A large fire has broken out at an abandoned cotton mill on Massapoag Road
in Lincolnton.

Firefighters and crews from multiple agencies were on the scene after the
fire started just before 6 p.m. Monday.

Check back with the Lincoln Times-News for more details as they become
available.

Ray Gora

SARAH LOWERY

Staff Writer

Discussion of moving forward with the construction of a speculative building using public funds will once again be on the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners’ agenda tonight.

The item, a decision on which was tabled earlier this year after a private developer had expressed interest in building the proposed facility, has proved a divisive one at past meetings.

It now appears less than likely that the project will be privately funded, with County Manager George Wood recommending that the county proceed with and finance the $1.8 million proposal.

“We have been unable to come to terms with the company we had been negotiating with for a speculative building,” he wrote in a recent memo to the board. “Given that, I am recommending that you proceed with the construction of a speculative building to be financed by the county.”

Construction of such a building has been a priority item among county officials for some time, with both commissioners and Lincoln Economic Development Association officials having asked Wood to look into the possibility in order to help with industrial recruitment and create more local jobs.

While initial attempts were also made last year to have a private developer construct the facility, little interest was received from companies at the time, and those that did respond to a request for proposals were unwilling to carry the full cost. Wood has said, however, that having a private firm finance the project had always been the preferred course of action.

Nonetheless, he has proposed using a 10-year loan scenario to fund the project, with hopes of filling the building within three years and recouping the costs. This would then result in the interest cost being the net cost to the county, which would equal roughly $109,350.

With several local industries’ tax-incentive grants due to expire, Wood believes those savings to the county could help cover some of the initial costs.

He has additionally cited the success of the Lincoln County Industrial Park, noting that public funds were used more than a decade ago to construct the park, which, now nearly full, has created a $263 million tax base.

Having already held two public hearings on the proposed shell building (during which former commissioners spoke out both for and against the project), all that’s left for the board to do is take a vote on the matter.

Also on tonight’s meeting agenda, commissioners will receive an update on changes to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance regarding real-estate signage.

Commissioners instructed Zoning Administrator Randy Hawkins in April to look into a complaint from Scott Knox, general manager and developer of Verdict Ridge Golf and Country Club and Community, regarding the number of off-premise directional signs allowed by the UDO.

Currently, only three are permitted, but Knox requested that that number be increased to help attract more interest in the subdivision and to encourage builders.

Other items on tonight’s Board of Commission meeting agenda include:

• Commissioners are expected to vote on the fiscal year 2013-2014 budget. A public hearing, during which no one spoke, was conducted at their June 3 meeting.
• Commissioners will consider appointing Assistant County Manager Martha Lide as the interim county manager, effective July 1, following Wood’s retirement on June 30.
• Commissioners will discuss funding for the Child Advocacy Center, which was at risk of closing after facing significant monetary cuts from the state. Both the city of Lincolnton and the Board of Education have previously allotted money to help keep the center up and running.
• Commissioners will consider two change orders for the sewer project at the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport.
• Commissioners will consider approving the lowering and paving of Galway Lane, dependent upon the financial contribution from Lincoln Charter School, whose Denver campus is located on the roadway.
• Commissioners will consider a lease agreement with Community Health Partners, which for the past two years has been renting space in the Medical Arts Building at the old hospital on Gamble Drive in Lincolnton. The county has again put off plans for the renovation of the hospital complex into county offices.
• Commissioners will receive the recommendations of the Planning Board from zoning cases heard at their last meeting.

The meeting, to be preceded by a 5 p.m. retirement reception for Wood in the lobby, begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Citizens Center and is open to the public.

]]> http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?feed=rss2&p=62781 0 http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?p=62778&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=eastern-lincoln-man-faces-charges-for-statutory-rape http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?p=62778#comments Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:28:47 +0000 KaAnSuli http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?p=62778  

JENNA-LEY HARRISON

Staff Writer

Deputies have charged an eastern Lincoln County man involved in a sex-related incident with a teen girl more than two years ago, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Jeremiah Lee Mitchell, 37, of 5467 King Wilkinson Road in Denver, inappropriately touched a 15-year-old girl at a home in Iron Station, according to an agency press release.

