By Loretta Cozart

On Wednesday and Thursday last week, a steady stream of people converged upon the LeGrand Center at Cleveland Community College to apply for 200 positions available at Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort. The casino plans for a pre-launch opening on July 1.
“This is exciting,” said Catawba Indian Nation Chief Bill Harris. “We have been talking about this for years and the day has finally come. Today we are hiring. I arrived at 11 am for the noon job fair and people were in line from the mezzanine, down the stairs, and continued out onto the sidewalk in a long line. This is amazing!”
The casino’s General Manager Chuck Kilroy said, “These people aren’t just looking for jobs. They are looking for the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of an exciting gaming and hospitality operation that offers full-time employees health, dental and vision medical plans, life insurance coverage, paid vacation, and a 401K retirement savings plan. They want to become part be part of something bigger and build their careers.”
Once inside the Grand Ballroom, applicants went through four steps toward employment. To start, they completed an initial application. Those whose skill-sets matched positions open at the casino were processed into the next room. There, they were divided into groups and completed additional paperwork. Next, each applicant had a one-on-one interview. Finally, applicants were sent to the last step, going into the room where the magic happened, and they received job offers. The room was abuzz with conversation as those who started as applicants left the event as part of the casino’s first 200 employees. One new employee was so excited he was seen running to his car with an offer letter in hand.
“Not everyone who applied today got an offer,” General Manager Kilroy explained. “But we have many positions to fill and are keeping the names of all those who applied in our database. When we need more employees, we’ll refer back to this list and invite folks back for second interviews.”
One such applicant spoke to the Kings Mountain Herald saying, “I didn’t get an offer today, but my daughter did. She is so excited. I currently work in a local plant and the operations are winding down by the end of this year. I stood in line for six-and-half hours, but I didn’t mind. Everyone is so excited to be here. I have no doubt my experience will match with future positions as they become available, and I’ll get a job with them soon.”
When the casino opens, a temporary pre-launch gaming facility with 500 slot machines will provide an initial opportunity for patrons to game with limited food & beverage and other guest amenities.  In a year, the casino will move into it’s Introductory Phase with more than 1,800 slot machines available. “As we grow, we’ll need more staff in all areas of our operation, from finance, marketing and surveillance positions, cage personnel, drop team members, slot techs and attendants, housekeeping personnel, security staff, bartenders, cocktail servers, culinary and guest service representatives, as well as various supervisory positions,” Kilroy said.
Applicants must be 21 years old and have two valid forms of identification. Applicants were encouraged to bring a resume if they have one and be prepared to fill out an application and be interviewed.
Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort is being developed by the Catawba Nation at a 17-acre site at 538 Kings Mountain Blvd. in Kings Mountain. The site is near Interstate 85 and about 35 miles west of Charlotte.
The total $273 million casino resort project is expected to create 2,600 permanent jobs at full buildout and thousands of construction jobs in the region. The Two Kings name celebrates the Catawba Nation’s history and hopeful future in their ancestral lands in North Carolina, paying tribute to the 18th century Catawba Chief King Hagler and the City of Kings Mountain.

(April 21, 2021 Issue)

Dianne Wilson donated 10 cases of bottled water for the students at Kings Mountain Middle School. She heard that students were unable to use the water fountains this year due to COVID guidelines and wanted to use her community  outreach program with this wonderful donation. KMMS thanks Mrs. Wilson for supporting the KMMS Patriot team. L-R: Susan Cloninger receives the water from Dianne.
Photo by Windy Bagwell
 

(April 21, 2021 Issue)

Join Kings Mountain Historical Museum for a local author talk and book signing with mother-daughter team Beth Yarbrough and Ashley Oliphant and dive into their research on the Pirate Jean Laffite connection to Lorenzo Ferrer in Lincolnton, NC. Were they the same man?
Tickets are on sale now and are limited to 35 people. Cost is $8 per person and can be ordered via the Kings Mountain Historical Museum’s Facebook page. Scroll down to the Eventbrite link.
One of America's Longest-Running Mysteries takes a fresh look at the various myths and legends surrounding one of the last great pirates. Beginning in 1805, the book traces Laffite through his rise to power as a privateer and smuggler in the Gulf, his involvement in the Battle of New Orleans, his flight to Texas, and his eventual disappearance in the waters of the Caribbean. With stunning revelations, this book picks up the trail from there a trail that no one knew existed until now. This carefully researched work is a bona fide wild ride that will silence long-held speculation about Laffite's ultimate fate.
Speaking of  the book, Myrick Howard, president of Preservation North Carolina said, “This book offers a deep dive into a lingering mystery in American history. Hero and villain Jean Laffite deserves - and gets - a fresh look, and the authors reveal the last hidden decades of his complicated life. They also give us a history lesson about the times and places surrounding the unfolding drama. A fascinating read!”
This event will adhere to social distancing protocols and guidelines in place at the time of the event. Masks and temperature checks will be required upon entry.
Kings Mountain Historical Museum is at 100 East Mountain Street, Kings Mountain, NC 28086.

(April 14, 2021 Issue)

Wingate University is pleased to announce the addition of Gaston County Manager Kim Eagle to its Board of Trustees. Dr. Eagle has a Bachelor of Arts in History degree from Wingate University. While at Wingate, Dr. Eagle got her feet wet with public service by working for Gastonia’s congressional district offices for two consecutive summers. "As an alumna and with a master's degree in higher education, Dr. Eagle is a great addition to our board and will help drive the university forward," Dr. Rhett Brown, President of Wingate University said. Dr. Eagle will serve until 2024.
 “Dr. Kimberly Scism Eagle is the daughter of Gene and Eleanor Scism.
She is married to Keith and they have 3 children”
 

(April 14, 2021 Issue)

