Hello, Gaston! (my old friend),

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! We've entered that post-holiday haze where time feels funny, and routines fade away—a strange but not unwelcome shift.

December often feels like two months packed into one. If you’re fortunate enough to have this week off, I wish you rest and rejuvenation as we head into 2025. If you’re working, I hope you still find moments to relax and recharge.

A BIG thank you to everyone who has joined me on this journey since August. This newsletter is off to a great start, and I’m excited to see it grow in the coming year!

Ben

P.S. Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this week’s newsletter, please pass it along to someone who’s already planning to return their holiday gifts.

GASTON NTK (NEED TO KNOW)

SKILLET SOUTHERN BISTRO NOW OPEN IN CRAMERTON

Chef Casey McElwaine has transformed his Skillet 3B food truck into Skillet Southern Bistro, now open at 119 Center St. in Cramerton. Currently serving dinner with lunch service coming soon, the restaurant offers “elevated soul food” in its new brick-and-mortar home.

CRAMERTON'S HELIX R SCULPTURE FINDS NEW HOME

The Helix R Sculpture, a striking 20-foot artwork by John Rietta, is now on display on Cramer Mountain Road in Cramerton after being donated to the town. The Board of Commissioners and Staff have worked hard to find the perfect spot for this impressive piece. 

GASTON SCHOOLS RAISE $35,000 FOR HURRICANE RELIEF

Gaston County Schools collected $35,537.56 through its “Nickels for Neighbors” campaign to support seniors at Mitchell High and Mayland Early College, covering caps, gowns, and yearbooks. This record-breaking effort shows the district’s commitment to helping others recover from Hurricane Helene’s devastation.

BIG LOTS AND PARTY CITY CLOSING ALL LOCATIONS, INCLUDING GASTON COUNTY STORES

Big Lots and Party City are closing all their locations, including stores in Gaston County. Big Lots is winding down after filing for bankruptcy, while Party City ceases operations due to financial struggles. Both stores are holding "going out of business" sales, but timelines remain uncertain.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH BECOMES NEW SITE FOR COLD WEATHER SHELTER

First United Methodist Church of Gastonia will now host the Cold Weather Shelter to provide a warm place for unhoused individuals. The shelter will operate in the Family Life Center, with ongoing support from local organizations and volunteers. Donations can be made through the United Way of Gaston County.

CATCH THE STANLEY CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW BEFORE IT’S GONE!

Christmas may be over, but the magic of the Stanley Christmas Light Show is still shining bright! Featuring over 26,000 pixel lights, dazzling moving head spotlights, and festive tunes on 94.9 FM, there’s still time to soak up the holiday cheer. Catch the show nightly, weather permitting, from Redding Road.

HOLY ANGELS: MISSION IN ACTION

Holy Angels and its Cherubs Café were recently featured in SouthPark Magazine for their unique role in empowering individuals with disabilities. CEO Kerri Massey shared how the organization’s ventures, like Cherubs Café and Cotton Candy Factory, provide meaningful work and community engagement for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

THE FOUR-DAY FORECAST

GO-SEE-DO GASTON (this week)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26

Festival of Trees
📍Downtown Belmont
📆 Now through 12/30/24
⏰after dark
Stroll through a winter wonderland in downtown Belmont after dark. Admire trees glowing with joy, love, and holiday spirit. Bundle up and bring your loved ones to experience this enchanting holiday tradition that lights up the season! More Details.              

Holidays at the Garden
📍Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont
📆 Now through 12/28/24
⏰5 - 10 p.m.
Celebrate the season with twinkling lights, cozy fireside s’mores, festive treats, and unique gifts. Don’t miss new highlights: train rides, Santa visits, and an adults-only speakeasy. Capture the magic at the dazzling Orchid Tree! More Details.                 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27

Disney Stroll & Roll
📍Kate's Skating Rink in Gastonia
⏰10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Get ready for a magical morning with Disney hits! Skates, scooters, trikes, and strollers welcome. $5 admission includes skate rental, skate mates, and play gym access for little ones. More Details.                        

The Chutes at Crowders Camps
📍 Crowders Camps in Gastonia
📆 Now through 3/1/25
⏰6 - 9 p.m. (Fridays & Saturdays only)
Snowless winter tubing returns with three 200-foot lanes of excitement! Proceeds support kids' summer camp adventures. More Details.                             

Dino Nights and Holiday Lights
📍The Schiele Museum in Gastonia
⏰5 - 10 p.m.
Experience a DINOmite holiday adventure! Explore the Dino Safari: Holiday Havoc, stroll The Farm’s glowing lights, meet live animals, and enjoy a festive planetarium laser show. More Details.        

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28

Family Movie Morning featuring Muppet Christmas Carol
 📍Gaston County Public Library in Gastonia
⏰10:30 a.m.
Enjoy this beloved holiday classic with the whole family! The Muppets bring Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to life with humor and heart. Free admission. More Details.                      

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29

Carolina Panthers (4-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
 📍Away
 ⏰1 p.m. (CBS)
The Carolina Panthers head to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers in a Week 17 matchup. With the Bucs fighting to stay in the NFC South title race, the 4-11 Panthers look to play spoiler.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

Assorted New Year's Eve Parties
📍locations vary
⏰times vary
Ring in the New Year at top Gaston County spots! Celebrate at CityCade, The Rooster, Gaston Pour House, Jekyll and Hyde, Cavendish, and more.

Noon Year's Eve Party
📍The Schiele Museum in Gastonia
⏰11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve early with global traditions and a countdown to “midnight” at 12 p.m.! Included with museum admission. More Details.                       

Noon Year's Eve Party in the Park
📍North Pole Park in McAdenville
⏰11 a.m. - 1p.m.
Celebrate with a festive countdown at noon, a bubble freeze dance party, crafts, and more! Don your best winter outfit for a chance to win prizes. Warm up in igloos, enjoy treats, and capture family memories. More Details.                       

2024 Apple Drop
📍Downtown Lincolnton
⏰5 - 8 p.m.
Celebrate Lincolnton’s heritage with the Apple Drop at 7 p.m. (to coincide with midnight GMT)! Enjoy family-friendly fun, live music, games, food, and the Blessing of the City with Cherryville Traditional Shooters at 6:30 p.m. More Details.            

Cherryville Traditional New Years Shooters Celebration
📍Downtown Cherryville
⏰10:30 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Ring in the new year with Cherryville’s historic musket-firing tradition! Celebrate like the pioneers with live music, food trucks, and a bang as muskets echo through town to drive away bad spirits. Family-friendly and free to attend. More Details.                          

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1

First Day Hike
 📍CCC Bathhouse Trailhead, Kings Mountain State Park
⏰10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Start the year strong with a ranger-led 5.6-mile hike from Kings Mountain State Park to Crowders Mountain! Ages 10+. Bring water, snacks, and hiking gear. Shuttle service available. More Details.      

PLAN AHEAD

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth
📍Spectrum Center in Charlotte
📆 1/17/25
⏰7 p.m.
Families of all ages are invited to witness superhuman feats, daring acts, and never-before-seen performances in an immersive, 360-degree environment. Experience jaw-dropping highwire stunts, trapeze acts, extreme bicycle trampolines, and much more. 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.

#GASTONGRAM

Check out the #GastonGram honorable mentions this week here and here. 

SEE YA LATER, GASTON!

And thank you for reading! If you found something useful, please share it with a friend! 

Was this email forwarded to you? Signup here!

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