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Page 2A-KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD-Monday, December 24, 1984
’
GARLAND ATKINS
A Tale Of
Three Cities...
McAdenville has long been known as “Christmas Town,
U.S.A.” This tiny Textile Mill village gained national
recognition many years ago when the City Fathers pulled
the switch to illuminate thousands of Christmas lights
throughout the little community.
A ride through McAdenville has become a must on
many people’s list of things to do and see during the holi-
day season.
Now, all of a sudden, McAdenyille isn’t the only
Christmastown Around. Every night this holiday season,
an estimated 12,000 people in some 3,000 cars arrive to
view Jim Bakker’s PTL Heritage Village, a 2,200-acre
religious complex just over the South Carolina line, south
of Charlotte.
More than one million Christmas lights (500,000 more
than last year) are ablaze there, illuminating trees,
buildings, and religious scenes. The banks of a five-acre
- lake are aglitter with bulbs, and a 150-foot tower is lined
with lights shaped like an enormous Christmas tree.
So many vehicles arrive at Heritage Village each night
that traffic backs up to the Carowinds exit at Interstate 77.
From there it is a two mile drive on a two-lane road to the
entrance to the village, where a five-mile circular route lin-
ed with decorations awaits the visitor.
There is literally “no room in the Inn” at Heritage
Village. The new Grand Hotel is completely filled and a
“no vacancy” sign greets visitors. Many of the people who
used to drive through McAdenville at Christmas are now
attracted to tk=gmore auspicious Heritage Village.
fo nis ville, there are no Grand Hotels, no
studios, no restaurants. The Christmas décora-
: Fons, though breathtaking, are basically simple. The tradi-
tion, was begun years ago by W.J. Pharr, who thought it
might be a nice gesture if the citizens of the town would all
decorate their yards at Christmas. They did and the simple
gesture soon gave the town a new spirit and that pride
spread for miles around. What was at first just a communi-
ty effort soon attracted visitors from all over the world. Bill
Pharr’s gentle spirit can still be felt amidst the Christmas
lights and soft caroling in McAdenville.
Whether you support the Philosophies of PTL or not,
you must admit Heritage Village is very impressive,
especially at Christmas. The McAdenville scene is never
changing - simpler, quieter.
The promoters of Heritage Village declare that “if
you’re not in the Christmas spirit when you arrive there,
you soon will be.”
Whatever the true Christmas spirit is, it is very illusive
feeling that everyone seems to be searching for. It means
different things to different people, and we all find it in dif-
ferent ways, in different places. For some, it can come
from a long distance phone call from a loved-one...for
others it may come when they see a simple manger scene
in “the small front yard of a textile worker in
McAdenville...for. others, it takes a million Christmas
lights...
Whatever it takes for you,:if you are one of the lucky
ones to receive the true Christmas spirit during this special
season...clutch on to it tightly...it’s a feeling that’s not like-
ly to last but a short while...then it will be gone....and
please don’t forget- where that wonderful feeling came
from...
...from a baby, lying in a primitive stable, thousands of
miles away in Bethlehem....a baby who had only one light
to celebrate his first Christmas...a light that came from a
million miles up in the sky....a light that will continue to
burn a thousand...nay a million years after all the others
have burned out.
DON'T BE AFRAID—Drew Neisler, held by his dad, Andy
Neisler, isn't too sure he wants to talk with jolly Ole St. Nick.
After some coaxing, the youngster decided he would get a lit-
tle closer to Santa Claus.
Reynolds
Receives
Degree
Colette M. Reynolds,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jake
M. Reynolds of 501 W. Gold St.,
received her B.A. degree with
honors in Intermediate Educa-
tion with. concentrations in
reading and social studies.
She completed requirements
for graduation in December and
will receive her diploma at com-
mencement exercises at Lenoir
Rhyne College in Hickory in
May 1985. :
Mountaineers
Entertain
At KMCC
Residents of Kings Mountain
Convalescent Center were enter-
tained by The Swinging Moun-
taineers, senior citizens band, at
the traditional Christmas Party
Friday afternoon.
Rev. Mitchell Pruitt, pastor of
Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church,
opened the program by reading
The Christmas Story and Rev.
Allen Jolley led in the group
singing of Christmas carols.
Highlight of the party was the
visit of Santa Claus who
distributed gifts and treats to
residents around a decorated
Christmas tree in the Activity
Room.
The program was coordinated
by Amanda Ashley, Activity
Director.
RIBBON-CUTTING —L.E. Hinnant, Mayor John H. Moss, Charles Neisler, John Young. and Pol-
ly Phifer, right, cut the ribbon officially opening to the public First Union National Bank's
new 24-hour Mini Bank at Kings Mountain Plaza.
‘24-Hour Bank Opens
First Union National Bank’s
new 24-hour Mini Bank opened
for customer service Friday mor-
ning.
Mayor John Henry Moss,
.assisted by First Union ex-
ecutives John Young and L.E.
Hinnant, Polly Phifer and Chair-
man of the Board Charles
~ Neisler, cut the green ribbon of-
ficially opening the bank near
the branch bank at KM Plaza.
Citizens are invited to come
by the Mini Bank at KM Plaza
and register for a give-away
-which includes $900 in cash plus
a microwave oven. You can
register from Dec. 21 through
Jan. 11 and no purchase is
necessary. :
Tellers are available to. give
citizens a demonstration of the
new banking service.
Manager Yount said that with
a First Union Mini Bank card,
you can withdraw cash from
your. checking or savings ac-
count, make a deposit, transfer
money and even get an account
balance or make a paymentona
loan. Since First Union is also a
member of the “Relay System”
customers can also have access
to cash in their checking or sav-
ings accounts and make balance
inquiries at over 800 locations in
North Carolina and other states.
The Mini Bank offers 24 hour
service seven days a week, said
Young, who invites local citizens
to “cash in on this convenience
and take a chance on winning,
without any purchase, the free
gifts during this holiday season.”
Home Federal
Savings and Loan Association
KINGS MOUNTAIN AND BESSEMER CITY
May this Christmas be
your merriest ever, so filled
with the joy and laughter of ™
friends and family to warm zg
you inside out. gd =
We thank you for your most
friendly patronage throughout 74%
the year, and we look forward
to serving you as we start a
brand new year together. ;
Merry Christmas!
Ly
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