Mauney Memorial Library offers a variety of activities for children and adults. Throughout the month of April, the following activities remain:
Zoom Storytime with Miss Anne, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Pre-school, 0 – 5 years. Register at the library’s website and you will be sent a URL. Follow along with stories and songs from the comfort of your own home. Registration Required.
Document Shredding, April 12, 3 pm – 6 pm. Have you been meaning to shred those personal documents piling up? Bring them to Mauney Library! The shred truck will destroy your documents on-site to keep your information safe. 3 document boxes or 75lbs limit. Personal shredding only.
Author Talk: Myla Athitang, Monday, April 19, Adult. This local Kings Mountain author talks about her poetry and her first published book, Annalise: Twenty Years Everlasting. Register for a free copy of Annalise (while supplies last). This is an online event. Register at the library’s website and you will be sent a URL.
Bedtime Storytime, Tuesday, April 27 at 7:30 - 8 pm for Pre-school, 0 – 5 years. Miss Anne presents a bedtime story every month, live over Zoom, held the fourth Tuesday of every month. This is an online event over Zoom. Visit the library’s website for the URL.
3D Printing with the Mauney Makerspace: Turn your 3D creations into physical objects with our 3D printer! Compress your 3D file into a .ZIP or .RAR file and send it to us using the following form. Don't worry about the cost: it's free! To use this service, complete the 3-D Request form at the library website. (3D Model files must be submitted as a compressed file such as .zip or .rar)
Seed Library Now Available: True-to-type seeds, Heirloom Varieties, Advice on planting, Take seeds or contribute your own. Call or visit for more info.
Library hours: are Monday - Friday - 9a to 5p.
Mauney Memorial Library is located at 100 S. Piedmont Avenue Kings Mountain, NC 28086 Phone: 704-739-2371

(April 14, 2021 Issue)

Gateway Trail damage at Hamrick Overlook $500 reward offered – Last week, Gateway Trail President Shirley Brutko reported damage to the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail Hamrick Overlook at the top of the Cardio Trail and offered a reward of $500 for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction of whomever was responsible. To make a report, call 704-739-9663 or call the local police department at 704-734-0444.
 

(April 7, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

A mural of Jimmy Wayne will soon grace the north side of the Joy Performance Theater, as work begins in April as part of the North Carolina Musician Murals project. The Kings Mountain native became a foster kid turned award-winning country recording artist and New York Times bestselling author, whose songs and story highlight his mission to raise awareness for children in foster care.
"Jimmy is a shining example of the power of music; but more than that, he's never forgotten where he came from and is always giving back," said Angela Padgett, Vice President of the Cleveland County Music Hall of Fame. "We're thrilled to have Jimmy, a true hometown hero, be part of our board of directors."
Having recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of finishing his walk halfway across America - Project Meet Me Halfway - to raise awareness to the plight of more than 30,000 children in foster care, Jimmy, a Cleveland County native, is a former foster kid turned award-winning country recording artist and New York Times bestselling author of 'Walk To Beautiful'. Jimmy's songs and story highlight his mission to raise awareness for these forgotten youth.
Jimmy's hits include "Stay Gone," "Paper Angels," "I Love You This Much" and "Do You Believe Me Now," which earned BMI's prestigious Million-Air Award for receiving more than one million radio spins in America. In 2009, Jimmy toured with Brad Paisley and recorded "Sara Smile" with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo Daryl Hall and John Oates.
In 2005, Jimmy became the youngest recipient of The William Booth Award, one of the highest honors that may be conferred upon an individual by The Salvation Army.
In 2012, Jimmy lobbied to pass legislative bills extending the age of foster care from 18 to 21 in California and Tennessee.
In 2013, Jimmy's first film, 'Paper Angels' (UPtv) became an instant holiday classic and in 2014 he released 'Walk to Beautiful: The Power of Love and a Homeless Kid Who Found the Way' (Thomas Nelson/ Harper Collins) which became a three-time New York Times bestseller, crossing the 170,000 sales milestone, in early 2019, and becoming a #1 bestseller at Amazon.
In 2016 Jimmy received the prestigious Points of Light award from President George W. Bush (41), while simultaneously contributing to the extension of foster care services from age 18 to 21 in North Carolina and Ohio.
In 2017, Jimmy was honored with the inaugural Community Maker award by Verizon and received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from William Woods University. In 2018 he received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Cal State University San Marcos and most recently, (May 2019) he was honored by the National Council for Adoption with the Warren and Mary Alice Babineaux Award in recognition of his continued commitment to creating positive change in the lives of children in foster care who need permanent families.
Jimmy has shared his story - The Power of One - around the world as a keynote speaker and has performed on the Grand Ole Opry 224 times. He lives in Nashville and continues to give back through his non-profit awareness campaign, Project MeetMe Halfway. For more about Jimmy Wayne, visit www.jimmywayne.com.
The North Carolina Musician Murals project describes how this project evolved. “The trail to the North Carolina Musician Murals begins in Chapel Hill, on a wall inside Pepper’s Pizza (pictured below), more than a decade ago. It’s where Scott Nurkin, owner of The Mural Shop, arranged portraits of renowned musicians from around the state, many of whom he idolized as a drummer growing up in Charlotte. The deal worked in his favor two ways: it showcased his work and, in exchange for the decor, he received ‘free pizza for life.’”
“When Pepper’s shuttered in 2013, Nurkin ate his last comped slice, but the art lived on, thanks to Mark Katz, then chair of UNC’s Department of Music, who purchased the lot and commissioned more to display in Hill Hall on campus. They remain there, a small piece of North Carolina music history preserved.”
“Today, the NCMM trail is coming together as Nurkin ultimately envisioned it—as large-scale murals in the hometowns of the musicians he originally honored at Pepper’s. In collaboration with Backdrop, a Raleigh-based consultancy, The Mural Shop is hitting the road; from John Coltrane on the historic Opera House in Hamlet to Earl Scruggs on Newgrass Brewing Co. in Shelby, the project reaches communities small and large, rural and urban, in every part of North Carolina. It’s our hope you visit, share with friends and family, and help us appreciate the legacy of some of the finest musicians the world has ever known.”
In the next few weeks, keep an eye on the Joy Performance Theater, as Kings Mountain’s Jimmy Wayne takes his place in history.

(March 31, 2021 Issue)

Tim and Shearra Miller of Kings Mountain, NC, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Kathlene Frances Miller of Kings Mountain, NC to Charles David Canipe of Cherryville, NC, son of Dale and Teresa Canipe of Cherryville, NC.
Ms. Miller is the granddaughter of Mrs. Geneva Beachum of Charlotte, NC.  She is a 2006 graduate of Kings Mountain High School, and a 2010 graduate of UNC Greensboro with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  She is employed as a first grade teacher at East Elementary in Kings Mountain, NC.
Mr. Canipe is a 2004 graduate of West Lincoln High School and a 2011 graduate of NC State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science.  He is the founder and co-owner of Canipe Farms Shavings and Hay Supply Company in Cherryville, NC.
The happy couple met through mutual friends.  A small family ceremony is planned for April 10, with a formal wedding celebration September 11, 2021, at Zimmerwald Estate in Ellenboro, NC.  The couple will reside in Cherryville. 

