I am one week shy of celebrating the two-year anniversary of Hello Gaston!

It has been almost two years since I planted my flag in the ground and laid out the welcome mat for this little experiment.

And look how we’ve grown!

We are walking and talking, all the things most toddlers are doing by the time they turn two. We are still figuring things out and flying by the seat of our pants, but milestones like this make you stop and reflect on the journey and how you even got here.

My friend Dan Freeman, host of The Executive Thought Partner Podcast, nudged me into doing some of that reflecting when he invited me to be a guest last month.

I am glad he did.

Our conversation helped clarify my thinking, my reasons for starting Hello Gaston, and why I have returned to it week after week for the past 103 weeks.

Normally, I have no desire to listen to an interview after I record it. Like most people, I am my own worst critic. But this time, I was curious to hear how my answers held up a few weeks later.

They did.

Dan asked great questions that helped me put into words why I do this and why I keep coming back.

If you enjoy podcasts, or you are simply curious about how and why the sausage gets made each week, I encourage you to give it a listen.

At one point, Dan asked me what makes Gaston County so great.

The answer is simple: the people who live here and the stories they carry with them.

I am sure there are plenty of other great places to live, and I admit that I am biased. But Gaston County is filled with people worth knowing and stories worth telling. It is also filled with readers like you who want to discover and celebrate this place alongside me.

Thank you for coming along for the ride. I cannot wait to see what Year 3 has in store.

Maybe we’ll even get potty trained.

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Black Sheep Coffee and Cleary’s Bookstore celebrate their shared Downtown Mount Holly storefront this Saturday, Aug. 22, with giveaways, hidden gift cards, seasonal drinks and affogatos featuring Seemingly Overzealous ice cream. Black Sheep opens 8 a.m.–2 p.m with  Cleary’s staying open until 6 p.m.

Woodson’s Toys will open August 28, bringing a new place for families to browse, discover toys and share stories. The shop hopes to become more than a shopping destination by building connections with families throughout the Belmont community.

WSGE 91.7 is giving away a pair of three-day passes to the Earl Scruggs Music Festival, Sept. 4–6 at Tryon International in Mill Spring. The lineup includes The Avett Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass and Béla Fleck. Enter here before midnight tomorrow!

HopeFEST 2026 is seeking volunteers and vendors for its Sept. 12 event at First United Methodist Church in Gastonia. The free gathering will provide food, activities and resources, with an emphasis on supporting individuals and families facing housing challenges.

Faded Cuts and Shaves owner Molly Prescott earned a Guinness World Record after completing five consecutive skin fade haircuts in 11 minutes, 54 seconds at CaroMont Health Park. The Gastonia stylist shattered the previous record by three minutes. [Queen City News]

Disclaimer: News items marked with ($) in this section indicate sponsored content.

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Belmont Farmers Market — Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Dallas Farmers Market — Select Sundays, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Gastonia Farmers Market — Tuesday, Thursdays & Saturday, 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 
Kings Mountain Farmers Market — Saturday, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Mount Holly Farmers Market — Saturday, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

Thursday (8/20) — Charleston Dirty Birds @ 7 p.m.
Friday (8/21) - Charleston Dirty Birds @ 7 p.m.
Saturday (8/22) - Charleston Dirty Birds @ 7 p.m.
Sunday (8/23) - Charleston Dirty Birds @ 1 p.m.

Friday (8/21) - at Jacksonville Jaguars (7:30 p.m.)

Crafted with Carolina Caring
📍 Muddy River Distillery, 250 N. Main St., Mount Holly
📅 Thursday, August 27
⏰ 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a guided rum flight, paired small bites and an exclusive behind-the-scenes distillery tour supporting Carolina Caring. Tickets are $45, and proceeds help local patients and families. More Details. ($)

Gardening Seminar: Selecting Healthy Plants
📍 Citizens Resource Center, Dallas
⏰ 10-11 a.m.
Retired horticulture agent Paul Thompson shares what to look for when buying healthy plants to ensure long-term success in the landscape. More Details.

Christian Music Night
📍 Kate’s Skating Rink, Gastonia
⏰ 5–8 p.m.
Families can enjoy contemporary Christian music and skating, with admission, skate rentals and a family package featuring pizza and drinks available. More Details.

Charcuterie Workshop
📍 Dallas Tavern, Dallas
⏰ 6–9 p.m.
Gather your friends for an evening at Dallas Tavern learning how to arrange an eye-catching charcuterie board. Advance tickets are required. More Details.

Live Music with Jade Moore
📍 Pita Wheel, 55 Glenway St., Belmont
⏰ 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Spend Thursday evening in downtown Belmont as local musician Jade Moore performs live for guests at Pita Wheel’s Belmont location. More Details.

Thursday Night (High School) Football
- North Stokes at Cherryville (7 p.m.)

Friday Night Football
📍 various locations
⏰7 p.m.
- Stuart W. Cramer at Forestview
- North Gaston at East Gaston
- Hickory at South Point
- West Mecklenburg at Ashbrook
- T.C. Roberson at Hunter Huss
- Shelby at Kings Mountain
- Pine Lake Prep at Bessemer City
- Highland Tech at Langtree Charter Academy

Ranlo’s August Milltown Night
📍 Ranlo Park, Ranlo
⏰ 5–9 p.m.
Ranlo’s free Back to School Bash features school supplies for students, food and craft vendors, family activities and community fun. More Details.

Carrie Ann Live
📍 Local Logic, Mount Holly
⏰ 7–10 p.m.
Local musician Carrie Ann brings an evening of live music to Local Logic in downtown Mount Holly for guests to enjoy. More Details.

Clear the Shelters
📍 Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement, 1491 Business Park Court, Gastonia
⏰ 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Gaston County’s biggest adoption event of the year features free pet adoptions, food trucks, vendors and animals searching for loving homes. More Details.

Underground Gardening
📍 Gaston County Public Library, Gastonia
⏰ 11 a.m.–noon
Learn about tubers, bulbs, corms and other plants that can be planted now for future flowers or harvests during this all-ages program. More Details.

NC BeachBlast Festival
📍 Patriots Park, 220 S. Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain
⏰ Noon–9 p.m.
This free festival features beach music, food, rides, inflatables, contests, children’s activities and a special celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. More Details.

Beth Gatlin Live
📍 Tannin Wine House, 113 Center St., Cramerton
⏰ 7–8 p.m.
Singer and musician Beth Gatlin performs a live acoustic set during an intimate Saturday evening show at Tannin Wine House in Cramerton. More Details.

Castle Faire
📍 Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont
⏰ 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Celebrate the Prairie Castle’s first anniversary with Renaissance costumes, crafts, storytimes, roaming performers, food trucks and medieval-themed family activities throughout the gardens. More Details.

Disclaimer: Event details are subject to change or cancellation. Please check with the event organizers for the most up-to-date information. We are not responsible for any changes after publication. Events marked with ($) in this section indicate sponsored content.

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Was there something I missed this week? Let me know at [email protected]. Want to get your business in Hello, Gaston!? Let’s talk!