What’s Up with Morgan Grindstaff

By Amy Hastings

Morgan Grindstaff is 21 years old; 18 years longer than he was projected to live. He has Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects between 30,ooo-60,000 people in the United States today. Many of these people will not live to see their teenage years. But, Morgan Grindstaff is on a mission to help more people defy the odds.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs, liver, pancreas and digestive system. This build up of mucus causes breathing difficulty, digestive problems, and frequent infections of the lungs. A simple cold can lead to life threatening complications to a person with the disease.

Due to the rarity of the disease, research for Cystic Fibrosis is not federally funded. The majority of funding comes from organizations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Thanks to this funding, the U.S. Food and Drug administration approved a new treatment for some types of CF in January of 2012.

Grindstaff was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of three months and has endured frequent hospital stays and daily courses of medication and therapies. Though Grindstaff is not a candidate for the new treatment, he is in relatively good health today. He has dedicated his life to helping others with CF. He is doing this by raising awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Grindstaff is planning to walk in the 2012 Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk on May 6th at Gaston County Park  in Dallas. To sponsor Grindstaff or to make a donation, visit his team page at www.cff.org/great_strides/MorganGrindstaff.

But, before he walks, he is inviting every one to ride! Grindstaff is hosting the Ride for Breath Poker Run on Saturday, May 5th. The Start and Finish will be at Rock House Tavern in Gastonia. Registration will begin at 10:30am with the first bike out at 11:00am, and last bike in at 1:00pm. Non-Riders are welcome to come and enjoy food and entertainment!

By Calvin Hastings

What’s Up in Local Sports

It’s the bottom of the ninth, two outs, and Newt Gingrich is swinging away!   Although it looks as though Newt will not be the Republican nomination for president, he’s still on the campaign trail, and last week Newt was in Cleveland County.   Newt took to the mound at Gardner Webb and tossed out the first pitch for the Gardner Webb/North Carolina A & T baseball game.   More than 600 fans turned out at John Henry Moss Stadium to watch the ceremonial first pitch.   With Newt’s help, the Dogs turned back the visitors by a 10-7 score.

The Shelby boys and the Kings Mountain girls took home the Cleveland County Track and Field Championships last week.   Kings Mountain’s boys placed second and the Burn’s girls placed second behind the Lady Mountaineers.

The Gardner Webb women’s basketball team signed Candace Brown from Summers County High School in West Virginia.   Brown was part of a 105 game winning streak and three state championships.   Brown averaged 36.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game from the guard position.   Summers County was 107-7 during her career.

Hats off to Kings Mountain’s Chaney Barnes as he downed Jonathan Jenkins of North Gaston to win the Big South 3A Conference singles championship last week.  Barnes was the defending champion from last year.   Also, South Point’s Logan Andrew and Sadler Gensch won the doubles championship downing teammates Anuj Patel and L.J. Mendoza.  The Crest Chargers won the Big South regular season going undefeated in conference play at 6-0.  South Point was second followed by Ashbrook, Forestview, Kings Mountain, North Gaston and Hunter Huss.

Two no hitters in one week! Trey Stallings of Forestview no-hit Ashbrook 4-0 last Thursday.  Stallings truck out 11, walked three and had two to reach on errors.  Also Bessemer City’s Jacob Breakfield no-hit Lincolnton by  a 1-0 win last week.  Breakfield also struck out 11 and walked four.  Breakfield has won three of Bessemer City’s four games this season.

South Point’s 19 game winning streak came to a halt last week as they were beaten 3-0 by East Gaston.   The Red Raiders were 19-0 on the season before the loss.   Mogan Rhom tossed  five hitters picking up the win on the mound for the Warriors.

Belmont Abbey is represented on the 2012 Conference Carolinas baseball team with two players.   Justin Vasquez was named first team outfielder and Emilio Pagan was named first team relief pitcher.   Vasquez hit .365 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs this season.   Former Crest Charger, Craig Bolton of Pfeiffer, was named second team as a pitcher.

Two for one!  That’s what happened last week when 12 year old Carmen Pearson killed two turkeys with one shot.   Pearson who attends Burns Middle School did the trick on April 14th on a hunting trip in South Carolina.