(March 24, 2021 Issue)

Handmade, Cheerful Designs Donated to Spartanburg (S.C.) Regional

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—For a child, going to the hospital can be an unpleasant, frightening experience. Volunteers have discovered a way to help ease the fear and tension by donating hand-sewn, colorful character pillowcases that children can call their own. Joining the ranks of those volunteers is Gardner-Webb University First Lady Kim Downs, wife of president Dr. William M. Downs.
On March 11, Kim donated 100 pillowcases to Spartanburg (S.C.) Regional Healthcare System, which were accepted by Georgie McAbee, assistant nurse manager for the Neo-Natal ICU, Pediatrics, and Peds ICU. Also on hand for the presentation were College of Health Sciences Associate Provost Dr. Nicole Waters, Hunt School of Nursing Dean Dr. Tracy Arnold and Undergraduate Clinical Coordinator Dr. Sarah Tate.
Before McAbee took the pillowcases, Waters said a prayer of blessing over them, which she adapted for the occasion from a prayer by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Little ones, this is our prayer for you.
We pray these pillowcases bring smiles when sadness intrudes, comfort on difficult days, rainbows to follow the clouds, and hugs when your spirits are low. We pray for the faith in healing so that you can believe and accept the truth of the Great Physician. We pray for blessings upon the hands that created this work, the courageous hands that will surround this work daily to provide care, and the tiny hands of the little ones as they seek comfort in this beautiful work. We give you thanks in all circumstances!
May God be the Glory for this Joy! Amen.
Kim first heard about the need for children’s pillowcases from Maynard’s Children’s Hospital when she and Dr. Downs lived in Greenville, N.C. “It was an ideal ministry for me, because as a pharmacist, I had an odd work schedule that often prevented me from getting involved with weekly, set time ministries,” Kim related. “After we moved here, I met Gardner-Webb alumna Barbara Greene, and that’s when the idea of a Gardner Webb pillowcase ministry really took off.”
Greene and others from Boiling Springs Baptist Church have been sewing pillowcases for various children’s nonprofit organizations for several years. During halftime at a GWU men’s basketball game last season, Downs and Greene shared pictures of the pillowcases they have made. “Barbara even gave me a tutorial of how to sew the pillowcases with French seams, so that there are no frayed edges on the inside,” Kim elaborated. “In hindsight, the timing was fabulous, because soon COVID shut everything down, and all of a sudden, I had a lot of free time on my hands. So, I sewed.”
When Leah Clevenger, director of Alumni Relations, and Nate Evans, vice president of Advancement, saw the cheerful pillowcases with koala bears, mermaids, dinosaurs, kittens, dogs, flowers, planets, airplanes, etc., Clevenger immediately had an idea. “She suggested donating them to the hospitals where our nursing students train,” Kim explained. “I love that these pillowcases will bring some sunshine to hospitalized children. It’s a blessing to me to sew them, and I hope they will be a blessing to the children as well.”
Kim plans to keep sewing to have more pillowcases to donate. “I’ve since recruited several friends who love to sew, and they are making pillowcases as well,” she shared. “My hope is that we can make 500 pillowcases per year for the hospitals, but I’d love to expand the ministry to some of our United Way partners, as well. I encourage others to get involved too—either by sewing or making donations to help cover the cost of fabric.”
Monetary donations to the Bulldog Pillowcase Ministry, may be made to Clevenger at lclevenger@gardner-webb.edu. Those who want to join the “Seam Team” and sew pillowcases, may contact Kim at kdowns@gardner-webb.edu.

(March 24, 2021 Issue)

Editor’s Note: (The recipes in today’s Cooking Corner are from “50 Years of Serving Children” by Cleveland County School 
Food Service Association.)

SUNDAY 
CHICKEN
DINNER
Diana Hamrick
KM Middle School
6 chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken 
   soup
2 cups rice
1 cup chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. sage
¼ cup margarine, melted
Pour rice in casserole dish. Place chicken on rice. Mix soup with 1 can of water and chicken broth. Pour over rice and chicken. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix sage with melted margarine. Pour over chicken and rice. Cook for 1 hour on 350 degrees. Serves 6.

MELT I N YOUR MOUTH CHICKEN PIE
Patsy Rountree
KM Schools
1 chicken, cooked and 
   deboned
2 cups broth
1 can cream of chicken
   soup
1 stick margarine, melted
2 cups self-rising flour
2 cups buttermilk
Place chicken in 9x12 dish. Bring broth and soup to boil. Remove from heat and pour over chicken. Mix margarine, flour, and buttermilk and pour over chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Brown at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.

SQUASH PATTIES
Mary Bennett
KMHS
4 cups cooked squash, mashed
1 egg, beaten
1 cup onions, chopped
1 cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix ingredients together. Drop by tablespoons into pan with oil and fry until browned.


ANGEL BISCUITS
Annie Mae Berry
Grover Elementary
2 ½ cups self-rising flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 pkg. yeast in ¼ cup warm water
4 Tbsp. Crisco
1 cup buttermilk
Mix all ingredients; kneed and set in refrigerator overnight. Kneed again. Cut  biscuits and  let rise for at least 2 hours, then bake. Makes 12 to 16 biscuits.

(March 24, 2021 Issue)

I recently learned of a time capsule buried on the campus of KMHS in 1964, while the Phifer Road facility was under construction. Former teacher Carolyn McWhirter taught history at KMHS, then housed at Central’s campus on Ridge Street.
As an assignment, students brought to class items for a time capsule. A student’s parent fabricated the capsule, and all the items were sealed inside. The students put the capsule in the courtyard of the new school for safekeeping. The year was approximately 1964 and Carolyn’s husband Carl recently shared the story with me. He cannot remember the exact date the capsule was placed, but said it was done while the walls of the school were under construction.
It has been a tough year for me, and even more so for the McWhirter family, because Carolyn passed away one year ago last week. Carl remembered the story and shared it with me on Thursday. He participated in the project and said the students dug down several feet, placed the capsule, and put a bag of concrete on top of it, “to prevent the Shelby Lions from digging it up.” (The schools were in a heated rivalry then; I guess some things never change.) The time capsule was then covered over with dirt.
I am interested to see if the time capsule is still there. Wouldn’t that make a great story for the paper and a great lesson for students? The exact location of the capsule was also shared, and I wondered if the school would be interested in digging the time capsule to see what the students of 1964 thought future generations might be interested to learn about them. I reached out to Dr. Stephen Fisher at Cleveland County Schools and await a decision from him.
Carolyn McWhirter was an excellent History teacher. Later in her career she impacted countless lives as a guidance counselor by encouraging students to continue their educations after high school. From my own personal experience, I can attest that Carolyn was an exceptional teacher, mentor, and friend who loved her students dearly.
Carl estimated that 25 students participated in the project, going to new KMHS campus to place the marker. If you participated in this exercise, please let me know. When I write my next article on this topic, I would love to include students’ perspectives on the activity and the process they used to determine what should be placed in the time capsule. If we do find the capsule, I’ll be sure to photograph the contents to share the story with our readers.
Loretta Cozart can be reached by email at LHCozart@cccom.com.

