ironmen’s Class 1A State Championship baseball team in 2008.

North Lincoln senior Johnny Walker has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Division II Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina.   At North Lincoln Walker is third in career batting average at .376, second in career hits with 85, second in runs scored with 58 and fourth in total bases with 118.

The Ashbrook Greenwave soccer team has clinched the Big South regular season championship with a 2-0 win last week over Forestview.   The win ended the Jaguar’s four year reign as conference champions.   The Greenwave are now 10-0 in conference play and 13-2-1 overall.  The team is ranked 12th in the state 3A soccer poll.

Both the Shelby boys and girls won the South Mountain Conference  cross country championship last Tuesday.   Gracie Blakley was named the Conference’s Runner of the Year.   Shelby Lions coach John Champney was named the boys Coach of the Year.   It was Shelby’s first cross country title in 15 years.   Justin McDowell, Jon Wall, Jaylee Smarr, Chris Bryant and Felix Soto were named all-conference for the Lions while Gracie Blakley, Laura Rose, Chase Thompson and Lydia Boinest were named girls all conference.

The East Lincoln Mustangs won the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A boys cross country team championship  last week at Highland Park in Lincolnton.   Brather Cline of East Lincoln took the top boys honors.   North Lincoln captured the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A girls team championship.  Gracie Turner of Lincolnton took home the girls individual championship.

The Cramerton Eagles won their third straight Gaston County middle school golf championship last week at Apple Creek Golf Course.   Will Blalock of Cramerton and Nick Stafford of Belmont tied for the individual  medalist honors.  Belmont took second followed by Mt. Holly, Holbrook and Grier.

The Belmont Abbey men’s basketball team is a pre-season pick to finish 5th in the Conference Carolinas.   Barton College is picked to win the conference followed by Mt. Olive, Anderson, Pfeiffer and Belmont Abbey.

The Belmont Abbey girl’s basketball team is picked to finish third in the Conference Carolinas.  Barton College is picked to win the conference followed by Mt. Olive and Belmont Abbey.

For the first time in school history, both the Belmont Abbey mens and women’s golf teams were ranked in the top 10 in the nation.   The women were ranked 9th and the men were ranked 10th.

Hats off to the East Gaston Mustang’s girls volleyball team.   The team went 17-0 against all of their Southern Piedmont Conference foes this season to win the regular season title and the tournament championship.

Former Ashbrook grad Darrell Armstrong began his duties as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.   Armstrong spent 14 seasons in the NBA playing for the Orlando Magic, New Orleans Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers and the New Jersey Nets.   In 1999 Armstrong was named the NBA’S Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player.

The 23rd annual Belmont Sports Hall of Fame Banquet was held this past week.   This year’s inductees included Ron Boatwright, Glenn Sparrow, Teresa Bowlin, and the 1972-73 South Point High School girls basketball team.

Keeping Up with The Joneses

By Mike Jones

Loving the Appalachian Mountains like I do I decided the family needed to make one more trip to the mountains this year.  This time it was going to be a little different.  For one thing Barbara and I were not going alone.  The other part was we were going to try out our fifth wheel camper.

The Jones family recently purchased a fifth wheel camper to pull behind an F-250 that we already had.  Since my wife has fully retired from teaching, we have put our heart into traveling. Maybe not far but at least traveling.  We have decided that there are plenty of places near home that we should check out first.

On this adventure we decided to relive a trip that Barbara and her family had embarked on some 50 years earlier.

We have on numerous occasions pulled out the old 8mm movie film that her Dad, Ed Rudisill had shot of his family as they were growing up.  The dance recitals he had his children re-enact on the front steps, the trips to the beach and the family reunions all had a place in our hearts.   All these events were special and some very funny, but one always caught my attention for a special reason.  Let’s say it had the Scarlett O’Hara effect.

Picture this, a family-  father, mother, two daughters, and one son all dressed exactly alike.   My mother-in-law Bobbie Rudisill had gone to the Dora cloth shop and found some material for 25 cent a yard and proceeded to make outfits for her entire family that was still living at home.  The two older daughters were spared because they were in college.  Then as fate would have it they were able to display their outfits on a family vacation.  They were able to go see Rock City which is located near Chattanooga, TN.

Being the nostalgic person that I am, I suggested that we too embark on such an adventure and to make it complete we should invite others of the family to go along.  Sister-in-law Alice Rudisill Dellinger  said she loved the idea but was going to be very busy at work, and brother-in-law Eddie Rudisill had some surgery thing-a-ma-jig he was doing  to a patient.  Neither could spare a few days to relive an adventure from the past.  One member of the family said she would love to go and even travel with us in our camper.  Yes I’m talking about my mother-in-law.  She’s almost 81 but in her mind she’s still 35. Being an experienced camper from years past, maybe her expertise would come in handy since Barbara and I were actually novice campers.

One experience I was not going  to agree to ,I was not going  to wear an outfit that looked like the curtains from Tara.  Although  their outfits were quite fetching  for 1959 I didn’t feel that in 2009 that  they  would garner the same applause.  I did agree to matching  jeans and sweatshirts, a little more on the conservative side.