Belmont Abbey’s Adam Hedges  qualified for the NCAA Division II men’s golf regional.    This year’s event is May 7-9 at the Rock Golf and Spa in Conover.  Hedges was recently named the Conference Carolinas Golfer of the Year with a 71.8 stroke average.

Hats off to Rick Casey.  Casey had his first ace on the Number 12 hole at the Riverbend YMCA Golf Club last week.   Casey hit a nine iron for the ace.   His playing partners included Mike Bladenberg and Jim Thompson.

Hats off to the East Lincoln Mustangs for going 14-0 in the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference.   The Mustangs are now 16-4 on the season going into tournament play this week.

The Gardner Webb Bulldogs have released their 2012 football schedule.  The Dogs will open at home on September 1st at 6:00 pm against Wofford.

Congratulations to the Burns Bulldog soccer team as they won their second straight South Mountain Athletic 2A/3A Conference soccer title.   The Lady Bulldogs are now 17-2 on the season and 11-0 in conference play.

Patton took home the South Mountain Atlantic 2A/3A Conference Golf championship with a win on Monday at Deer Brook.  Shelby placed second and will advance to the 2A Western Regionals at Fox Den in Troutman on Monday.

Shelby won their first match in the state 2A dual team playoffs.  Shelby downed Central Davidson 9-0.

Realignment is Final!   The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has finalized its realignment plan for the years 2013-2017.  Conference names have yet to be determined, but here is how it looks:   A 2A/3A conference will include Burns, Crest, Kings Mountain, Chase, Draughn, East Burke, East Rutherford, Shelby and RS Central;   Another 2A/3A conference will include Ashbrook, East Gaston, Forestview, North Gaston, South Point, Stuart Cramer, Hunter Huss and Lake Norman Charter;   A 2A conference will include Bandys, Bunker Hill, East Lincoln, Lincolnton, Maiden, Newton-Conover, West Caldwell and West Lincoln;   The 1A conference will include Bessemer City, Cherryville, Christ the King, Community Davidson, Highland Tech, Thomas Jefferson Classical, Lincoln Charter and Pine Lake Prep.

By Howard Black

What’s Up with Howard Black

I finally did it.

A few weeks after my wife passed away, I finally realized that I was unable to run a business, keep my home clean and deal with the loss of a spouse.  I wanted to give up my job, but I quickly realized that bill collectors weren’t going to allow that to happen.

Since the death of my spouse, I have lost my direction and ability to prioritize the things that I need to accomplish.  Often, I feel like I’m walking blindfolded through the woods.

Laurie Carpenter, one of those friends that God moved into my life, came to the rescue and helped me hire a housekeeper.  I believe that she sensed that I was a man in trouble and knew that if she didn’t take charge, that it would never get done.  I’ve learned that women are good at doing things like that.

I have unofficially adopted Laurie as my sister.  She is quick to answer my questions, give me her opinion and help me get things done at church and in my personal life.  God made a good choice when she he put her in my life.

Laurie found a great person, set up the interview and even told me what questions to ask.   Although I’ve hired many people in my lifetime, I have never hired a housekeeper, and without her help, I would have never got it done.

My housekeeper’s name is Beth.  She comes every week and puts the house back in order.  It’s amazing what she has done, and I’m surprised that she hasn’t thrown up her arms and left running.  Piles of unwashed towels, unidentified growth in the refrigerator and even gigantic cobwebs haven’t scared her off.

Beth is a wonderful woman with a great attitude.  You know how some people just seem to be happy everyday?  She is one of those people.  If she never cleaned my house again and simply shared the secret to that wonderful attitude, it would make me very happy.

I still don’t believe that Laurie and Beth understand what they have taken on.  It’s a big task to keep me straight and operating normally, but somehow I believe that these wonderful women are up for the task.