(March 24, 2021 Issue)


AG Stein says he has no jurisdiction 

By Loretta Cozart

Mayor Scott Neisler reached out to the Herald on Sunday regarding a story that ran on WRAL News on Friday, March 19, and an interview he had with the news outlet earlier that day.
“I am being open with the Herald, because I want to be transparent and say there is no truth to the allegations regarding my family and the casino, as is alleged in a letter written by Susan Fisher, D-Buncombe, and thirteen NC Democrats and who requested an inquiry by Attorney General Josh Stein.”
In the story by Travis Fain, WRAL’s statehouse reporter, “Fisher and other lawmakers who signed the letter asking Stein to intervene said they couldn't point to specific wrongdoing, but they worry about land deals surrounding the project and who stands to gain.”
Mayor Neisler is mentioned specifically in the letter alleging he and his family stand to benefit from the casino being built nearby. “This is, yet again, another heavy handed attempt by the Eastern Band of  the Cherokee Indians to influence the outcome of the casino in Kings Mountain,” Mayor Scott Neisler said. “The Cherokees have estimated they will lose 100 million dollars when the Catawba open up so it is understandable why they are doing anything they can to stop it!”
The story also reported, “The casino letter was circulated by a lobbyist for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians,” however the lobbyist was not named. The story went on to report that “many of the signers are from western North Carolina, where the Cherokee tribe has stronger political influence. But some are from the Triangle area.”
   The letter got no traction with AG Stein and the story went on to report, “The attorney general plans to decline, with a spokeswoman telling WRAL News on Friday that the office ‘does not have authority to launch an investigation like this’ without a request from a local district attorney.”
In the article, WRAL reported “Neisler told them Friday that he would welcome an investigation. He said he doesn't expect to profit from the casino and that the roughly 700 acres his family owns a few miles from the project is, for the most part, being mined and ‘not buildable because of the mineral rights on it. This heavy-handed pressure the Cherokees have put on our state legislators by attempting to manufacture a conspiracy theory is shameful,’ he added.”

(March 17, 2021 Issue)

The Kings Mountain High School Booster Club would like to honor Jazmine Jimenez-Chaires as their Good Citizen of the week. Jazmine is a 4th grade student at West Elementary School in Mrs. Patrick’s class.
Jazmine is an incredible student that exemplifies positive characteristics in the total school environment each day. She excels academically and displays an optimistic attitude that is contagious. Jasmine is always willing to help others on campus. She is very kind to her peers and respectful to all adults. Outside of school she enjoys art and dance.
Jazmine is the daughter of Alex Gutirrez and Claudia Chaires.

(March 17, 2021 Issue)

34 North Carolina Main Street Champions were recognized virtually for their commitment to downtown revitalization and strong communities during a virtual recognition ceremony    on March 11.
Kings Mountain’s John McGill was recognized for renovating 133 W. Mountain Street last year and the building is now being used as one of Kings Mountain’s newest restaurants. Thirty-eight Main Street Champions received honors for contributions to their Main Street programs and downtown districts last year. Including the 2020 honorees, 804 Champions have been recognized since 2000.
 “There are three keys to economic development success: public-private partnerships that share in the effort and jointly celebrate the successes of projects; economic development strategies that leverage local assets for authentic enhancements and improvements; and local champions that are leading the effort every step of the way,” said Kenny Flowers, Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development at the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  “The Main Street program throughout the state, is the epitome of the implementation of these three key components of success.”
“N.C. Commerce and N.C. Main Street have been recognizing Main Street Champions for more than two decades. We know that the success of downtown districts is because of the people behind the effort, and each year, we recognize the visionary individuals that have a strong sense of commitment to their community. They develop projects that improve quality of life, grow cultural and recreational development, renovate historic properties and spur investment and create jobs and businesses,” said Liz Parham, director of the N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center.

(March 17, 2021 Issue)

(Ed. Note: The recipes in today’s Cooking Corner are from “Monumental 
Recipes,’’ a cookbook by Kings Mountain 
Woman’s Club.)

TOMATO PIE
Cup & Saucer Tea Room
2 or 3 tomatoes sliced to
  cover bottom of pie 
  shell
Sprinkling of dried basil
Bunch of chopped green 
   onions
1 9-inch prebaked deep 
   dish pie crust
1 c. cheddar cheese, 
   grated
1 c/ mozzarella cheese, 
   grated
1 c/ mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Layer tomato slices, basil and onion in baked pie shell. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix together cheese and mayonnaise. Spread on top of tomatoes and bake until lightly browned.

BAKED BEANS
Marty Blanton KMPD
1 lb. No. 3 can Pork N 
   Beans
1 lb. sausage
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. molasses
½ cup catsup
½ cup water
Prepared mustard to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
In a large deep casserole dish, empty Pork N Beans, cooked and drained sausage, brown sugar, molasses, catsup, water, mustard, salt and pepper. Mix well and cook for one hour in 350- degree oven. (if you don’t have molasses, increase brown sugar by 2 T).

CUBE STEAK AND GRAVY
Jerry Tessneer KMPD
1 lb. cube steak
1 cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
1 can cream of mushroom
   soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
Flour and salt and pepper steak. Then fry it until it is brown on both sides. Put your soups in a large pot. Mix well and put cube steak in the soup and let it simmer for about 1 hour. It will melt in your mouth.

GRAHAM CRACKER FRUIT CAKE
Jean Davis
16 oz. marshmallows, melted
1 box white raisins
16 oz. cherries, sliced
1 box graham crackers, crushed
1 cup milk
3 cups chopped pecans
Save 12 cherries and 12 pecans for top of cake. Mix ingredients together. Line graham cracker box with foil. Pack mixture into box. Refrigerate 12 hours before serving.