Rock City and Ruby Falls have long been a roadside attraction in mountains of the southeast.  Anyone who is at least 50 years of age can remember the brightly painted barn roofs that dotted the landscape of the early roads we use to travel before interstates.  It seemed every farmer that had a barn near a major highway advertised the attraction you had to see. “ SEE ROCK CITY” brought curiosity from anyone  who saw these signs so frequently.

Rock City itself is an unusual site to see.  It shows how the Appalachian Mountains were indeed shaped after a glacier from the Ice Age trimmed the tops of the mountains.  It also shows that large mountains can crack and leave beautiful formations for all to see.  The history and beauty that Rock City does have to offer is something to behold.  Like Chimney Rock and Grandfather Mountain, Rock City is not man made.  That in itself makes what you see pretty remarkable.

If you enjoy exploring  the natural wonders of the world, instead of a theme park,  then you definitely need to visit Rock City and Ruby Falls near Chattanooga, Tennessee.

What’s Up in NASCAR

By Clint Spencer

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Camry, picked up his third win of  2009 Sunday by winning the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville, Speedway.  His three wins this season mark a personal best for the Virginia Native whose rookie season was in 2006.  Hamlin led more laps than any other driver on Sunday with 206.  Jimmie Johnson, who was on target to win six out of 7 races at Martinsville, could not find enough momentum to catch Hamlin on the final laps.  He would finish in second place. Hamlin, who has had a run of bad luck the last couple of weeks, was very appreciative towards his fans in victory lane as he thanked them for sticking with him and not giving up.  Coming home in third was Juan Montoya who was followed by the #18 of Kyle Busch in fourth.   Rounding out the top five was Jeff Gordon.

Spencer’s Power Poll

1. Jimmie Johnson - Increased his lead to 118 points over Mark Martin.  Look for Johnson to lay back and play if safe for most of the race at Talladega.

2.  Mark Martin - Mark has never been a fan of Talladega.  He will also play it safe this weekend by laying back.  However, he will make a move for the win with two to three laps to go.

3.  Jeff Gordon - Gordon still has a shot for the Cup.  His last visit to Talladega did not go so well but don’t look for that to hold him back.  150 behind first.

4.  Tony Stewart - Picked up his first win at Talladega last year during this race.  He will be a contender for much of the race. -192 out

5.  Juan Montoya - Moved up one spot with his third place finish.  Montoya has proved this year that he can handle any type of track.  Look for another top five out of the #42 team.

6.   Kurt Busch - Fell one spot this week with his 17th place finish.  -240 out

7.  Ryan Newman - Moved up another spot this week with his top ten performance.  Still looking for his first win under Stewart-Haas?-312 out

8.  Greg Biffle - His 25th place finish caused him to drop one spot in the standings. -350 out

9.  Denny Hamlin - Not to take anything away from Johnson but I was really glad to see someone else win besides the #48.  Climbed two spots with his win. -352 out

10.  Carl Edwards - Will Carl redeem himself at Talladega this weekend or will he go for another wild ride?-413 out

11.  Kasey Kahne - After a strong showing at Charlotte last week, the #9 team headed in the opposite direction with their 32nd place finish. -439 out

12.  Brian Vickers - Posted one of his best finishes of the chase thus far, with 11th place.-530 out

Prediction for the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway:  The one race in the chase that is up for anybody to take.  It used to be very easy to predict because all you had to do was choose a driver from DEI, especially Dale Earnhardt Jr.  However, after his performance this year, I wouldn’t bet on him.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I would love to see Junior win.  However, to make it interesting, I pulled two cards from a deck, with face cards being zero.  The first card I drew was a three and the second card I pulled was a nine.  This year’s winner of the Amp Energy 500 will be Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 Army Chevrolet.

Cleveland Home Health Presents $1 Million Gift to Cleveland HealthCare Foundation

New Healthplex will be named T.R. Harris Wellness Center

SHELBY - Long after his death in 1999, Dr. T.R. “Reggie” Harris is still being remembered for his dedication to the health care of his patients. The Cleveland Home Health Agency Board has presented a $1 million gift to Cleveland HealthCare Foundation, which will name a new healthplex the T.R. Harris Wellness Center.

Cleveland Regional Medical Center will soon begin renovations for the new center, located in the under the Women’s Life Center wing of the hospital. The T.R. Harris Wellness Center will be home to the Cardiac Rehab and Pulmonary Rehab Programs and services to other types of patients who require monitoring during an exercise program. The late Dr. Harris specialized in pulmonary diseases and family practice through Shelby Medical Associates, and in l966, he founded Cleveland Home Health Agency, the first of its kind in North Carolina.

“The Cleveland Home Health Agency Board is very pleased to present this gift to the Cleveland HealthCare Foundation in honor of Dr. T. R. Harris,” said Phillip Poston, Chair of CHHA, during the presentation ceremony held Thursday, Oct. 15, in front of the future home of the wellness center. “We know this gift will keep on providing quality healthcare to many people for a long time. We know that Dr. Harris wanted people to have access to the best medical care available.”