Deputies charged the man after he turned himself in at the magistrate’s office this month.

He faces one felony count each of statutory rape of a 13-, 14-, or 15-year-old by a defendant six years older and indecent liberties with a minor.

Mitchell has since been released on a $50,000 unsecured bond, the Sheriff’s Office said.

File photo
Steve Martin, pictured in a photo from the Times-News archives, was a member of the 1968 N.C. State baseball team that made it to the College World Series.

JENNA-LEY HARRISON

Staff Writer

One day after the Wolfpack battled against the Tar Heels in the first round of the 2013 College World Series, Crouse resident and former starting right fielder for North Carolina State University, Steve Martin, reminisced about his days playing in the school’s inaugural trip to the competition more than 40 years ago.

While several of the players from the 1968 team traveled to Omaha, Neb., over the weekend to see the Sunday matchup against the two North Carolina teams, the fourth time this season the two squads have contested against one another, Martin’s health prevented him from making the trip.

However, he said friends still flocked to his house where he kept his eyes focused on the television, watching the intense game.

Since freshman weren’t allowed on the university’s team during the 1960s, Martin joined the Wolfpack squad his sophomore year.

At the time, every player on the team stemmed from North Carolina, he said, forming a unique bond among the men.

The team not only went on to win the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in 1968, a game Martin said they played in Gastonia, but also proved victorious over Florida State in the Southeastern District Playoffs.

While the Wolfpack’s 1968 band of baseball brothers didn’t win the World Series, they secured a third-place finish, falling to that year’s series champions, Southern California, Martin said.

During the competition, N.C. State also battled teams from University of Texas, Southern Illinois and St. Johns.

During Martin’s college career, he received a coveted spot on the All-American second string team since he was considered one of the nation’s top six college outfielders.

Only three other N.C. State athletes had received the honorable All-American title before him, according to an archived Times-News article.

A Lincoln County resident for the last 37 years, Martin was practically born with a baseball in his hand, taking time since the age of six to practice the sport nearly every day when he wasn’t working in the tobacco fields of Stokes County, where he was raised.

“You got to play every day if you want to be good,” he said.

Because his dad was disabled, Martin often threw balls and played catch with his mother on the family farm.

He revealed the Brooklyn Dodgers, now the Los Angeles Dodgers, was his favorite childhood team and that he always looked up to players like Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider along with former New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle.

Martin also kept a stout collection of baseball cards.

While he claimed he could have gone pro and signed with a major league team right out of high school, his parents encouraged him to attend college, where his forte for baseball earned him a place in the school’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

Even though he suffered a torn Achilles tendon only four games into his senior year, he joined a semi-pro team after college and traveled the country.

Following a few years of semi-pro, Martin traded in his cleats and baseball uniform for the green, taking on golf instead.

He noted how baseball is so different from a majority of other sports because it requires multiple talents and skills — running, catching, playing the field — rather than just one.

Although four-and-a-half decades have passed since the 1968 squad last united on a dirt mound and diamond field, they still try to gather for yearly reunions.

]]> http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?feed=rss2&p=62767 0 http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?p=62765&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=resident-reunited-with-stolen-pet-dog http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?p=62765#comments Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:20:18 +0000 KaAnSuli http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?p=62765  

JENNA-LEY HARRISON

Staff Writer

A Lincoln County man was reunited with his dog this month after he said someone stole her from his property in April.

For the last two months, Brian McClure has posted fliers and talked to various area residents after neighbors told him they witnessed a couple in a red truck pull up to his house and take his two dogs on April 3.

Both his Retriever, Annie, and yellow Labrador, Lily, were stolen, he said.

McClure noted the dog eventually roamed from the suspect’s western Lincoln County home to a residence a few houses down the street, where the owner recognized Annie from area fliers.

