In September, 1969, the Lowell Women’s Club celebrated the 50th anniversary of its organization. The first President of the group, Mrs. Coit Robinson, was there to mark the event, along with two other original members, Mrs. Paul Murphy and Miss Myrtle Titman.

The group had begun life as the Lowell Betterment Association in July, 1919, assisted by member from the Gastonia Woman’s Club. Prior to the organization of the PTA in local schools, the club concentrated on projects in those areas, including playground equipment, first aid supplies, library donations and even landscaping and beautification of the school grounds. 21 men were also members of the early group The Lowell Women’s Club organized Girl Scout and Brownie troops, landscaping of the town square and post office and clean-up events. In 1943, the group promoted and set in motion Bible studies in the Lowell school system. By the fall of 1952, the treasury had grown to a point where a building could be purchased for use as a clubhouse. In 1960, the group sponsored the opening of the Lowell Public Library.
However, by the time of the 50th anniversary, the club was meeting only 3 times a year. Even the then President, Mrs. Russell Stepp, declined using that title, since “her office position takes up a great deal of her time”. And the club gradually faded away.

Early in 2005, Judy Horne, currently Mayor of Lowell and Martha A. Burris, who serves on the City Council, put out a call to interested residents to revive the organization. Meetings were held at the “teacherage” (the Lowell Community Center) on First Street for women who live in, work in, or are interested in the Lowell Community. Attendees voted to move forward, creating by-laws, a list of projects and interest groups.

The LWC received its 501 (c) 3 , non for profit status after it’s re-birth in 2005.  Since then the club has raised money and completed many community projects involving local schools, the community food bank, blood drives, and esthetics for the Community Center.  They have participated in Gaston County Community Foundation’s Run For The Money each year since 2005 and have formed alliances with other local women’s clubs to share ideas and collaborated on projects. Their big fund raisers are the Freedom Festival Pageant and the Lowell Freedom Festival, but do smaller fundraising projects throughout the club year which is August through May.  

Lowell Women's club

For more information,  visit their website:
http://lowellwomensclub.wetpaint.com/  or call for more information,  Tilda Jones 704-472-0230

 

 Darryl Warren

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http://www.milliondollardoginc.com/

for a complete description of their services.

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  How Shaggin great bands is the secret to Belmont NC’s Friday Night Live.

Belmont’s Friday Night Live has quickly become THE place for beach music bands to perform.  According to Ken Knox of the band “Chairmen of the Board,” Belmont’s Fridayt Night Live is now the largest continuos summer beach music festival in the country.  Routinely drawing 8,000-15,000 thousand fans, it features such legendary bands such as The Embers, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, and the NC Music Hall of Fame inductees “General Johnson and the Chairmen of the Board.”

What is “Shag music” you ask?  Well, the basic dance step is most suited to Rhythm & Blues music, but “Shag” is really a style of swing dancing.  It’s become a way of life for people all along the east coast.  Some even refer to it as a “religion.” Say amen, brother and grab your partner for some true southern fun

Shag is described as a Southern tradition of style and grace…a dance craze phenomenon invented decades ago by local teens in the Carolinas.

Shag dancing seems to transcend age and brings together all kinds of enthusiasts seeking to perfect its laid-back, seemingly effortless moves. In fact, it’s become so much a part of the culture; it’s been declared the official dance of the Carolinas!  A close cousin of the 1930s craze called the Big Apple, the shag has been the subject of a movie, books, and countless magazine and newspapers articles. And although the jazz sounds of the 1930s helped to create the acrobatic Big Apple, the laid back Carolina “Southerners” slowed it down and smoothed it out a bit.  Much more than a dance, the shag is also a feeling of friendship, and of sand, salt, and surf combined with smoothly worn hardwood floors. It’s become a way of life set to rhythm and blues and an opportunity to re-live youth, lost or not!

The name, Carolina Shag originated in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the 1930′s, when back then, the dance was a mix of the Charleston and Collegiate shuffle with some of the original basic steps being called the: Cuban Step, Shuffle, Twinkle etc. Some claim the Carolina shag as pre-existing the Lindy Hop; due to some music title’s having the Shag in its name or description, however they are confusing the “Collegiate Shag” with the current Carolina version. The actual Carolina Shag soon became known as “Beach Swing” and was done to “Beach Music”, which was basically old Motown, Blues and oldies music today. The Shag, however, is done primarily in the Southern States such as Florida, the Carolina’s, Virginia, Georgia, etc. and has a very smooth, connected feel with your partner and the music.