Rubbin’s Racing in NASCAR

By Clint Spencer

Richmond is one of my favorite tracks and I always look forward to watching their semi-annual night races.  Actually, I look forward to watching any race held at the historic ¾ mile track.  This past weekend Richmond was home to the Nationwide Series, the Sprint Cup Series race as well as the Denny Hamlin Short track Showdown that was held on Thursday night.  It was a treat for me to turn on the Speed Channel on Thursday and see some of NASCAR’s biggest stars racing with some of Richmond’s local drivers.  The race has become an annual event with the proceeds going to the Denny Hamlin foundation that supports various charities.  Tony Stewart won this year’s race with local short track racer Greg Edwards coming in second.  Edwards (not Carl Edwards) was pretty ecstatic after the race stating, “To get beat by Tony Stewart.  How bad is that?”

The very next night, the Nationwide Series drivers took to the track with Travis Pastrana, X-games and adrenaline junkie, making his NASCAR debut.  Pastrana actually faired pretty well finishing his first race in 22nd place.  However, Pastrana’s debut overshadowed another driver making his first Nationwide start as well.  You may recognize the last name but he’s no celebrity like Pastrana.  Ryan Blaney, son of Dave Blaney, finished an impressive 7th in his debut.  Not too bad for your first Nationwide race.  He is the real deal, one you will want to keep your eye on.

The main headline of the night was the spectacular finish between Kurt Busch, who was racing for his brother, and Denny Hamlin.  This electrifying race came down to the wire with the elder Busch holding off Hamlin by .062 seconds.  Even though this win wasn’t a Sprint Cup victory, Busch really needed this boost after the dismal season he has had for Phoenix racing.  This win was great for the Busch brothers and also great for their new sponsor, Monster Energy.  I am not a huge Busch fan but that #54 car was bad.

After two great nights of racing, we still weren’t done.  Saturday night, the Sprint Cup series competed in front of a crowd of 88,000 screaming NASCAR fans.  There were many stories and headlines in the sports sections on Sunday.  From Carl Edwards being cheated by NASCAR to Tony Stewart being robbed of a win by a water bottle.  I will not recap everything because you have probably heard and read everything by now.  One thing is for sure, NASCAR tried it’s hardest to give the fans an exciting race, but they may have lost what little integrity they had left.  Even as a Junior fan, I will be the first to admit that they probably brought out the caution because Junior was running up front.  With a caution, you give him another shot at a restart and a chance at a win.  Take it however you wish, but that is my opinion.  In the end Kyle Busch walked away with an impressive 4th consecutive spring race victory and first for the season.

Prediction for the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway:  This is very typical of me but I really don’t care.  It’s Talladega, he’s getting better, he’s having fun, and he’s enjoying racing again.  Look for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in victory lane on Sunday.  And if NASCAR tries to help him out I will be really ticked.

Win $50 in NASCAR PICK'EM! Congratulations to last week's winner Kenneth Harrison of Lincolnton

On Sunday, April 22, 2012, Daniels Lutheran Church rededicated their Parish House as a Youth Center.  The interior has been completely painted and refurbished.  Members and families have donated furniture, a pool table and air hockey table.  New floor and a stove have also been installed.  Youth leader is Cayla Leonard.

Worship Leaders picture caption:

Worship leaders stand outside the Daniels Lutheran Church Youth Center after re-dedication of the restored facility for use by the youth of western Lincoln County. Worship was concluded on Sunday, April 22 with the Daniels congregation gathering outside and throwing water onto the building in remembrance of each person’s Baptism and in dedication of the Youth Center to God’s glory.  From left to right are Daniels’ members Will Avery, Allen Ray Armstrong, Sawyer Simpson and Pastor Ted Bost. Pictures courtesy of Darren and Kim Leonard.

CMB picture caption:

Pastor Ted Bost and crucifer Allen Ray Armstrong conduct a house blessing for the newly rededicated Daniels Lutheran Church Youth Center.  “CMB” on front walk signifies “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” which is Latin for “May Christ Bless This House.”

Members rededicate building picture caption:

Members prepare to throw water onto the Youth Center to rededicate the facility and to remember their Baptism.

The  Shelby  Lions  Club  has  recognized  Willis  Ledbetter  as  student-of-the-month.  He  attended  the  April  24th  meeting  with  his  parents,   Robert  and  Kim  Ledbetter.      A  senior  at  Shelby  High, Willis  plans  to  study  music  education  at   Mars  Hill  College  after  graduation.

