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TT > i = About 25 local health and city leaders met at Kings Mountain Hospital last Wednesday to hear about the county's new member- ship in the Cleveland County : HIV/AIDS Consortium. County Health Department head Denese Stallings planned the pro- gram and brought Consortium President Tom Dillon and Director ' Donna Arrington from Charlotte to fill the group in on what the con- sortium has to offer. Stallings prefaced the presenta- tion by pointing out that of the 1 3,354 people tested in the county, Ware retires from Post Office By ELIZABETH STEWART Of The Herald Staff Robert Ware, 70, used to pick up the mail twice a day at the train tracks on Battleground Avenue. The 38-year veteran of the Kings Mountain Post Office clocked out for the last day on the job August 30. His co-workers say his friendly smile will be missed. Ware was hired in the early 1950's by former Postmaster Charles Alexander at the old post office and one of his duties was to hang the mail sacks over a seven feet tall pole near the railroad tracks on Battleground Avenue. A postal employee riding the Southern Railway train would pick up the bags with a arm hook. Personnel from the mail car would throw a locked up mail sack from the train. Ware was there to pick it up. "I called it a saddle bag," said Ware, describing how the mail had been sorted in the train's mail car and then locked up in a special bag so that it could be thrown easily to clear the tracks and not spill the mail. "One time the mail landed on a man's car," said Ware, describing how the train crews often missed their mark. Kings Mountain got several sacks of mail daily and Ware never missed a day picking it up at the tracks and depositing the bags of mail being shipped from Kings Mountain. “Ware -has since worked for two other postmasters: Fred Weaver and Mike Howard. The custodian on the staff says he has enjoyed the comer of the posal staff and ‘to his first retirement check. He ex- there were 69 who tested positive for the HIV virus and 24 cases of AIDS. "It's a growing and expensive problem,” Stallings said. Dillon said the consortium per- forms much like the United Way. It's an umbrella organization, whose major thrusts are grants, raising money and education. "I saw we have a war here, not between each other, but between AIDS and the human race," said Dillon. Arrington began by adding to Stallings’ statistics: In 1989, there has seen many changes, including overnight mail service. "I was really glad to get into this new post office six years ago even though I had more places to keep clean,” he laughed, recalling that the old quarters was crowded. A native of Kings Mountain, Ware was born on the Mauney | | Mill village but lived in a house al- most directly across the street from the present post office and at one time lived on Bonnie Mill Village near the old post office. "I reckon I walked about a block to work at both places," he laughed, noting that he and his wife moved to Meadowbrook Road four years ago. The son of the late Mr.and Mrs. R. E. Ware, he worked at Bonnie and Sadie Mills and as an electri- cian for a number of years. His wife, the former Cleo Cox, also worked at Sadie Mills for a number of years. The Ware family includes two daughters, Janice Carroll of Kings Mountain and Kathy Costner of Gastonia and two grandchildren. They are members of Central United Methodist Church. The veteran employee of the post office staff will be honored at a retirement party in October, along with Postmaster Mike Howard and city carrier Fred Bridges, both of whom are taking early retirements. Ware says he is looking forward pects to stay busy cutting grass and working "around the house" but re- turning to the post office to visit is high on his agenda of things to do in retirement. Bethware Fair draws record crowds, entries "Norris Howell, 14, has been ex- hibiting prize-winning crops at . Bethware Fair five years and this year he came away with the first prize among youth exhibitors. The 9th grade student started growing vegetables as a five-year- old when he planted tomatoes on the 12-acre truck farm of his par- ents, Roger and Peggy Norris. Howell's exhibits include 38 fruit and vegetable crops, home- made biscuits, cookies and 30 crafts items. He took home a $25 cash prize. The fair is expected to draw record entries and participants. More than 1900 people have en- tered exhibits, including agricul- tural products, youth exhibits, commercial exhibits, and a special display by Bethware Elementary School children. Mary Helen Queen's 200-year- old quilt and a 1882 baby dress are conversation pieces, along with antique cooking pots, carpet beat- ers, scales, jugs and lanterns. Bethware Progressive Club has dedicated the fair premium booklet to longtime member Jack Harmon, a former custodian at Kings Mountain High School. The book also includes pictures and bio- graphical information of children and grandchildren of members of the sponsoring club. Free entertainment on the mid- way will include Evil Country Band and Kenny's Clowns. McDaniel Rides is providing 20 rides for all age fair-goers and con- cession stands are available, in- cluding homemade ham biscuits in a booth sponsored by the Progressive Club. Thursday is Family Day with reduced rides from 6 until 11 p.m. The Fair runs Friday from 6-11 p.m. and on Saturday from 3 p.m.