It’s hot. It’s dog-days-of-summer hot. It’s so hot that yesterday was the first day since school let out that my wife, Jillian, announced she was officially over it.

Now, before anyone sends me a calendar, let me explain what "summer" means around our house.

Summer doesn't start on June 21. Summer starts the minute the last school bell rings. That's summer vacation. The days get longer, the schedule gets looser, bedtime becomes more of a suggestion than a rule, and somehow every evening our conversation ends with, “Y'all going to the pool tomorrow?”

My wife has never met a pool she didn't like. Big pools, little pools, kiddie pools, inflatable pools. If it holds water, she's in it. As summer approaches, she practically counts down the days until she can combine sunshine, heat and chlorine.

Which is why I was surprised when she declared she'd had enough.

Then she told me she'd already seen Halloween decorations in the stores. Really? In early July?

I haven't verified that claim, but I suspect it's less about retailers and more about Jillian trying to will summer to end. Summer has barely hit its stride. We've still got another couple of months of blazing afternoons, humid evenings and complaints about how hot it is.

Before long, she'll be talking about pumpkin spice lattes with skim milk, pulling out bins of Halloween decorations and dreaming about sweater weather.

Me? I'm in no hurry.

There will be plenty of time for pumpkins and falling leaves. Right now, I like the slower pace of summer.

Long evenings. Wet towels hanging over the trampoline. A hummingbird at the feeder. Nothing much happening.

That’s my kind of summer. You can stay a little while longer.

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Gaston County has purchased 562 acres along Lake Wylie that will be permanently preserved and eventually become a public park with trails, lake access, and a connection to the Carolina Thread Trail. The former Duke Energy property is one of the region's largest remaining undeveloped tracts. [WBTV]

Carolina Caring is bringing its Brighter Days Grief Camp to Gaston County for the first time on Tuesday, August 4, at Shining Hope Farms in Mount Holly. The free camp serves children ages 5 to 16 who have experienced the death of a loved one. RSVP by July 27. ($)

We're giving away a pair of tickets to see the Gastonia Ghost Peppers take on the Lexington Legends on Saturday, July 18 at CaroMont Health Park. One lucky Hello, Gaston subscriber will win. Entries close July 12. Sign up today for your chance to win!

BC Battery Lounge on Main is coming to Downtown Gastonia at 190 W. Main Ave. The new venue will feature a mechanical bull named "Buck Norris," plus pool tables, premium cocktails, handhelds, tapas, and live entertainment. An opening date has not yet been announced.

Young anglers ages 3 to 15 can cast a line at Gaston County's free Kids Catfish Tournament on Saturday, July 11, at 8 a.m. at Dallas Park. Prizes will be awarded throughout the morning. Bring your own fishing gear and pre-register or sign up onsite with an accompanying adult.

Construction has resumed on Belmont's Food Truck Alley after unexpected delays, bringing the outdoor dining destination one step closer to opening. The project will feature six food truck spaces, shared seating, and a community gathering area designed to help local food businesses grow.

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 (7/2) — Lexington Legends @ 7 p.m.
Friday (7/3) — Charleston Dirty Birds @ 7 p.m.
Saturday (7/4) — Charleston Dirty Birds @ 5:30 p.m.
Sunday (7/5) — Charleston Dirty Birds @ 4 p.m.

Home Barista Workshop
📍 The Wandering Cup, 900 South Fork Village Dr. #G4, Belmont
📅 Wednesday, July 15
⏰ 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Learn to brew better espresso at home in this beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop. Explore coffee basics, grinder selection, espresso extraction, and milk steaming while gaining practical tips to improve every cup. Tickets are $75, and space is limited. More Details. ($) 

First Methodist Church Mt. Holly Cruise-In
📍 First Methodist Church, 140 N. Main St., Mount Holly
⏰ 5 - 8 p.m.
Check out custom cars, trucks, and more during this monthly cruise-in. Enjoy a relaxed community atmosphere, a 50/50 raffle, and fun for the whole family. More Details. 