CCC Radiography Students Honored With Pinning Ceremony

Students in the Cleveland Community College Radiography Program were honored with a pinning ceremony on Thursday, April 26, in the Student Activities Center on the CCC campus. Ceremony speaker was Kyle Hentschel, Radiology Director at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. CCC Discipline Coordinator Radiography, Alease Rousseau and Clinical Coordinator Radiography, Lee Ann Mayse presented pins to each of the students. The ceremony concluded with the lighting of candles and recitation of the Radiographer’s Code of Ethics.

Cleveland Community College’s Radiography program accepts 20 students each year. Interviews and selections are highly competitive. For more information visit:  www.clevelandcommunitycollege.edu.

Photo: Row 1 (left to right): Kami Williams, Rebecca Crow, Tracy Byrd, Brittany Buchanan, Andres Mills / Row 2 (left to right): Wendy McAllister, Brittany Campbell, Kristen Lucas, Traci Haas / Row 3 (left to right): Joshua Millwood, Jim Styers, Freddie Cooper / Row 4 (left to right): Keith Varner, Steven Stewart

What’s Up with Lisa

By Lisa Harper - momtocam@gmail.com

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3 NKJV

When my husband and I lost our jobs a few years ago, the last thing on my mind was our health insurance, but let me say that this is one of the most stressful parts of losing a job. You never realize the importance of your health insurance until you have lost it. That was six years ago and today we are both employed fulltime, yet still cannot afford the premiums offered through our employers’ coverage. It is a subject many can relate to given the bleak economy we are still witnessing. The ongoing worry of juggling bills from one month to the next when one of those is a hefty insurance premium, either we are paying by draft, or is being deducted from our paycheck.

Most recently, I had no choice but to seek a professional for a medical issue that began creeping up on me about eight months ago. Fast forward to this week and I will be undergoing minor surgery in seven days… And yes, I still don’t have health insurance. But by the grace of God, our difficulties in paying for this were not a difficulty for too long. Prayers answered won over worry, and I know in the weeks and months to come, I will be feeling better and return to some normalcy which lately I did not think would ever return.

My heart also flashes to those who are emotionally sick. (No insurance or doctors needed)  Cry out to God and talk to HIM.  For HIS eternal love and faithfulness is abundant, no matter how big you think your setback is. HE delivers not at the right time, or the wrong time, but in HIS time.

We are living in different times from yesterday. I can’t help but reflect back 20-30 years ago, when problems of any kind never entered my mind. But here we are in the year 2012, and we know all too well that it is a sign of the times. It is a very different way of life for everyone. I can’t help but realize that no one is immune from the problems and issues that come our way, especially economic setbacks. What we used to take for granted many years ago is seemingly now a daily burden that, if we let it, will push us into a corner of the world that no one ever deserves.  But don’t despair. Keep the faith, remain positive, and always pray.

I learn, as the years roll onward

And leave the past behind,

That much I had counted sorrow

But proves that God is kind;

That many a flower I had longed for

Had hidden a thorn of pain,

And many a rugged bypath

Led to fields of ripened grain.

The clouds that cover sunshine

They cannot banish the sun

And the earth shines out the brighter

When the weary rain is done,

We must stand in the deepest shadow

To see the clearest light;

And often through wrong’s own darkness

Comes the very strength of light.”

God is good all the time….

The Arts Council of Lincoln County announces the winners of the 2012 Flo Robinson Literary Competition. All entries were considered and the Arts Council of Lincoln County thanks all participants for their time and efforts. Further, the Arts Council would like to thank and recognize the judges, Mrs. Ann Neal and Mrs. Heather Myers. The Arts Council also would like to thank the Gaston Gazette for their continued support for this event. Additional support was provided by the following: The Trustees of the Flo Robinson Estate, Lincoln County Schools, Lincoln Cultural Center, and Drums Florist. For information, please contact the Arts Council of Lincoln County at (704) 732-9044. This project is supported in part by a grant provided through the Grassroots Arts Program of the NC Arts Council, a state agency.