- midnight. were 159 AIDS cases reported in this area. In July of 1992, there were 511 AIDS cases. Statewide, in '89 there were 744 cases report- ed. In July 1992, 2,500 cases of AIDS were on record. North Carolina is in the top 11 states in the °_untry with reported cases of AIDS, said Arrington. The good news is, she said, is North Carolina is now eligible for federal funds. Arrington talked about the exist- ing services in the area for AIDS patients and their families. The House of Mercy is a resi- * dence facility, which can hold up to six patients. It is the only such house in the region, Arrington said, at the present. Metrolina AIDS Project, like- wise, is the only service organiza- tion in the region, she said. Upcoming, Arrington said an AIDS hotline would be housed at Metrolina AIDS Project and avail- able to the counties in the consor- tium. Arrington mentioned the Charlotte Area Health Education Center and its Physician Tutorial Program, for which 30 physicians signed up to learn more about AIDS and its treatment. Another class will be held in the future. She said that the consortium planned to develop a Regional AIDS Resources Directory, which would be "user friendly" for pa- tients and families looking for sources of help. The consortium had $150,000 for grant monies to individual agencies. Agencies applying and receiving the grants fulfilled ser- vices such as home delivered meals, emergency assistance and education. Thursday, September 10, 1992-THE KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD-Page 9A HIV/AIDS consortium meets at KM Hospital Another program that the con- sortium has is the Regional Case Management Network. Health de- partments in each of the 10 coun- ties that are members of the con- sortium received funding for a case manager who is skilled in AIDS work. Arrington said the network is a model for the state and the country. "We're excited about it," said Arrington. "But it is not the an- swer. It all has to work together in harmony." The consortium has 100 commu- nity leaders that set the agenda and over see the work. Now is the time to build In spite of plywood price gouching in the wake of Hurricane Andrew now. is the time for home owners to build new homes or re- model their present residences. This advice comes from both lo- cal builders and bankers who say that remodeling activity is on the upswing in this area and the prospect for future home building is good. Materials costs went up 30 per- cent after the hurricane which dev- astated Homestead, Florida. Ronnie Whetstine, of WW Construction, has put up 15 new homes in Pinebrook Colony this. year, a new 43-lot sub-division in the Oak Grove Community. The homes are priced at $60,000- $75,000. Whetstine says his firm is getting more inquiries in new home building and little in the re- modeling business. "Plywood and other framing ma- terials went up 30 percent after Hurricane Andrew and some folks want to wait to build but I don't think the materials will come down. With interest rates lower, now is the time to build," he says. ELLA HODGES Ella Hodges 104 years old Mrs. Ella Grubb Hodges cele- brated her 104th birthday July 28 in Roanoke, Va., where she lives with her youngest daughter. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Mrs. Hodges has six sons, including her youngest son, Henry P. Hodges, 61, of Kings Mountain, and four daughters. Two sons, deceased, were World War II veterans. The family also includes 41 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchil- dren, 42 great-great grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, seven step great-grandchildren, six step | great- great grandchildren, one half" ~~ brother and one half sister. Henry Hodges has been a resi- dent of Kings Mountain since 1974. J Contractors Dean Spears and Ruby Alexander agree as do finan- cial officers Elaine Grigg of First Union National Bank, Brenda Lovelace of First Carolina Federal Savings Bank and Brenda Cobb of Carolina State Bank. The loan officers call attention to brisk business among home bor- rowers for home improvements through 7 percent 15-30 year prime equity and taxwise loans. Customers refinance to pay off debts or to remodel. Activity is up in new construction loans. "When the economy improves and more people are back on per- manent jobs, we think more people will be building new homes," said Lovelace. Spears estimated that his compa- _ ny has doubled its jobs for remod- eling homes in the past six months. "We're doing as much building this summer as we did last summer but the higher cost of materials may hurt some." BDF Construction Company has built 16 new homes in White Plains community at Bethlehem this year and five more are under construction in White Plains, Foxtrot off Allen Road, and at Moss Lake. Paul and Mike Gaffney have custom-built a half-dozen homes at Moss Lake and the Country Club area. Robert E. Lee Construction is putting up more new homes on Highway 74 West in a 30-lot subdi- vision. Spears says the reason that more people are building homes and re- modeling present residences is due to low-interest rates. Ruby Alexander expects to con- struct two new homes at Brandonwood sub-division. She said higher materials cost has slowed the progress of the work. City codes enforcement officer Jeff Putnam said the surge of new construction in Kings Mountain in the early months of 1992 died down this summer but the city is experiencing a surge of remodeling and renovation activity. Any mechanical, electrical, plumbing and/or alterations re- quires a. city permit and business has been brisk, according to codes secretary Dottie Elkins. Construction authorized in North Carolina's largest towns and cities during the first six months of 1992 rose 9.4 percent above construction authorized in the same period of 1991, State Labor Commissioner John Brooks reported. While residential construction was also down in the City of Shelby and Cleveland County, it was up in Gaston County. Residential construction authorized in Cleveland County in June 1992 totaled $3,318,474 and in Gastonia $9,088,707. In Shelby construction costs for the six months ending 1991 were $8,727,314 compared to $4,981,682 for the six