🎆 Cherryville’s Independence Day Celebration feat. Molly Hatchet 🎆
📍 Main Street, Cherryville
⏰ 6 - 10:30 p.m.
Cherryville celebrates America’s 250th with food trucks, kids games, inflatables, downtown shopping, Southern rock legends Molly Hatchet, DJ Johnny B, and fireworks at 10 p.m. More Details.

🎆 250 Years of America 🎆
📍 Harper Park, Stanley
⏰ 6 p.m. until dark
Celebrate America's 250th anniversary with an evening of patriotic fun featuring family games, food vendors, and a fireworks display after sunset. Bring your lawn chairs, family, and friends for a community celebration. More Details.

Carolina Eucalyptus Festival
📍 Carolina Lavender & Eucalyptus Farm, Gastonia
📅 Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5
⏰times vary
Carolina Lavender & Eucalyptus Farm hosts a Fourth of July weekend festival celebrating all things eucalyptus. More Details

🎆 Friday Night Live: Red, White & Belmont 🎆
📍 Stowe Park Upper Field, Belmont
⏰ 5- 9 p.m.
Belmont’s patriotic Friday Night Live features DJ music, Too Much Sylvia, food trucks, a beverage garden, and fireworks at 9 p.m. More Details

Senior Appreciation Day & Tomato Sandwich Event
📍 Kings Mountain Farmers Market
⏰ 8 a.m. - 12p.m.
Kings Mountain Farmers Market celebrates seniors with refreshments, goodie bags, farmers market vouchers, free tomato sandwiches or BLTs while supplies last, and onsite sharpening from Shelby Sharp. More Details

Cars + Coffee
📍 Daniel Stowe Concervancy, Belmont
⏰ 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
All makes and models are welcome for this family friendly car meetup at the Garden Pavilion parking lot. More Details

17th Annual Everyone Parade
📍 Mount Holly Farmers Market
⏰ 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Celebrate the Fourth of July with decorated bikes, skateboards, strollers, wagons, scooters, and ice cream after the parade. More Details

🎆 Dallas Fourth of July Celebration & America 250 Parade 🎆
📍 Cloninger Park, Dallas
⏰ 2 - 10 p.m.
Dallas celebrates the Fourth with the America 250 parade, food trucks, live music from Next Level Band of Charlotte, and fireworks after 9 p.m. More Details

🎆 Gastonia Fourth of July Celebration 🎆
📍 Rotary Centennial Pavilion, Gastonia
⏰ 5 - 9:30 p.m.
Downtown Gastonia celebrates with food trucks, a beer garden, vendors, KidsZone, live music, and fireworks around 9:30 p.m. More Details

🎆 Revolutionary 4th 🎆
📍 Deal Park Walking Track, Kings Mountain
⏰ 6 - 9:45 p.m.
Kings Mountain hosts food trucks, inflatables, live music, a patriotic program, reenactment, and fireworks at 9:45 p.m. More Details

Veteran’s Lunch
📍 Allan Farris Community Center
⏰ 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Veterans are invited to a free lunch sponsored by Trinity Assembly of God. RSVP by calling 704-729-6465. More Details.

Exhibition on Screen: Frida Kahlo
📍 Gaston County Public Library
⏰ 6 - 8 p.m.
Gaston County Public Library and the Gaston County Museum present a free screening of Exhibition on Screen: Frida Kahlo. More Details.

Science Heroes: Digging It!
📍 Mauney Memorial Library, Kings Mountain
⏰ 10 - 11a.m.
This interactive STEM show for ages 6 to 12 explores changing states of matter, pressure, and more. Registration required. More Details

Schiele Museum Presents: Unearthing Dinosaurs
📍 Lowell Branch Library
⏰ 2 - 5 p.m.
The Schiele Museum shares the story of two dinosaurs and how they may have interacted during the Cretaceous period. More Details

Charcuterie Workshop
📍 Muddy River Distillery
⏰ 6 - 9 p.m.
Grab your friends and head to Muddy River for a hands-on charcuterie workshop. More Details

Gather in the Garden
📍 Rotary Community Garden of Gastonia
⏰6 - 7:30 p.m.
Spend an evening in the community garden with volunteers and neighbors. Help garden, enjoy a picnic supper, or simply relax and connect with others. 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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