Gary Ford, current principal at Holbrook MS has been appointed by the Gaston County School board to replace retiring principal Sheri Little at South Point HS.

Ms. Little has been the principal at South Point for the past 15 years and won the Gaston County principal of the year during this tenure.

Ms. Little has been a tireless leader within an active high school program. She regularly participated in all sport activities, meets with parent groups and student groups, and has given great leadership to the staff and faculty at the high school. Her last day on the job will be June 30, but until then, she has plenty of work to complete.

The 2008 class at South Point is the largest to ever proceed to graduation with over 300 slated to receive their diplomas on Saturday, June 7.  

The thriving downtown community of Belmont, North Carolina, recent subjects of a number of Gastonia Gazette articles, hosts the summer kickoff events with Friday Night Live, the Garibaldi Festival, and the annual Belmont Home tours this weekend.

Friday Night Live! kicks off with Chairmen of the Board on Main Street downtown at 6:30 PM. With an expanded “beer garden”, a strong band following, and good weather, over 4,000 people are expected to crowd the space between the railroad tracks and Myrtle/McLeod intersection. The restaurants are ready to serve and The Shack has stocked up on ice cream.

Saturday, the Belmont Police Department hosts their annual 5K run in downtown Belmont at 8:00 AM, and the Garibaldi Festival in Stowe Park begins at 11 AM.

Sunday, the Belmont Women’s Club hosts its annual tour of homes with several new homes on this year’s tour.

Let’s hope the weather stays good, and all our neighbors remain friendly and welcoming. Oh, and HAVE FUN!