The woman immediately contacted McClure about finding his pet.

Luckily, Annie had not been mistreated but she was loaded with ticks, he said.

While McClure offered the woman a monetary reward for her kindness, she refused to take it.

While he still hasn’t found Lily, he said one of the individuals who allegedly took his dogs called him out of the blue one day.

“She sounded nervous and wasn’t sure if she should be talking to me,” McClure said, “but she wouldn’t tell me what she did with the lab.”

Deputies said they arrested the woman, Sherry Noles, on June 5 and charged her with stealing a dog, a felony in North Carolina.

McClure’s dog isn’t the only one that has gone missing in recent months.

According to Ryan Heavner, assistant chief of Lincolnton Fire Department, he and his wife’s red Labrador went missing earlier this month.

While he can’t prove it, Heavner said he has suspicions someone took Copper.

In the days after his dog went missing, area residents told him they spotted Copper near the Lincoln Country Club, on Lithia Inn Road in Lincolnton, and Lincolnton Middle School, on Startown Road.

After eight days of little sleep and searching endlessly for the couple’s furry friend, Heavner, along with help from a Colonial Village resident, who told him she thought she had seen his dog roaming in the community, located the red Lab around 6 p.m. Thursday on North Generals Boulevard.

“It was a blessing,” Heavner said.

While he claimed there are numerous area dogs that have gone missing in recent months, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Tim Johnson, head of Criminal Investigations, shot down the notion that a large number of county dogs are being stolen.

“We have not had an increase in dog thefts at all,” he said. “We have very few dogs reported stolen, period.”

Johnson noted that more often than not, dogs wander from homes rather than thieves targeting them.

For area owners who have lost a dog or other pet, several websites and Facebook pages offer them opportunities to post about their missing animals. People may also assist owners who have lost their pets by posting information about an animal that has been found.

]]> http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?feed=rss2&p=62765 0 http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?p=62762&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=obituaries-6-17-13 http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?p=62762#comments Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:19:32 +0000 KaAnSuli http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/?p=62762  

Phillip Eugene Prater

Phillip Eugene Prater, age 54, of 3149 Brady Hoffman Road in Lincolnton, went to his Heavenly home on Saturday, June 15, 2013, after a long courageous battle with leukemia.

His funeral service will be 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at New Heights Baptist Church with Rev. Cameron Dula officiating. Burial will follow in High Shoals Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. this evening at Warlick Funeral Home.

Mr. Prater was born January 1, 1959 in Lincoln County to Dorothy Reynolds Prater and the late Joyce “Joe” Harold Prater.  He worked in quality control at Timken for 24 years. He served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at his church.

He is survived by his wife, Tanya Tucker Prater of the home; two sons, Holden Prater and Landon Prater, both of the home; two brothers, Randy Prater and wife Reba of Iron Station and Scott Prater of Lincolnton; three sisters, Sandra Moore and husband Jimmy, Donna Thomas and husband Richard, and Tammy Shrum and husband Marty, all of Lincolnton; and his mother, Dorothy Prater of Lincolnton.

Memorials may be made to New Heights Baptist Church, P.O. Box 60, High Shoals, NC 28077, or to the SECU Family House of Winston-Salem, 1970 Baldwin Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Warlick Funeral Home, Lincolnton is serving the Prater family.

Shirley Mae Farris

Shirley Mae Farris, age 78, of 420 E. Rhodes Street in Lincolnton, died on Friday, June 14, 2013.

Her funeral service will be 2 p.m. today in the Warlick Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Hulls Grove North cemetery. The family received friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, 2013 at Warlick Funeral Home.

Miss Farris was born May 8, 1935 in Lincoln County to the late Doris Clyde Farris and Vergie Vida Whitworth Farris. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a son, Anthony James Farris. She worked in furniture manufacturing.