Cleveland HealthCare Foundation was formed in 1990 with a mission to “enable our caring community to support programs and services that promote injury prevention, high quality healthcare, health education and wellness for our region” said Dotty Leatherwood, Vice President and Executive Director. “We are proud to assist Cleveland County HealthCare System with the new space necessary for such a growing and valuable service.”

The Foundation Board adopted the fundraising project in 2008 and appointed Frank Beam and Linton Suttle as co-chairs for the initiative. “We have had a couple of key individuals step forward with gifts that began our journey,” Beam said. “The Cleveland Home Health Agency gift has really moved us forward toward our goal.”

For Beam, a former cardiac rehab patient, the project is a passion. “When my physician referred me for cardiac rehabilitation, I had a lot of questions about what I would be able to do,” he said at the recent presentation ceremony. “Although the current space is really crowded, I kept coming back because the staff worked with me and encouraged me. I felt safe, for I knew if something were to happen, there were physicians just around the corner.”

Johnny Stamey, Cardiovascular Services Director, and his staff shared with Beam their dreams of a large walking track, plenty of space for equipment, two classrooms, a large central monitoring station and a place for a group to gather and talk. “I decided this effort was really important - helping folks like me improve their health and capabilities after a significant health event,” Beam said. “We need this type of facility in our community for our community. I am pleased to be a part of the team raising funds. This gift will allow us to begin the work to make this dream come true.”

He thanked Cleveland Home Health Agency for its generosity, as did Leatherwood who added, “The generous gift from Cleveland Home Health Agency, along with pledges and gifts from others in our community, means we are within $500,000 of our goal.”

Photos & story courtesy of CRMC

What’s Up with Being A Lil’ Rusty

Rusty Stroupe

www.rustystroupe.blogspot.com

I’ve been on a mission trip again. This time it was to Red Springs, NC- the same place I went last year with a group of college students from Gardner-Webb. Supposedly in this arrangement, I am the chaperone. Even though I was the only “adult”, I was far from lonesome.

I learned much during my time driving the van, especially all the new terms the kids are using in conversation these days. For example, the word “beast” is now an acceptable verb as in, “Coach, beast up and pass that slow truck in the road ahead of us.” Even my ten-year-old got in on the act recently. He came home one day last week and bragged, “I beasted in football during recess at school today.”

Back in my day, both the words “cool” and “hot” could mean something was popular. That’s still true but today, you can also say something is “nasty, filthy, or sick” and it still serve as a raging compliment.

I overheard one young lady having a rather heated conversation on her cellphone with a friend of hers. Let me assure you I wasn’t eavesdropping because kids don’t mind if you hear their conversations these days. In fact, sometimes they put it on speakerphone so everyone can hear.

Anyway, at one point she said, “It’s not acceptable for us to agree to disagree on this.” In the old days you could agree to disagree and the conversation was over and the friendship was preserved. But apparently for some kids, times have changed. They’ve got to hash it out and find some middle ground before they can move forward.

The most fascinating revelations I was privy to involved male/female relationships. In primitive times, two people who were dedicated solely to each other referred to themselves as courting. From that, the whole “going steady” phenomenon emerged. “Leave her alone,” a boy would say, “she and I are steady.”

That got a little old in my day so we referred to it as “going together”, though we weren’t exactly sure where it was we were going. And in most cases we didn’t go anywhere before we got our driver’s licenses. But at least it served as a workable definition of courtship, unlike the confusion that exists among today’s kids.

Case in point: On the last day of our trip, we passed a man riding a motor scooter and a girl in the van announced, “My almost boyfriend rides a scooter sometimes.” I just had to ask, “What in the name of all that is good is an almost boyfriend?”

It’s when you’re talking, which is now the last step before dating, I was told. So, what is talking? Talking is when you are texting, facebooking, or making eyes at each other in the cafeteria. And if by chance you should ever go out on your first date, your almost boyfriend immediately transitions into a full-fledged boyfriend, even if he hasn’t asked you to go steady.

I’m glad I’m semi-old and don’t have to keep up with all the newfangled rules. But just to stay hip, I beasted up the other day and asked my former almost girlfriend- now wife- if she would “go” with me. “Sure,” she said, “as long as we end up at the grocery store. We’re out of milk.” Filthy sick.

By Calvin Hastings

The first ever husband calling contest was held this past weekend during the annual Liver Mush Festival in uptown Shelby.   The event was sponsored by the What’s up Shopper and Real Country 1390 AM WADA.   I happened to be “lucky” enough to MC the event and Mary Brooks from Cumberland, Virginia came out the winner from a field of six contestants.   Mary was visiting Shelby with her husband Gene.  They made the drive from Virginia because both love livermush!    Mary’s husband calling abilities made it easy for the panel of judges to pick this year’s winner.   Mary belted out GEEEEEEENNNNNEEEEEE and sure enough, Gene came running up Washington Street shouting “Here I Am Mary”!    Mary won two free tickets to the Carmike Cinemas in Shelby along with two free tickets to the Renaissance Festival and two free tickets to the Southern Christmas Show.   Mary is pictured here along with her husband, Gene.