May 5, 2005 ADDIE From 1A “It sounded so perfect (in class), how could you go wrong?” she said. Another surprise was the similarities in behavior between people here and in Africa. Moschler said she went expecting everyone to be humble and cooperative. Instead, she learned that the small village has the same politics as any other com- munity. After Moschler arrived in Mali she wrestled with lone- liness and isolation, espe- cially before she learned the language. “It was so scary. They dropped me off in the mid- dle of nowhere,” Moschler said, describing her arrival in Mali. Listening to a BBC short- wave radio broadcast about a woman working alone in Antarctica, Moschler could relate. “There is this whole net- work of culture I don't understand,” she said. Village families had lived among one another for gen- erations. Despite her apprehension, Moschler opted not to request placement in a city where she would have access to email and phones. She had come to her assign- ment convinced she could be happy and successful in any environment. Her first months in Africa challenged that. Only after accepting the unhappiness did the sit- uation turn around, Moschler said. Her host father played a big part in this by accepting her and speaking with her in French, the language they shared. The villagers are Bobo people, a minority group which still practices tradi- tional religion. They vener- ate their ancestors. Talismans of chicken blood and feathers blended with powder and spit are worn to ward off evil. The Bobo perceive illness as either punishment or the result of intentional poisoning. While in Perakuy, Moschler watched festivals which correspond to the agricultural calendar. Large masks which often had been handed down for genera- tions were used in the cere- monial dancing. In another ritual young men just initi- ated as adults danced cov- ered in leaves. One festival only happening every seven years took place during Moschler’s tenure. “It’s really cool. This is something they've been doing for thousands of years,” she said. Before attending any ritu- al, Moschler had to have the chief’s approval. Sometimes when she asked questions, villagers were surprised she didn’t know their religion and would explain. Other questions they refused to answer. Moschler’s status as a 20- something, single woman not in search of a husband made her an oddity among the villagers. They also questioned why she did not wear expensive clothes and jewelry or hire anyone to draw her water. “I don’t need that,” Moschler said. The Peace Corp worker explained to the villagers that she could not help them without understanding how they live, something which would not be possible if she clung to western privilege. Moschler describes the Maliese as “incredibly hard- working,” poor and happy. “They live rich lives,” she said. : Understanding the com- plexity and paradox of their lives left Moschler frustrated at aid agencies which force .assistance on people with- out asking. “I really saw the other side of development,” she said. Moschler was warned that she would experience reverse culture shock com- ing home. She says it hasn't happened yet, instead Moschler is enjoying seeing friends and family, speaking English, eating as much as she wants and driving a car. She believes living in another culture has helped her both see and value her own culture. “You don't appreciate things till you leave,” she said. Moschler hopes to return to Boone and work in organic agriculture, some- thing she describes as “get- ting your hands in the dirt, growing food.” HOW TO REACH US The Herald welcomes your news for publication in each Thursday’s paper. Contact us by mail at P.O. Box 769, Kings Mountain, NC 28086; drop by our office at 824-1 East King Street; call 704 739-7496, fax 704 739-0611, or e mail gstewart@kingsmountain- herald.com The Kings Mountain Herald Page 5A ANDIE L. BRYMER/HERALD Grading started last week on a Dollar General in Grover. The store will be located on Cleveland Avenue. GROVER From 1A “tremendous business.” Dollar General officials told Sides they thought Grover needed the store. There are 7,453 Dollar General stores in 30 states. Some 420 are located in North Carolina with two in Kings Mountain and three in Shelby. The first store opened in 1939 in Scottsville, Kentucky. Contact Andie Brymer at 704 739-7496 or abrymer@kingsmountain- RATES credits the city’s peak shav- ings plant for saving $40,000 in the Margrace Road area. “You've got to be proac- of Mayflower and STI along with the arrival of From 1A each month in electric pur- tive,” Murphrey said. Southeastern Container, : chases from Duke Power. The mayor is optimistic MRA, Gibson Industries and taxes. The city plans to build about the city’s economic Axle Alliance, 400 jobs have Mayor Rick