Elementary Prose

1st - “The Alligator Splash”  Noah Lambert, Rock Springs

2nd - “Basketballogy”  Joshua Swauger, Rock Springs

3rd - “Camp Aliens” Kevin Hill, North Brook

Honorable Mention - “Confusions” Flannery McFadden, Rock Springs

Elementary Poetry

1st - “The Wolf”  Carolina Morrow Taylor, Rock Springs

2nd - “Untitled”  Michelle Medina-Villalon, Rock Springs

3rd - “Stars” Allison File, Rock Springs

Honorable Mention - “Pencils” Keene G. Quiros, Childers

Middle Prose

1st - “A Girl and a Melody”  Lucia Tefel, North Lincoln

2nd - “Cermak”  Patrick Hance, Lincolnton

3rd - “The Man with the Library in His Satchel” Mauricio Lozano, Lincolnton

Honorable Mention - “The Airplane” Max K. Bradley, Lincolnton

Middle Poetry

1st - “Everlasting Book”  Erin Taylor Owen, Lincolnton

2nd - “To Be a Slave”  Mary Margaret Randall, North Lincoln

3rd - “Autumn Sky” Savannah Davenport, West Lincoln

Honorable Mention - “Spring” Sarah Crews, Lincolnton

High Prose

1st - “Glass Prison”  Callie Smith, West Lincoln

2nd - “The Big Move”  Julia Lopes, West Lincoln

3rd - “A Father at Christmas” William John Chapman, North Lincoln

Honorable Mention - “Untitled” Brandon Williams, West Lincoln

High Poetry

1st - “Colors”  Lindsey Turner, Lincolnton

2nd - “Scattered Memories”  Ayla Harvey, East Lincoln

3rd  - “Soul of Nature” Luke Johnson, West Lincoln

Honorable Mention - “Take me There, to Where I Should Be” Julianna Sides, North Lincoln

Adult Prose

1st - “I Believe In Once Upon A Time” Dene Scott Smith

2nd  - “Peggy’s Purse” Harper Girvin

3rd -“The Shelter” Kay Marks

Honorable Mention - #4 - “Mirror Images” Susan Harris

Adult Poetry

1st - “I Was Dancing” Allyson Levine

2nd - “Melody of Memory” Dene Scott Smith

3rd - “The empty dweller and hope” Richard Lee Leonard

Honorable Mention - “Beggar” Pamela Marie Bollinger

Let’s Talk Bible  - Since 1975

Evangelist  W.C. “Dub” Dellinger

To some, because they have lived in sin for a long time they cannot seem to believe that they can live with a clear conscience. Yet they drag along saying “I wish I could come free of something “ that a true and loving Savior has already forgiven them of.  The question comes down to, Did you really ask from the heart for forgiveness of your sins?  Were you Godly sorry for the life you lived.  Or are you playing around in some Demoninational Church that took you in just to get another name of the roll.  One of you told me that you promised to bring in twenty-five percent more to the church.  You never one time asked if they were a born again Christian.  The word is out that it is no one’s business, but the King James Red Letter Edition of the Bible says you can only get to Heaven with salvation in your soul.  You get salvation by confessing what your Savior has done for you to the public.  Better still to the congregation you are a part of.  No Salvation, No Heaven.  Jesus makes it plain if you are ashamed of Him he is ashamed of you.  It was love that made your God call you to his Son. It will be out of love that you confess what He has done for you.  Are you willing to go down and not up?  The Roman Road Read, or some Catachism repeated as a ritual won’t do it.  This writer tried to explain this to a ninety year old man.  I never knew whether I got to him or not. He died just before Christmas, saying I want to go to heaven.  Preachers, watch what you instill in your congregation. When you took the job, you took on the responsibility of all the souls present every Sunday that come to hear you.  The soul is what the Savior suffered and died for.  Never get away from being a Christian.  The Christian Life is a love fest experience. A never to be forgotten experience.  You can relive it over and over.  It can show up in your eyes and come forth from the vocal cords in different ways.  It will always have an effect on someone else if the Savior hears from you.  He will answer you with a blessing to remember.  Sometimes He might just bless with the Holy Ghost Baptism, if you are ready for Him and He sees that you will confess this blessing and live righteous and Holy the rest of your life.  This is with obligation.  There is no going back. Think of five of the ten virgins.