She is survived by her children, Randy Farris and wife Amy, Thelma Farris Rudisill and husband Larry and Dainty Perry, all of Lincolnton, Karen Farris Rodriguez of Georgetown, Tex., and Marvin Glenn Farris of Lincolnton; two brothers, Samuel Farris and wife Kate of Spartanburg, S.C. and Jimmy Farris and wife Jane of Vale; two sisters, Pauline Parker and husband Glenn of Newton and Fern Ramsey of Lawndale; sixteen grandchildren; thirty-nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Warlick Funeral Home, c/o Shirley Farris Funeral Fund, P.O. Box 1407, Lincolnton, NC 28093.

Warlick Funeral Home, Lincolnton is serving the Farris family.

Gertrude Eaker Cook

Gertrude Eaker Cook, of 222 Linwood Drive in Lincolnton, was called home on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at the age of 83.

Her funeral service will be held 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Hollybrook Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 1:45 p.m.  prior to the funeral at the church.

Mrs. Cook was born June 7, 1930 to the late Clyde and Ruth Thomas Eaker in Gaston County. Her family spent their lives in Lincoln County. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray “Smokey” Cook in 1993; brothers, David Eaker and Bill Eaker; and sister, Dean Silman Nelson also preceded her.

Mrs. Cook was a life-long member of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. Her faith was her rock for all ages. She loved working with age extremes: children and seniors. Although somewhat conservative, she was nonjudgmental and served as a great role model for acceptance. She believed all people deserved forgiveness and mercy. In difficult times, she always trusted in God to lead her.

She was a constant companion as a wife, a dedicated mother and loyal friend. Gertrude was also a homemaker, dedicated textile employee and faithful church worker. She volunteered countless hours to minister to others. Her life’s example taught quiet lessons and is a lasting testament.

Mrs. Cook is survived by a son, Timothy R. Cook of Mooresville; one brother and caretaker, Lester Eaker (wife, “Dot”) of Lincolnton; one sister-in-law, Gail Eaker-Aurora of Lincolnton; special family friend, Tom Troutman of Mooresville; numerous extended relatives and lifetime friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church Playground Fund, P.O. Box 441, Lincolnton, NC 28093.

Special thanks to niece, Lisa McGhee, and the Brian Center staff for their dedicated care.

Warlick Funeral Home, Lincolnton is serving the Cook family.

Connie Prue Hull Van Dyke

Connie Prue Hull Van Dyke, 92, of 1940 Hwy. 27 West, passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2013 at her residence.

Mrs. Van Dyke was born in Lincoln County on June 28, 1920 a daughter of the late Major Lee Hull and Elizabeth Seagle Hull.  She was a member of Christ Caring Christ Sharing Independent Church in Lincolnton assisted in the clothes mission of the church.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Jim H. Van Dyke Sr., and three sons George Ray, Major Lee and Jim H. Van Dyke Jr.; daughter, Mary Cynthia Jones and ten siblings.

Survivors include two daughters, Peggy Jo Beaver and Joy Kay Davis and Steve of Lincolnton; one sister, Merle Brendle of Vale; 13 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at Hull’s Grove Baptist Church from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. and at other times the family will be at the home.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at Hull’s Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. David Tallent officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home, PO Box 427 Cherryville, NC 28021, to help with funeral expenses.

A guest register is available at www.stameyfuneralhome.com

Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home, Cherryville is serving the Van Dyke family.

Sandra Davis Scott

Sandra Davis Scott, 57, of Lincolnton died June 13, 2013.

The family held a private service to celebrate the life of Sandra.

Robert F. Bennett, Funeral Service Licensee served the Scott family.

Faye Bridges Quick

Faye Bridges Quick, 79, of Cherryville died June 13, 2013.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home.

Glenn A. Weddington      

Glenn Alexander Weddington, 77, of Maiden died June 15, 2013.

A funeral service will be held June 18, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Ruhama Baptist Church in Maiden. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends, prior to the service, from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at the church.

Burke Mortuary, Maiden is serving the Weddington Family.