months end- ing June 1992. Estimated cost of construction in Gastonia for the six months ending 1991 was $231,012,614 compared with $32,725,774 for the six months ending June 1992. The average cost of a single family home, $87,929, rose 6.3 percent from $82,682 when com- paring the two periods. ~ Company aids Andrew victims Warlick and Hamrick Associates and The Shelby Insurance Group have jointly announced a donation of $40,000 to support Salvation Army relief efforts in southern Florida. The donation represents a spe- cial release of monies through "Homeowners with Heart," a chari- table fund to assist the homeless and hungry created by independent agents and the Shelby Insurance Group. j Shelby Insurance allocates $2 to Homeowners with Heart for each new application submitted with a photo by agents and written by the Firestone Site work is expected to begin in a week or 10 days for the new Bridgestone/Firestone plant in Kings Mountain Business Park. Mayor Scott Neisler and Firestone officials C. A. Ford and L. Knuckle signed a formal agreement Thursday authorizing removal and reinstallation of the city's six-inch natural gas line along the I-85 frontage road be- tween NC 161 and Canterbury Road to set the wheels in motion for the major piece of construction and also to assure that the new plant could in the future be also a natural gas customer of the city. Kings Mountain expects to have Whitesides-Crawford reunion scheduled union will be held Sunday, . September 13, at 1 p.m. at First ARP Church in Gastonia. Norris Howell, 14, junior winner at Bethware Community Fair, displays his prize-winning crops. Bethware Fair continues through Saturday on the grounds of Bethware School. The Whitesides Crawford T re- company. Salvation Army, a leader in the Florida relief efforts and an organization long recognized for its service programs for the needy, is the designee for Homeowners with Heart donations. The award for southern Florida relief represents an early release of funds. Larry Hamrick Jr. of Warlick and Hamrick Associates said the urgency of the situation following Hurricane Andrew _ prompted the response. "We all watched with concern as Hurricane Andrew devastated parts of southern Florida, leaving thou- sands of people homeless without site work the water and sewer lines in place and operable by next May and re- cently received a grant from Gaston County of $1,025,680 to construct the utility lines. At Thursday night's special City Council meeting, commissioners approved the relocation and rein- stallation of the gas lines with Firestone to pick up the tab. The contract stipulates that the natural gas line being removed and possibly relocated would be rein- stalled upon the occurrence of the need by Firestone for natural gas service to be provided by that line; upon the need by another natural gas customer of the city which electricity, water or telephone, and food in scarce supply. The pictures of destruction brought to us by newspapers and television are a stark reminder that homelessness takes many forms. Warlick and Hamrick Associates is proud to join with people across the country in lending assistance through Homeowners with Heart," he said. Warlick and Hamrick Associates of Kings Mountain has represented The Shelby Insurance Group since 1948. The Shelby Insurance Group, headquartered in Shelby, Ohio, offers home, auto and busi- ness insurance through a network of over 1,000 independent insur- ance agencies located in 13 states. to begin would require service from that line; or if a need shall arise in order to restore or improve pressure to provide adequate flow or natural gas for gas service being provided by the city in the area of Canterbury Road. The agreement stipulated that the city will remove the natural gas line and do the reinstallation if it should become necessary but the costs would be billed to the plant. The agreement also spells out that any natural gas needed for the operation of the facility being con- structed by Firestone at that facility shall be purchased from the city exclusively. Post Office in exhibit “The U.S. Postal Service Branch Office in Kings Mountain is fea- tured in an architectural exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. The FWA Group of Charlotte was architect for the modern build- ing which was occupied in November 1986. The featured project won AIA North Carolina Atlantic Region Free winter pilot lighting to city natural gas cystomers is available by calling 739-0333. "It's not too early to start getting ready for cooler weather," reminds Natural Gas Supt. Jimmy Maney, but appointments must be made for the cut-on service by October 1. Design Award and also the Presidential Design Award present- ed in Washington, DC. The display is part of the Museum's exhibition about archi- tecture and will be open to the pub- lic year long at 2110 Blue Ridge Road, the museum which houses the state's art collection. Museum hours are 9-5 Tuesday through Saturday, until 9 p.m. Friday and Sunday 11-6. Admission is free. KM will light pilots "With 500-600 cut-ons to be made before winter, the service calls will be made on a first-come, first-served basis," said Maney. For any service calls after the initial one, customers will be billed $5.00. Any service calls made after hours or on weekends will be billed at $10 per call. Kings Mountain Weather Report (Compiled by Kenneth Kitzmiller) Sept. 2-8 Total precipitation 1.55 Maximum one day 82 (5th) Year to date 38.66 Minimum temperature 66 (3rd, 7th) Maximum temperature 87 (8th) Average temperature 76.5 Last Year 0 0 39.73 59 (8th) 88 (6th) 73.5
The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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Sept. 10, 1992, edition 1
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