A Small Guide for Heavy Times

I’m tired. 

Not sleepy-tired. Although, truth be told, I woke up at 4:45 a.m. to write this. So there may be a little sleepy-tired that creeps its way in here, but the coffee will surely remedy that.

Maybe I’m more exhausted. After all, I read the news today, oh boy. And all the commentary that followed.

If you want the full 360 degrees of thought and opinion, go log into your social media apps. It’s all there. You won’t find it here.

No, maybe exhausted isn’t the word. I think I’m just weary.

Yeah, that’s the word. We are living in weary times. And in the words of Marty McFly, that can be heavy. (And it has nothing to do with the Earth's gravitational pull.)

Weary may be where we are today. And quite possibly tomorrow. But there are things you can do. Right now. Or at least today.

First things first - put your phone down. Get out of the house. Take in some fresh air. 

Walk the dog. Speak to a neighbor. Buy coffee for the person behind you. Turn the music on. Crank it up if you can. Dance if you feel the need. 

And most importantly, just be kind.

John Prine offered good counsel back in 1971 when he released his song, “Spanish Pipedream”:

Blow up your TV, throw away your paper
Go to the country, build you a home
Plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches
Try and find Jesus on your own

We may not be moving to the country today, but we can take the hint. Less noise. More presence. More simple, local joy. And if nothing else, there are still peaches at the farmers market.

I want to extend a big Hello, Gaston! welcome to our newest partner, Simply American Dog Treat Company. You’ll spot owner Amy Bossard and her team around the county (and beyond) with great treats for your four-legged good boys and girls. We appreciate their support of the newsletter!

Thank you for reading! Please share with your friends and neighbors!

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SIMPLY AMERICAN DOG TREAT COMPANY

✨YOUR PUPS WILL SIT, STAY & BEG FOR THESE TREATS✨

Meet the Simply American Dog Treat Company – North Carolina's only dog treat truck based right here in Belmont featuring:

• Single Ingredient Perfection – Locally sourced and made treats from pure meat, fish, or sweet potatoes with no fillers

• Convenience That Comes to You – Follow @simplyamericandog for mobile locations or get free local delivery online

• Premium Quality Promise – Wholesome treats your pets will love, made with care by your local neighbors who understand pet parents

Ready to spoil your furry family with 15% savings? SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER & SAVE → 

GASTON NTK (NEED TO KNOW)

🔥 SMOKE PIT GETS YOUTUBE LOVE

Food vlogger Out to Eat with Matt dropped a video review of Gastonia’s Smoke Pit, spotlighting the brisket, burnt ends, and massive portions that make this Texas-style barbecue joint stand out in North Carolina. He praised the flavor, sides, and value, calling it a spot worth repeat visits. Watch the full review on his channel.

📚 NEW STORYWALK OPENS IN CRAMERTON

Cramerton’s River Link Greenway now features a Storywalk thanks to the Cramerton Community Committee and Gaston Association of REALTORS®. Sixteen stations encourage reading, movement, and fun, with bilingual books rotating regularly. Connected to Goat Island Greenway and Park, it’s a perfect family outing.

🐾 COOL BEANS CAT CAFÉ SPOTLIGHTED

Laresa Thompson’s Gastonia City Sights shines on Cool Beans Cat Café, a downtown spot mixing lattes with love. Enjoy coffee, cuddles, and support adoptable cats in a cozy hangout. Located at 176 S. Chester Street, it’s the purrrfect community gem.

🎙️ PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS SPENCER MOUNTAIN TRAIL PROJECT

The Savvy Citizen podcast features Ashton Lamb (Carolina Thread Trail) and Erin Hines (Gaston County) discussing new grants for the Spencer Mountain Trail. They highlight trail design, historic signage, and invite community feedback through a survey.

🎟️ CAROLINA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL TICKET GIVEAWAY

Charlotte on the Cheap is giving away eight ticket vouchers to the Carolina Renaissance Festival. The deadline to enter is September 17, 2025. The festival runs Saturdays and Sundays, October 4–November 23, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., on a 250-acre site north of Charlotte. 

🏦 FIFTH THIRD BANK OPENS NEW BELMONT BRANCH

Fifth Third Bank will open a full-service branch at 975 South Point Road in Belmont, bringing its next generation design to town. Expect flexible meeting areas, a digital technology wall with interactive displays, and concierge service. The location will be staffed by four employees and offers consumer and business services.

📰  QUICK BITES

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

THE FOUR-DAY FORECAST

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FARMHOUSER DESIGN

✨YOUR BRAND, YOUR STORY — DESIGNED WITH PURPOSE✨

Introducing Leslie Boyd of Farmhouser Design — helping small businesses, nonprofits, and churches cut through the noise with timeless branding. Why choose Farmhouser Design?