 

(March 17, 2021 Issue)

Denise Wright wof Coldwell Banker Mountain View, was named Realtor of the Year by the Cleveland County Association of Realtors.
The purpose of this award is to recognize a Realtor member of the association who has made significant contributions during the year or over a period of years to their profession and their community.
Wright is a Realtor/Broker and President of Mountain View Real Estate Inc.  She is a native of Cleveland County, a graduate of Burns High School and UNC Charlotte. Her career in Real Estate began in 2004.
She has been very active in Cleveland County Associations of Realtors, having served on the Finance, Legislative, MLS, Scholarship and Core Standards Committees, on a NCAR committee and as an officer of the Association.  Denise has served the association as Treasurer for 6 years.
Within the community, Wright serves on the boards of the Department of Social Services and Crime Stoppers. She is a member of the Junior Charity League of Shelby and Eastside Baptist Church, and participates with a team in the annual Relay for Life.
Denise is also a multi year recipient of Coldwell Bankers Presidents Award, most recently Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle for her production in 2020. This is Awarded to individual sales associates who are in the top 5% of all Coldwell Banker Agents.
Coldwell Banker is the oldest and most recognized name in real estate with offices all over the United States and the world. Coldwell Banker has been working since 1903 to help clients b    uy and sell real estate.

(March 17, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

After a year without meeting, Cub Scout Pack 93 from East Elementary school has joined forces with Pack 92 at Central United Methodist Church in Kings Mountain where can finally meet.
As a recent service project and a thank you to Kings Mountain Police department, the Lion, Tiger and Wolf dens put together a thank you treat bag. Each bag contained a  Survival Kit for Law Enforcement Officers.
• Life Saver: To remind you of the many times  you’ve been one.
• Starburst: For the burst of energy you’ll need.
• Payday: Because you are not doing it for the money.
• Paper Clip: To help you hold it all together.
• Hershey Kisses: To show our Love for you.
• Gum: To help your unit stick together.
• Tootsie Roll: To help you roll with the punches.
• Peppermint Patty: To help keep your mind cool.
• Snickers: To remind you to keep your sense of humor.
• Mounds: For the “mounds” of courage you need.
Thank you for your service.

(March 17, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Deborah Hoyle and Patsy Payne Lemmon were recognized for service hours to veterans during the March 11 meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 155. District 13 District Director Linda Quinlan awarded Deborah Hoyle the American Legion Auxiliary Volunteer Hospital pin and bar for 4,000 hours of service.
Patsy Payne Lemmon was unable to attend, so Hoyle received on her behalf the American Legion Auxiliary Volunteer Hospital pin and bar for 300 hours of service. Lemmon drove Hoyle to purchase materials and often contributed toward her projects.
Hoyle crochets afghans and lapghans for veterans in local nursing homes. Together, she and Lemmon delivered those needed items to veterans for many years.
“These women exemplify what it means to be American Legion Auxiliary members. Supporting our veterans is at the core of the American Legion Auxiliary and our mission. The number of hours these women volunteered is amazing. It is with great honor I award these pins to Deborah and Pat,” Quinlan said.

(March 17, 2021 Issue)

Mr. and  Mrs. Jay Ford of Kings Mountain, NC are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Kellie Jayne Ford of Kings Mountain, NC to Darren Blake Stillwell of Gastonia, NC, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sonny ‘Pete’ Stillwell of Gastonia, NC.
Miss Ford is the granddaughter of Mrs. Patsy Shumaker of Charlotte, NC and Mrs. Mamie Ford of Lenoir, NC. She is a 2013 graduate of Kings Mountain High School, a 2017 graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s degree of Communications, a 2018 graduate of Liberty University with a Master’s degree of Human Resource Counseling and is currently working on her PHD. She is employed as a 6th grade teacher at Kings Mountain Intermediate School.
Mr. Stillwell is the grandson of Carol Garrison of Gastonia, NC. He is a 2012 graduate of Hunter Huss High School in Gastonia, and a 2017 graduate of Gardner Webb University with a Bachelor’s degree of Sports Management. He is currently employed as a Residential Sales Representative for Dominion Energy in Gastonia, NC.
The happy couple met at Chapel Grove Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC. The wedding is planned for November 6, 2021 at Spinning Leaf Vineyard in Shelby, NC. The couple will reside in Cherryville.

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

Mountain Street Pharmacy and Shelby Drugstore, in conjunction with the Cleveland County Public Health Center, hosted a COVID-19 Vaccine clinic on Friday, March 5 at Cleveland Community College.
Organizer and Pharmacist Allan Propst, BS R.PH, spoke of the event, “All in all, I was very pleased.”
This was a team effort, and he thanks everyone who assisted in organizing and manning the vaccine clinic, putting 300 shots into arms, and moving Cleveland County closer toward herd immunity.
“First, I’d like to thank DeShay Oliver, Deputy Health Director of Cleveland County Public Health Center for reaching out to Mountain Street Pharmacy and Shelby Drug Store to administer the COVID vaccines,” Propst said. “I also want to thank Director of Pharmacy, Dr. Chris Breeze, Pharm.D. for his help”
Once the decision was made to move ahead with the clinic, a location many could access was needed, and Cleveland Community College (CCC) was a logical location. “Many thanks to the COVID Response Team of CCC who got the necessary approvals from President Dr. Jason Hurst. Allen Kniceley, Director of Human Resources, Safety and Organizational Development and Bruce Mack, EdD, were a great help with the logistical aspects at the site,” Propst said.
The team was tasked with vaccinating 300 people from the community, including faculty and staff from Gardner-Webb University and Cleveland Community College. President Dr. William Downs and Barry Lane, Director - Environmental and Occupational Safety approved additional support from the university.
“Many thanks go to Gardner Webb’s Hunt School of Nursing, including Dr. Nicole Waters, Associate Provost for the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Anna Hamrick, Associate Dean/Associate Professor of Nursing, and Esther Porter, Clinical Administrative Coordinator of the PA program who managed the workflow and provided nine nursing students for the clinic,” Propst said.
Mountain Street Pharmacy provided Pharmacist immunizers including Allan Propst, Everett Lewis, Jr., Jacob Wallace, and Retired Registered Nurse Mary Lou Ware.
Shelby Drug Pharmacy Pharmacist Immunizers were Gary Hardin and Jeff Nunnery, along with Certified Tech Immunizer Mark Woodall and Pharmacy Tech Angela Poston.
Community volunteers from The Walt Disney Company included Jim Larson, Wayne Hawkins, and Barbara Justice. Additional community volunteers included Tricia Propst, Megan Poston, and Allison Houser.
Allan Propst also thanks Tabitha Thomas from Patrick Senior Center for taking calls and scheduling screenings. Additionally, CCC’s EMS Instructor, Matt Childers approved providing Adjunct Instructor Brandon Ferguson to be on-site the entire day.
“This was definitely a group effort and I am grateful to all those who helped through the roles they played. The event ran very smoothly and that can be attributed to the professionals who volunteered to help in this effort. It was hard work but made for a very rewarding day,” Propst concluded.