Murphrey another peak shavings plant future. With the expansion come to town, he said. | REL AY orated with purple ribbons McDaniel were raffled. fire station. A 1936 fire sat in front of Resurrection ~ Decorated in a Hawaiian engine was parked nearby. From 1A Lutheran’s “A Relay motif, the “Blessing Tignor’s fire gear was dis- vivors. Kings Mountain and Frady’s florists donated pur- ple ribbons to decorate downtown light poles. Survivors took the inau- gural lap as Lou Ballew, a survivor herself, read their names. One well-known survivor, Autumn Malpass, 10, could not be at Relay. She is undergoing surgery. Creativity ruled the night as teams set up themed campsites. An inflatable snowman and white wicker Christmas tree and deer dec- CORRECTION The City of Kings Mountain has not raised gas rates since the early 1990s. Water and sewer rates have been raised on a regular basis. This informa- tion was incorrect in last week's edition of the Kings Mountain Herald. GARY From 4A when a young lad, who is now a grown Clause smells like Junior's Texaco.” Alot of kids (and grown-ups) were spoiled at Causby’s Texaco. man, sat on his lap and announced, “Santa Our sympathy goes out to Jenny and other members of the family. HEFFNER From 4A the role of North Carolina in the Civil War. A young, liberal Yankee who came south and went to work for the Greensboro Record-News, couldn't stand the thought of anyone learning anything other than the northern version of the war. He twisted facts and told outright lies about what instructors were teaching during the course, and created an untrue story which spread world-wide. Repercussions were devastating, including the death of heart attack, probably brought on by stress. Bledsoe is a remarkable writer, and I couldn’t put the'book down, although the more I read the angrier I became. The book is also a history lesson. I didn’t know, for example, that many Union officers . were slave owners right through the end of the war. Neither did I know that President Lincoln, until the publication of the Emancipation Proclamation, never referred Jack Perdue, a gentle man who died of a to the war as a war about slavery. He called it a war to preserve the union. Everybody should read “Death by Journalism?” It jast might be the most important book in the last 20 years. HENSLEY From 4A comes closer to us, we begin to go around and around the tree, always keeping the trunk - or some other kind of barrier — between God and us. not willing to give. Or he might cause us to see something about ourselves that we don't ‘want to see. Though we know that we need God in our lives, we just can’t let go of our barriers. Yet, we are living beneath our priv- ileges if we do not come down out of our trees, stop scurrying aimlessly about and place our trust in God. It's not really that we're afraid of God; it’s rather that we're not willing to trust God. We don’t want God to get too close. He might expect something from us that we're Dr. Jeff Hensley is the pastor at Kings Mountain Baptist Church. Linens and Luxuries for Less! (3 7) IES Hoopylu’s 207 1/2 N Mountain St Cherryville (Behind DB Printing) | a Mon-Fri 9am-6pm ~~ 704-435-8828 704-861-8405 - GASTON compassion and dignity when it matters most. HOSPICE Living with comfort, P.O. Box 3984 Gastonia, NC 28054 3 frm Ai 0m mn A A atte ts ad x ae AA oh oo Aunt a nth nomi, AN. Ae Christmas” site. Using a microphone Magan Suber pleaded for money to spring her and her friends from the oversized “time-out” chair they sat in at the Bethlehem Baptist site. A memorial collage of mem- bers who have died from cancer hung nearby. Two prints by the late Tim COCHRANE FURNITURE SALE By Carolina Furniture Mart! TWO BIG DAYS BELOW TT, Survivors” site sold bracelets, pencils, pens, Indian sweets, bubbles and sodas. Photos of former Kings Mountain Fire Chief Gene Tignor and Assistant Chief Charles Bud Ware, both of whom died from cancer, hung on the front wall of a campsite built to look like a Fri. May 6th & Sat. May 7th Hours: 8-6 D)[d-Te To] [3 Cochrane Case Goods Plant — Look for signs on Business 155N — Turn at old Beijing Palace Restaurant —- go approx. 1/2 mile on Cochrane Rd. Bing your truck, trailer, rope and packing FIRST COME BASIS WAREHOUSE played on a mannequin. Team captains Rusty Bridges and Jimmy Dellinger : designed the Kings Mountain Fire Department's site. Anyone interested in get- ting involved in next year’s Relay should either attend the wrap up party or call Hogue at 704-692-1086. PRICES HUGE SELECTION! — All Pieces must be picked up day of Sale — Huge Selection of Dining Sets Overstocks Showroom Samples Discontinued Styles ~ Bedroom Location Sofas, Chairs Cochrane Case Goods OT 704-732-2294 Cash, Check, MasterCard or Visa

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