Contributed
Schools Superintendent, Dr. Sherry Hoyle with Honor Cadets.

The 10th annual Blue/Gold Award Ceremony held on May 16 was highlighted with the announcement of the “Rebel Navy” as a NJROTC Area SIX Distinguished Unit for the second-consecutive year. This prestigious award is earned by 30 percent of Navy JROTC units nationwide. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in academic, competition, cadet involvement and community service. The 3040 hours of community service by the small unit was noteworthy.
The award ceremony was a family and community affair, with many cadets recognized for their efforts during the year. Special guests included Lincolnton Mayor John O. Gilleland, Jr.; Lincoln County Sheriff David Carpenter; Mr. Clayton Mullis, Lincoln County School Board; Lincoln County Schools Superintendent Dr. Sherry Hoyle; West Lincoln High School Assistant Principal Mr. Steve Scercy; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Casellano, U.S. Marine Corps; Sergeant Major John Braswell. Also present were representatives from military/veteran/service organizations, recruiters and a large contingent of family members.
Recipients of military/civic organization awards were as follows, with presenters in parentheses:

* 82nd Airborne Association, Fayetteville Chapter – Gregory Gurganious and Joshua Sisk
* Air Force Sergeant’s Association – Wesley Phillips and Sabastian Sigmon
* American Legion Post 30, Lincolnton (Arthur Roseboro), Military Excellence – Darrell Evans; Scholastic Excellence – Justin Hallman
* American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 30 (Joyce Baxter), Military Excellence – Alisha Brown; Scholastic Excellence – Isabel Peterson
* American Legion Post 100, Cherryville (Michael Robinson/Charles Brown), Military Excellence – Kenneth Turner-Brown; Scholastic Excellence – Logan Dean
* American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 100 (David Cabiness/Reeves Black), Military Excellence – Makayla Gantt; Scholastic Excellence – Jamie Allen
* American Military Retirees Association (AMRA) – Max Morrison
* American Veterans (AMVETS) – Tyler Owens
* Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Award, Jacob Forney Chapter – Monica Self
* Celebrate Freedom Foundation Certificate of Achievement – William Sams
* Jewish War Veterans – Alex Brown
* Marine Corps Association Honor Graduate – Thomas Morris
* Marine Corps League, Jeb Seagle Detachment (Steve Reep) Distinguished Citizen – Zachary Freeman; Community Service – Larry Prather
* Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Charlotte Chapter – Ariel Hane
* Military Order of Purple Heart – Rebecca Auton
* Military Order of World Wars – Jordan Hull and Zachary Mellon
* National Sojourners Americanism Award – Brandy Abner
* Navy League of the United States Youth Medal, Charlotte Council (John Alger) – Rebecca Hoyle
* Non-Commissioned Officers Association – Megan Prather; Russell West; and Charles Crowder
* Order of Daedalians Award – Phillip Flowers and Tyler Heavner
* Reserve Officers Association, Fayetteville Chapter – Courtney Gentry
* Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), Lenior Chapter – Wilford Avery
* Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Charlotte – Melissa Leatherman and Charity Sells
* Surface Navy Association Stephen Decatur Jr. award – Joseph Burton (Junior); Jessica Garmon (Freshman)
* Special Forces Association XXI – Hannah Auton
* U.S. Army Recruiting Office, Gastonia – Scholastic – Steven Leonard; Male Athletic – Dustin Headrick; Female Athletic – Katlyn Reynolds
* Naval Recruiting District Raleigh Core Values Award – Brittany Doehling; David Houser; Christina Osborne; Diana Owens; Michael Richards
* Veteran of Foreign Wars 1706 – Jessica Baker
Recipients of NJROTC Individual
awards were:
* Exemplary Personal Appearance – Robin Davis, Rosa Flores, Christina Osborne, Diana Owens, Ralph Blackwell, Patrick Bowen, David Bryant, William Goble, Justin Huss, Gary Self Jr.
* Exemplary Conduct – Patricia Abner, Corey Adams, Eric Auton, Robin Bradley, Satavia Distasion, Tyler Eakes, Shelby Farrell, Rosa Flores, Timothy Goble, Dustin Headrick, Kristen Larkin, Steven Moore, Joshua Nulter, Christina Osborne, Diana Owens, Caleb Shehan, Joshua Sisk, David Vasquez, Scarlett Withers.
* NS-1 Outstanding Cadet – Jamie Allen, Nicholas Avery, Michaela Campbell, Noah Deon, Brittany Doehling, Phillip Flowers, Jessica Garmon, Christine Laabs, Alexis Lovelace, Robert Summey, Brooke White.
* NS-2 Outstanding Cadet – Brandy Abner, Hannah Auton, Alisha Brown, Phillip Flowers, Joseph Haas, Ariel Hane, Rebecca Hoyle, Ryan McKnight, Megan Prather, Charity Sells, Sabastian Sigmon.
* NS-3 Outstanding Cadet – Courtney Gentry, Michael Richards, Russell West.
* NS-4 Outstanding Cadet – Justin Abernathy, Rebecca Auton, Monica Self.
* Military Aptitude – Wilford Avery, Jessica Baker, Charles Crowder, Logan Dean, Darrell Evans, Makayla Gantt, Gregory Gurganious, Justin Hallman, Tyler Heavner, David Houser, Melissa Leatherman, Steven Leonard, Stefan Lynn, Ivan McCormick, Zachary Mellon, Max, Morrison, Diana Owens, Tyler Owens, Isabel Peterson, Wesley Phillips, Larry Prather, William Sams, Monica Self, Kenneth Turner-Brown.
* Honor Cadet – Zachary Freeman, Joseph Burton, Ariel Hane, Katlyn Reynolds
* Distinguished Cadet – Thomas Morris, Joseph Burton, Alex Brown, Katlyn Reynolds.