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

Kings Mountain High School Booster Club would like to honor
Marshall Frye, fourth grader from North Elementary School as their Good
Citizen.
Marshall is the son of Justin and Kimberly Frye. His grandparents are Randy and Lynda Frye of Kings Mountain, Cathy Carter of Martinsville, VA and the late John Carter.
Marshall enjoys playing video games, spending time outside with his brothers, working in the garden, swimming, reading, drawing and playing piano. His favorite subject at school is reading.
Marshall exemplifies the true meaning of citizenship. He believes in treating other individuals the way he wants to be treated. He stands up for what he believes to be the right way. Marshall is a responsible, hard-working student, and he is a true example of integrity.
He is a positive role model to others by being informative, active and involved with his family, peers, school, teachers and community.

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

By Tabitha Thomas

• S.H.O.P. Food Pantry: Please call if you need food, Depends, Boost, or a mask. We will check our supply and arrange a time for you to come by!
• Friday Drive Through: Feel free to drop by each Friday morning between 10 am and 12 pm to pick up a goodie bag and say hello! We ask that you drive around the front of the center and pull around to the back under the canopy. We will be smiling behind our masks and ready to say hello! Please stay in your car, and we will bring your goodie bag to you.
• Facebook LIVE: We now have our own Patrick Senior Center Facebook page! We do a LIVE show every Monday through Thursday morning at 10 am. Come join us for conversation, updates, and riddles!
• Weekly Wellness: Join us each Thursday morning on Facebook LIVE at 11 am to 11:30 am for an exercise routine, some deep breathing or stretching. You will be glad you did!
• Senior Center Donations Needed: Personal hygiene products, Depends, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, cleaning & laundry products, masks, activity books, canned and dry goods, microwavable meals, and pet food. Individually packaged items: pudding, fruit, soup, Pop Tarts, cereal, mac & cheese, peanut butter, oatmeal, grits, etc.
• Conference Call Programs: Bible History—Tuesdays, 10 am to 11 am and Faith & Fellowship—Wednesdays, 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Once you sign up, you will be given a phone number to call and a list of guidelines will be mailed to you, or you can drive by the Senior Center to pick them up.
• Senior Games: Monday, April 12—Friday, April 16. If you would like information about the 2021 Senior Games, please call Karen Grigg. Deadline to sign up is April 1.
• Mobile Red Cross Blood Drive: Friday, April 16, 10 am to 2:30 pm at the Patrick Senior Center. Please call Karen Grigg at the Center to schedule an appointment. Your donation could save a life!
• Zoom Knitting Class: (Online via Zoom) on Tuesdays, 8:30 am to 10:30 am. Call Karen Grigg to get the link to join.
 • Programs are open to people ages 55 and up. For updates or more information of any of these events, please call 704-734-0447.

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

Ed. Note: The recipes in today’s Cooking Corner are from “100 Years in the Kitchen,” a cookbook by Women of the Church of First Presbyterian Church.”

CHOCOLATE
POUND CAKE
Ginny Maner
½ lb. butter
½ cup margarine
3 cups sugar
5 eggs
3 cups flour
¼ tsp. salt
½ t. baking powder
½ cup cocoa
1 ¼ cup whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla
(All ingredients at room temperature.)
Cream butter, margarine and sugar well. Sift flour, salt, baking powder and cocoa together. Add 5 eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg. Add flour mixture alternately with milk. Add vanilla last. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes in a greased then dusted with cocoa in a Bundt pan.

BANANA
 PUDDING
Jane King
3 small pkgs. instant 
  vanilla pudding
5 cups milk
1 small carton sour cream
1 large Cool Whip (leave
   some for topping)
Bananas
Vanilla wafers
Mix first 4 ingredients and layer beginning with wafers, adding bananas, then pudding, etc. Place remainder of Cool Whip on top layer of pudding.

OVEN BAKED 
STEW BEEF
Christine Ramseur
Trim off some of the fat. Add 1 can onion soup and 1 can mushroom soup undiluted. Cover with foil and bake at 325 degrees for 3 h ours. Serve over rice.

LAYERED
PEA SALAD
Arlene Barrett
2 c. shredded lettuce
1 c. celery, chopped
1 large Spanish onion, 
   sliced
1 c. sliced water 
   chestnuts
1 No. 2 can early peas, 
   drained
1 c. mayonnaise
Sugar
Parmesan cheese
Put the above in layers. Spread with mayonnaise. Sprinkle lightly with sugar and Parmesan cheese. Cover and refrigerate several hours before serving. Mix together before serving.

 

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

Mauney Memorial Library, in partnership with the Patrick Senior Center, will be creating a community garden on the Patrick Center grounds this spring. This garden will be an educational, instructional and leisure place for all community members.
Part of the educational/instructional component of the garden is a collaboration with the YMCA student care program. Instruction sessions will be facilitated by Judy Ford, Master Gardener, in conjunction with the library. Student participants will be learning how to grow seeds into plants and care for the seedlings until they are transplanted into the garden. These plants will then be planted in a raised bed in the community garden that will be only for the YMCA student participants.
If conditions permit, YMCA students will go to the community garden and be taught how to plant their seedlings into the bed and how to bring them to harvest. They will then be encouraged to come to the garden and take care of their plants throughout the growing season. YMCA participants will be able to take a sample of their harvest home to enjoy. This educational opportunity will teach community children how their food is grown and allow them to be able to know how to produce their own gardens through the instructional workshops provided.
“The YMCA would like to thank Christina M Martin and City of Kings Mountain /Mauney Memorial Library for allowing the YMCA participate in the gardening project,” shared Ranata Wingo, YMCA Director of Family Programs.

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

Join everyone’s favorite cat in a madcap adventure as we celebrate Read Across America and the birthday of Dr. Seuss! Sigmon Theatrical  is well known for their signature performance of Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat, and they've crafted this interactive performance (starring that crazy cat) exclusively for virtual streaming. This program is jam-packed with stories, cake baking, magic tricks, songs, circus feats, and shenanigans out the wazoo! This virtual birthday bash will leave everyone laughing and saying WOW! Presented live on the Mauney Library Facebook page.