Most agree that the modern form of the “Shag” was first danced in the Myrtle Beach area.  (Some say from the old Pavilion.) It gained popularity in the mid 1940s, when the R&B bands were playing the beaches and the clubs. The music slowed down considerably and the dancers, the music and the times changed the dance up to reflect its current look and feel.  Dancing on the beach (literally) helped change the dance, too, and that’s where the nickname, “Beach Music” originated. Today, West Coast Swing and Shag are starting to merge the best qualities of each of the two together and forming a newer style called SWAG. It’s pretty cool; however, the Carolina shag will always be a mainstay in the Shag dance community.

Today, the “Shag” consists mainly of fancy footwork by the leader, with the follower matching the leader’s footwork occasionally. In the past, it was the lady who called out the footwork she wanted to “mirror.” The follower occasionally will call out a name of footwork or a sequence and the man will lead it with her. Choreography usually is not done socially or competitively but that seems to be changing. There are a few patterns of the Carolina Shag; however an immense amount of “footwork” can be seen in each move. True seasoned “Shaggers” take pride in adopting their own versions of the dance, each being distinctive and effortless. Using the balls of their feet and small steps, “Shaggers” manage to perform this very “cool” style of dance to individual perfection.

As “Shag” has evolved, so has the music. Now “Shaggers” enjoy performing their magic to everything from gospel to music from the 40’s big band era, known in the Carolina’s as “groove bands.” This has become much larger in nature with Shag Clubs popping up everywhere. Most of the clubs are members of the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs and there are more and more major events such as the Grand Nationals in Atlanta where thousands of “Shaggers” can show their stuff and compete against the best in the country. “Shag” has even spread internationally to London, Ontario, where it is a favorite for many.

“Shag” has become such a way of life to so many people, it’s hard to imagine a time before “Beach Music.”  Be sure to plan a trip to downtown Belmont to see some expert “shaggers” at work during the Belmont Merchants Friday Night Live!

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Below is the schedule for the 2010 season.

• May 21 – Billy Scott and the Party Prophets
• June 4 – Rough Draft
• June 18 – The Embers
• July 2 – Maurice and Zodiacs (plus fireworks to celebrate July 4th)
• July 16 – Jim Quick and the Coastline Band
• July  30 – The Tams
• August 13 – Coming Up Brass
• August 27 – Band Of Oz
• September 10 – General Johnson & The Chairmen of The Board

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The Catawba River Bluegrass Association will have a bluegrass jam session at Arbor Day. Come here live local bluegrass musicians while learning about trees.

Keep Belmont Beautiful has donated a tree to be planted in Stowe Park. We will demonstrate the proper way to plant at tree during the Arbor Day event.

The City will receive its second annual Tree City USA award at the event. This event is free and open to the public. Please join us for this fun, family-friendly event.

Local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will place tree identification signs on the trees in Stowe Park as a service project. The signs were purchased through a grant from the NC Division of Forestry.

• 9:00 am Welcome by Mayor Boyce
• 9:15 am Tree Identification Project by Scouts
• 9:30 am Tree Pruning Discussion
• 10:00 am Tree Planting
• 10:30 am Native Tree and Invasive Species Discussion
• 11:00 am Tree City USA and Poster Contest Award Presentations
• 11:30 am Fire Safety Discussion

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173 W. Main Ave
Gastonia, NC, 28052
704-671-4PUB (4782)

Hours:
Mon – Thurs:  11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Fri:  11:00 am – 2:00 am
Sat:  5:00 pm – 2:00 am

Website: www.FreemansPub.com

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ICONz Bar is all about a great time! Starting with the best live music G-Vegas has to offer every Friday & Saturday nights starting around 9:30 pm. Click the “Calender of Events” link for bands, events, dates and times. We also offer great beer & drink specials, a fun, friendly staff and alot of entertainment. So come on in and visit ICONz for a great time!

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE
Friday & Saturday Nights • Full Calender Available Here

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Website: http://www.sammysbelmont.com
Facebook Fan Page

Hours
Monday – Thursday:  11:00 am – 12:00 am
Friday – Saturday:  11:00 am – 2:00 am
Sunday:  11:00 am – 12:00 am

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE

Live music performances seem to be few and far between. I would suggest checking their website or facebook page to see if they are having any shows.

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DJ from 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Live Music with Coming Up Brass starting at 10:00pm
Fireworks at Midnight

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Phone: (704) 829-7711
Website: http://www.caravancoffeebar.com
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Belmont-NC/The-Caravan/

Hours:
Monday: 7:00am – 9:00pm
Tuesday: 7:00am – 9:00pm
Wednesday: 7:00am – 9:00pm
Thursday: 7:00am – 10:00pm
Friday: 7:00am – 10:00pm
Saturday: 7:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE
Impromptu Jams and evening performances. Check facebook fan page to stay updated

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