NJROTC Varsity Letters:
* Color Guard – Joseph Burton, Darrell Evans, Thomas Morris
* Drill – Jessica Baker, Alex Brown, Joseph Burton, Logan Dean, Noah Deon, Darrell Evans, Courtney Gentry, Justin Hallman, Jordan Hull, Melissa Leatherman, Thomas Morris, Max Morrison, Isabel Peterson, Wesley Phillips, Katlyn Reynolds, William Sams, Monica Self, Charity Sells, Kenneth Turner-Brown, Brooke White
* Rifle – Steven Leonard, Max Morrison, Wesley Phillips

NJROTC Advancements:
* Seaman Apprentice – Patricia Abner, Corey Adams, Michaela Campbell, Brandon Cook, Kristen Larkin, Alexis Lovelace
* Seaman – Tyler Eakes, Makayla Gantt, Steven Moore, Tyler Owens, Larry Prather, Scarlett Withers
* Petty Officer Third Class – Wilford Avery, Jessica Baker, Jordan Hull, Ryan McKnight, Zachary Mellon, Diana Owens, Katlyn Reynolds, Michael Richards, Joshua Sisk
* Petty Officer Second Class – Robin Bradley, Satavia Distasio, Phillip Flowers, Gregory Gurganious, Rebecca Hoyle, Charity Sells
* Petty Officer First Class – Steven Leonard
* Chief Petty Officer – Eric Auton

Honorary Crew Member Certificates:
* 4th Maintenance Battalion, USMC (Charlotte); WLHS Guidance Department

TUESDAY
Eye seminar
Graystone Eye will host a free refractive surgery seminar 6 p.m. at 2311 E. Main St. in Lincolnton. For more information, visit graystone-eye.com or call (828) 304-6611.

Library event
The Charles R. Jonas Library will feature Emmy Award-winning children’s entertainer Jason Ringenberg 7 p.m. at the Citizens Center in Lincolnton. For more information, call (704) 735-8044. For details on Ringenberg, visit farmerjason.com.