(March 10, 2021 Issue)

Kings Mountain High School Booster Club would like to honor Sophia Wilson, fourth grader from Bethware Elementary School as their first Good Citizen for the week for KMHS football. Sophia always has a positive attitude and  a willingness to help everyone around her. She is a model student and everyone who meets her calls her a “ray of sunshine”. Sophia’s favorite subject is math and during her free time she loves to play outside, watch tv, and have quality time with her family. She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Erin Wilson. Pictured above left to right: Bethware Principal Dr. Amy Jones, Sophia and  Booster Club President Mark McDaniel.
 

(March 4, 2021 Issue)

By Tabitha Thomas

Senior Center participation is open to adults age 55 and over (registration required – call for details.)
Hours of Operation: Staff available by phone 8 am-5 pm, Mon-Fri.
Outdoor Walking Track open 9 am-4 pm
Rentals: No rentals through March (Call Bonnie Hale for later dates)
   NC SHIIP Program
If you are getting ready to start Medicare, please call for information about enrollment periods, supplements and drug plans! You may qualify for Extra Help with your medications! Also, please call between Jan 1-March 31 if you are on a Medicare Advantage plan and want to make a change.
Check out our “Medicare 101” presentation through Zoom!
Tuesday, March 9, 5:30-7 pm
Please call to register and to get Zoom link.
St. Patrick’s DayDrive-Thru
Wednesday, March 17 10 am—12 pm
For the wee bit of Irish at heart! Just drive around to the back of the building for a quick hello and a St. Patty’s surprise! Please call to RSVP by Friday, March 12.
   Friday Drive-Thru
Friday Mornings, 10 am -12 pm. Please drive around to the back to say hello! Please stay in your car and we will bring you your goodie bag and masks if you need them. Food bags, Boost and Depends will no longer be distributed at the Drive-Thru in order to cut down on wait times. Please call Glenda to register for food, Depends or Boost and to be given pick-up times for these items.
   Income Tax Assistance provided by Liberty Tax 
Beginning Monday, January 25, you may drop off your tax documents at the Patrick Center back entrance on Monday or Tuesday afternoons between 12 pm and 2:30 pm.
When you drop off your documents, we will make a copy and get them to Liberty Tax, and you will be given an appointment to complete your taxes curbside at the Patrick Center on a Wednesday afternoon or at their office in Gastonia on a Thursday afternoon. Returns can also be sent to you via email for completion. Please call the center for more information including what documents to bring.
   Conference Call 
Programs
Bible History—Tuesdays, 10 am 11 am
Faith & Fellowship—Wednesdays, 9:30 am -10:30 am
This is a chance to meet new friends and participate in a program over the phone! Call the Center for more details and to sign up!
S.H.O.P. Pantry
Please call if you need food, incontinence supplies, or nutritional supplements. We will check our supply and arrange a time for you to come by! (Delivery also available if needed).
All clients must a registered participant before picking up these items.
Telephone Reassurance
Designed to help homebound elderly to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. Volunteers will provide reassuring telephone calls on pre-arranged days. Please call Glenda for more information.
   Donations Needed: 
Personal hygiene products, Depends, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, cleaning & laundry products, masks, canned and dry goods, microwavable meals, and pet food. Individually packaged items: pudding, fruit, soup, Pop Tarts, cereal, mac & cheese, peanut butter, etc.
   Facebook Live!
We now have our own Patrick Senior Center Facebook page! We do a LIVE show on Monday through Thursday at 10 am. Come join us for conversation, updates, and riddles!
   Transportation
TACC can currently take you to your doctor appointments or bring you to the Senior Center once we reopen. Call Bonnie Hale to find out more about this service.
Other services we can help connect you to:
Home Repairs, In Home and Respite Care, Job Placement/Job Skills, Hospice and Palliative Care, Reverse Mortgage Counseling, Medicaid/Social Security Benefits, Home Delivered Meals, Mental Health Services, Disaster Preparedness, Long-term care/Ombudsman, Rehab Services, and Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program. Call Glenda for more information about these services!
   Mass Call System
We have a way to call all our participants and give them updates. If you have not been receiving calls and would like to get them, please call the center to be added to the list!
The Patrick Center is located at 909 E. King Street Kings Mountain, NC 28086, (704) 734-0447.

(March 4, 2021 Issue)

Legislation giving North Carolina families the choice to attend in-person summer learning programs in public schools cleared multiple state House committees on Tuesday with support from local superintendents who spoke in favor of the bill.
House Bill 82 Summer Learning Choice for NC Families would provide six-weeks of classroom instruction, five days a week, for families who choose to participate this summer. The programs are targeted to students falling behind during remote learning but are available to all North Carolina families.
The bill is designed to encourage student participation by offering core academic courses mixed with enrichment and physical activities. It provides time flexibility to local school districts by prescribing hours requirements instead of days, allowing districts to tailor the program to their specific needs.
Disability Rights NC joined local superintendents in support of the legislation in public comments to the House Education Committee.
"This bill will positively impact students with disabilities who are at risk of retention, particularly middle school and high school students who have been subject to 100% remote instruction for nearly a year," attorney Meisha Evans with Disability Rights NC told the House Education K-12 Committee.
"There are students with disabilities who do not have access to remote instruction due to the nature and severity of their disability. This bill will give students with disabilities a chance to make up some of the critical in-person instruction that they lost."
   Harnett County Schools Superintendent Dr. Aaron Fleming spoke in favor of the legislation on Tuesday.
"There's no doubt that losing close to a full year of full-time, face-to-face instruction, we are starting to see a lot of loss of learning in our student population," Dr. Fleming said.
"Being physically present in a classroom with a quality teacher is best for our students. This bill will help us in regaining some, but certainly not all, of this time back. It is an opportunity for our students at the most significant risk of falling behind to catch up and prepare for the next grade level or course."
Mt. Airy City Schools Superintendent Dr. Kim Morrison said her district had over 400 students attend a summer program in 2020, and the success of those classes informed her support for the bill.
"Each district is different, in their local context, need for programs, access to resources, and support for students," Dr. Morrison said.
 "I believe that House Bill 82, at its heart, supports what we fundamentally believe, which is that summer programs are a good start to a productive academic school year. Our goal is to work with the state legislature to provide a strong network of support for every student in our state. We appreciate your willingness to give local flexibility when possible, such as allowing districts to decide how many hours are needed each week...and opening the possibility for retirees to come to work."
  Speaker Moore addressed the House Education K-12 Committee on Tuesday. "This bill simply provides for a very robust summer learning program to allow these children to get caught up from missed time away from in-person classes," Speaker Moore said.
"We hear support for this from parents, teachers, administrators, and really from everyone involved, so I hope this bill will get good bipartisan support. It stands for the proposition that we know these children have really had a difficult time with COVID-19, not having that classroom experience, and giving them a very robust summer program."
H.B. 82 was approved by the House Education K-12 Committee and the House Committee on Pensions and Retirement on Tuesday. It was heard in the House Rules Committee and the full state House of Representatives passed it on Wednesday, Feb. 24.
That day the Senate read the bill and it passed its first reading. It as referred to the Committee on Rules and Operations for consideration.

(March 4, 2021 Issue)

The Codes Enforcement Department asks the citizens of Kings Mountain for their participation in cleaning up their property of junk and litter. The Community Appearance Code is a city adopted ordinance that regulates the open storage of junk and litter located on private property.
 A Codes Enforcement Officer will issue notices of violations to property owners and tenants of properties in violation of this ordinance which may include a civil penalty of $50 for each day that a violation continues to exist.
The main objective for the enforcement of this ordinance is to establish and maintain clean neighborhoods for the enjoyment and comfort of our citizens. Thanks for your support in helping to make Kings Mountain a beautiful place to call home. For more information please contact the Codes Enforcement Department at 704-734-4561.

(February 24, 2021 Issue)

By Loretta Cozart

On Monday, February 15, an F-3 tornado touched down in Brunswick County, NC at approximately 11:45 pm, traveling at 160 MPH and leaving a 22-mile path of destruction in its wake. Three were killed and 10 were injured in the freak tornado. Residents had a five-minute warning before the tornado hit. Kings Mountain native Renae Nolen Pruitt and her husband lived through the tornado in a neighborhood nearby.
“It was devastating. The tornado hit about 2-miles away in a retirement community called Ocean Ridge Plantation. Houses there are brick, and two homes were totally demolished. There was nothing left of them but the foundation,” Pruitt said. “We were experiencing a bad storm. Right before the tornado hit, we heard a BOOM when a transformer blew out. The lightening was so bright and every window lighted up. Then the power went off.”
“We got a tornado warning on our phones about 5 minutes before the tornado touched down. I heard a sound like that of a train and thought, ‘There are no trains near here,’” Pruitt said. “That was when I realized I was hearing a tornado. After it hit, we went without power from 11:50 pm until 4 pm Tuesday.”
“The Doppler Radar is in Shallotte and it is about 30-years old. We didn’t get much warning,” Pruitt said.
The American Red Cross arrived Tuesday morning and provided shelter and distributed hot meals to people whose homes were damaged Monday night.
“The police told people not to go to the neighborhood to see the damage, and they are not letting anyone into Ocean Ridge.” Volunteers are helping with the clean-up and local restaurants are providing them food, according to Pruitt. “Local sources estimate that 50 homes were damaged.”
The houses there are ripped to shreds, cars and houses are all messed up. Two houses were completely destroyed, but right next door the house was fine. It is crazy how that happened,” Pruitt said. “This tornado just came out of nowhere and we are just thankful to be alive.”
Wednesday, Governor Roy Cooper visited Ocean Ridge Plantation to survey damage following the tornado that touched down in the community on Monday night. Governor Cooper spoke with local emergency management officials as well as homeowners already beginning to recover from the tornado.
“People in Brunswick County were hit hard by this ferocious tornado and we want to make state resources available as much as possible,” said Gov. Cooper.
   State emergency management and State Highway Patrol have been on the scene since Monday night and continue to assess damage to determine what resources may be available to assist in recovery efforts. 

(February 24, 2021 Issue)

The Cleveland County Public Health Center’s COVID Vaccine Appointment Line (980-484-6019) is open every Friday beginning at 1 pm to schedule appointments for the next week. The line remains open until all available appointments for the next week are filled.
Several weeks ago, NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) announced NC will transition to Group 3 (Child Care/Pre-K-12) effective February 24. As a result, the Cleveland County Public Health Center has begun working with local schools to schedule eligible school employees for next week’s vaccine clinic. The health department is already making plans for school clinics.
"We are working directly with our local schools to schedule these appointments,”. Depending on our dose allocation, we also anticipate beginning to schedule appointments for childcare workers through our COVID Vaccine Appointment Line on Friday for a clinic on Feb. 24 as well.”
Next week, Cleveland County Public Health Center will begin vaccinating Group 3 (Education staff in Pre-K – 12th grade and Childcare workers) in accordance with the NC Vaccine Prioritization Framework. They plan to begin vaccinating other essential frontline workers in Group 3 beginning on March 10. More details for scheduling these appointments will be released as this date approaches.
School employees whose school administration has communicated with them about vaccine scheduling should not call the COVID Vaccine Appointment Line to schedule appointments for next week. This will lead to duplication and take away from available appointments for other eligible recipients.
The public is advised to continue to monitor the Cleveland County Public Health Center’s Facebook page and website for more information regarding scheduling as well as any additional Pop-Up Vaccination Clinics that may occur between regularly scheduled clinics.
Cleveland County Public Health began scheduling appointments for childcare workers last Friday through its COVID Vaccine Appointment Line for their vaccine clinic this week. Childcare workers, as well as individuals in Group 1 or Group 2 that have not yet received their vaccine, may call our COVID Vaccine Appointment Line (980-484-6019) on Friday beginning at 1 pm. Once all available appointments are filled for next week, the phone lines will be closed, and you will receive an automated message stating all appointments have been filled.
   In accordance with NC DHHS guidance, Cleveland County Public Health plans to begin vaccinating other essential frontline workers beginning March 10. Continue to follow Cleveland County Public Health on Facebook and check their website for updated information on scheduling for other essential frontline workers.
As of February 19, the total COVID-19 First Dose Vaccines received by Cleveland County Health Department was 8,100. Of those, 6,866 first doses have been administered, or 85%. Appointments scheduled for Feb. 20 were 960. As of last Saturday, Cleveland County Health Department has administered 97% of the first dose vaccines, according to their Facebook page.
As of February 19, there have been a total of 9,987 cases of COVID-19 in Cleveland County. There are an estimated 231 active cases and 9,545 cases have recovered. There are currently 11 Cleveland County residents who are hospitalized, and the county has had a total of 211 COVID-related deaths.