WEDNESDAY
Autism Society programs
Today is the first day for two different five-week programs on Life Skills Development and Social Skills, each sponsored by the Lincoln County Chapter of the Autism Society of North Carolina. Both programs cost $50 and will be weekly for five weeks at Freedom Church, 125 E. Main St. in Lincolnton. The Life Skills program, for individuals with disabilities ages 13 and up, will be 10:30 a.m. to noon. The Social Skills program, for individuals with disabilities ages five and up, will be 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact Kristie Robertson at kwr0819@aim.com or (859) 200-5217 or Ginny Hall at ginhall2004@yahoo.com or (704) 742-0342.

VBS
Bethel Baptist Church, 200 Bethel Ch. Rd. in Lincolnton, will host a Vacation Bible School 6-8 p.m. daily today through Thursday for ages 4-14. The church will provide transportation to anyone needing it. To arrange a ride, call (980) 241-0982 in advance.

School Board meeting
The Lincoln County Board of Education will hold a special called meeting 6:30 p.m. at Battleground Elementary School, 201 Jeb Seagle Dr. in Lincolnton, to discuss and receive parent input on a school uniform pilot program for the school. An additional meeting will be June 26.
 
THURSDAY
AARP meeting
Local AARP 3682 will meet 11 a.m. at the Senior Center, located at the Gaston College-Lincoln Campus, 511 S. Aspen St. in Lincolnton. Gentivia will perform measurements on seniors’ daily activities. Attendants are asked to bring a covered dish. For more information, call (704) 276-2153.

Widowed Group
Widowed Group of the Greater Gaston Area will host a motivational class “Stretching Your Way to Health” with Karen Willis, RN, BSN, 6:30 p.m. at the Senior Park & Rec. Center, 1303 Dallas-Cherryville Hwy. in Dallas. Doors will open at 6 p.m, and refreshments will follow the program. For more information, call (704) 865-5663.

FRIDAY
EL Republican Women
The East Lincoln Republican Women’s group will host a lunch with N.C. Speaker of the House Thom Tillis 12 p.m. at the Club at Westport, 2525 Shanklin Ln. in Denver. Cost is $25. For tickets, call Beverly Robinson at (704) 966-0207.

SATURDAY
Broom sale
The Lincolnton Lions Club will host a broom sale starting 7 a.m. in the parking lot of the Cherryville Wal-Mart, 2505 Lincolnton Hwy. Also for sale will be children’s brooms and mops, patriotic badges, kazoos and more. Proceeds will benefit sight conservation in the area by providing funds for various club charities and for people to attend Camp Dogwood For the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Benefit for sick child
A benefit for local couple Elizabeth and Maurice Moore’s nephew Kaleb, who has stage four brain cancer, will start 9 a.m. at Lincoln Charter School, 133 Eagle Nest Rd. in Lincolnton. The event will include raffles, a martial arts tournament, food, entertainment and much more. A special award will also be handed out in memory of Ralph Rudisill, former owner of Zippers Restaurant. For more information call (704) 732-1588, (704) 308-1421 or email gmastermoore@aol.com.

SUNDAY
VBS
Crowell Memorial UMC, 4018 Killian Rd. in Lincolnton, will host a “Everyone Fun Fair” Vacation Bible School 6:30-8:30 p.m. daily today through June 25. Dinner will also be served 6 p.m. daily. All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, call (704) 735-8889.

VBS
Hill’s Chapel UMC, 988 S. N.C. 16 in Stanley, will host “Everyone Fun Fair” Vacation Bible School 6-8 p.m. daily today through June 25. Dinner will be served 5:30 p.m. To register, call (704) 827-9511.

UPCOMING
Soccer camp
The City of Lincolnton Parks and Rec. Center, in conjunction with Lincolnton High School’s Athletic Department, will host a soccer camp for boys and girls ages 6-14 9 a.m. to noon daily June 24-26 at the school soccer field. Register now at

Apple Festival vendors
The Lincoln County Cooperative Extension is looking for vendors for the Apple Festival. For more information, call (704) 736-8452.

Computer course
Register now to attend a beginner’s computer class 9 a.m. to noon daily July 8-31 at Gaston College’s Lincoln Campus, 511 S. Aspen St. in Lincolnton. For more information, call (704) 922-2244 or email hoyle.gail@gaston.edu.

Drama camp
The Lincoln Theatre Guild will host its 21st Annual Drama Camp July 15-19 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Denver and July 22-26 at the Lincoln Cultural Center, Lincolnton. To register, visit lincolntheatreguild.com or call (704) 452-7830.

As told by Carol Self: Owners of Estate Jewelers in Lincolnton, Carol and David Self are always aware of the importance of safety and security.  Carol tells me that David has seen to it that they have the highest level of security available. The following story is one Carol and David experienced at an out-of-state antique show. As frightening as it was, Carol feels a higher being was watching over them during this attempted robbery.
Carol says numerous vendors were displaying their wares at an antique show in Florence, S.C. approximately 10 years ago. “A vendor from Shelby who frequently came to our store and whom we bought merchandise from, came by our booth and commented he had been robbed by a band of Colombian jewel thieves recently,” she said.
The vendor said he parked his car directly in front of a jewelry store, locked it and entered the store. As soon as he entered the store the robbers sprang into action. He said he had only been inside the store two to three minutes. Upon returning to his car he saw the thieves had broken into his car and were rapidly unloading his cases of jewelry. When they saw him they said something to him in Spanish and aimed a gun at him.
An example of how thieves begin their mission is to puncture car tires with a nail, thus creating the need for the driver to pull off the road to repair the tire. At this time several cars would converge on the disabled car, rob them and be quickly on their way.
“At the end of the show on Sunday, we had packed our merchandise and we prepared to drive home to Lincolnton,” Carol said. “Normally David’s son, Dave, didn’t attend the shows with us, but he was off work and insisted on going with us to the show. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We had only traveled a short distance when a small green car tried to get between our two vehicles. David said, ‘There they are.’  I had no idea who he was talking about and said, ‘There is who?’ David said, ‘Several foreign looking men came into the show, walked slowly down the aisles then left.’  He and the show’s promoter had both noticed them and were suspicious of their behavior. Now these men were following us. Going through my mind was what the vendor from Shelby had told me and I was truly terrified.
“David realized we needed gas, saw a gas station and quickly whipped into it. The driver of the green car had not expected us to turn so quickly and he stopped, then drove on. The green car turned around and rode slowly by us observing what we were doing. Dave walked over to our car and noticed one of the tires had been punctured with a nail and was low on air. Remembering the conversation with the vendor who was robbed, my mind was spinning and my heart was beating wildly. I kept saying, ‘We have to call the authorities!’
“Dave told his father to pull the car over under the lighting after he was through pumping gas and he would change the tire. The green car kept driving back and forth watching us. Thankfully there were too many people around us and the area was well lit, so we felt safe for the moment.  We then decided it was in our best interest to go back to the antique show building and report the situation to the authorities and the show promoter. We had obtained the green car’s tag number and gave it to deputies, but it turned out to be a rental car.
“From that day forward we changed everything we do and vary our habits frequently. We had always varied our habits for security reasons, but after this experience we made even more changes. We always travel with another vehicle and we check our tires before we get into the car to go anywhere.”
I asked Carol if they had ever had another attempted robbery and she mentioned while they were displaying their merchandise at the Metrolina Fairground in Charlotte, someone punctured one of their tires. She said they have to always be alert to the possibility that what some might consider a coincidence, may in fact be deliberate to create conditions for them to be robbed.
Carol told me she firmly believes someone was watching over them that day or this experience could have turned out differently. This was the most frightening moment she has ever had.

Paulette collects interesting, funny and unusual stories from people in and around Lincolnton. If you have a story you would like to submit for her column, e-mail it to pballardnc1029@yahoo.com. In the subject line type “For your column.” Include your name and phone number for her to contact you.