• Clarity & Confidence — Leslie creates brand identities that look beautiful and communicate your mission clearly.

• Proven Experience — With 20+ years of expertise, she balances creativity and strategy on every project.

• Community-Focused — A Gaston County native, she understands local businesses and creates solutions that resonate.

Feel confident in your brand. Ready to start? CONNECT WITH LESLIE TODAY →

GO-SEE-DO GASTON (this week)

PLAN AHEAD

Rhino Run for Education
📍 Gaston College, 201 Hwy 321 S, Dallas
📅 Saturday, September 27
⏰ 7 – 11 a.m.
Join the 2K or 5K Rhino Run at Gaston College to support athletics and Gaston and Lincoln County schools. Enjoy WSGE DJs, coffee, donuts, food trucks, and more. $40 entry. More Details. ($)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11  

Belmont Farmers Market
📍 Glenway Street, Belmont
⏰ 4–7 p.m.
Fresh produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more from local Belmont farmers and artisans. Community-focused market with small-town charm. More Details.

Gastonia Farmers Market
📍 410 E. Long Avenue, Gastonia
⏰ 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Locally sourced fresh produce, meats from nearby farms, homemade baked goods, and flowers grown locally. More Details.

9/11 Remembrance Event
📍 Downtown Dallas, NC
⏰ 6:30 p.m.
Community remembrance ceremony honoring lives lost on September 11. Gather with neighbors for reflection, unity, and patriotic tributes. More Details.

9/11 “We Will Remember” Memorial Service
📍 132 W Virginia Ave, Bessemer City
⏰ 8:30–11:30 a.m.
Community memorial honoring lives lost on September 11 with remarks, reflection, and unity at City Hall. Bring family, friends, and neighbors to remember together. More Details.

Ribbon Cutting for Beth Gatlin Music
📍 The Rooster, Gastonia
⏰ 6–9 p.m.
Celebrate Beth Gatlin Music’s ribbon cutting with a 6:45 p.m. ceremony, live tunes, photos, and meet-and-greet moments. Join friends and fans to mark the occasion. More Details.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Friday Night Football (High School)
📍 Various locations
⏰ Evening games
- Anson County at Hunter Huss
- Bessemer City at Stuart Cramer
- Cherryville at Highland Tech
- Forestview at Lake Norman Charter
- Kings Mountain at Charlotte Catholic
- Marvin Ridge at Ashbrook
- Mount Pleasant at South Point
- North Gaston at South Caldwell

Mount Holly Nights – Buffett & Beyond
📍 131 S Main St, Mount Holly
⏰ 6–10 p.m.
Downtown Mount Holly comes alive with a Jimmy Buffett tribute, local vendors, food, and family fun. Bring chairs, stroll Main Street, and enjoy the Friday vibe. More Details.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Seed Saving
📍 Gaston County Public Library, Gastonia
⏰ 11 a.m.
Learn how to save seeds from your garden in this beginner-friendly educational workshop for growers and families. More Details.

Summer Concert & Cruise-In
📍 Dallas Historic Courthouse, Dallas
⏰ 7–10 p.m.
Classic cars line Main Street while local favorite Daniel Jeffers headlines a free outdoor concert. Food trucks and sweet treats round out the night. More Details.

Gastonia Farmers Market
📍 410 E. Long Avenue, Gastonia
⏰ 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Locally sourced fresh produce, meats from nearby farms, homemade baked goods, and flowers grown locally. More Details.

Kings Mountain Farmers’ Market
📍 313 South Battleground Ave, Kings Mountain
⏰ 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Vibrant farmers market featuring produce, baked goods, and crafts from local vendors in downtown Kings Mountain. More Details.

Mount Holly Farmers Market
📍 226 S. Main St, Mount Holly
⏰ 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Market with fresh produce, artisan products, and flowers. Celebrate Mount Holly’s farm-to-table community each Saturday morning. More Details.

Community Yard Sale
📍 Harold Rankin Park, Lowell
⏰ 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Open community yard sale with pre-registration. Hunt bargains, meet neighbors, and support city programming. Sellers pay $5 cash per spot; browsing and attending are free. More Details.

Hoyle Historic Homestead - Open House
📍 1214 Dallas-Stanley Hwy, Dallas
⏰ 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Annual open house with music, crafts, demonstrations, food truck, and historic tours at Hoyle Historic Homestead. Family-friendly and free to the public. More Details.

Low Country Love – A Low Country Boil for Childhood Cancer
📍 2311 South Point Rd, Belmont
⏰ 4–8 p.m.
Dinner, live music, and games supporting Strong Like AK during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Proceeds help families facing pediatric cancer. Tickets required; donations encouraged. More Details.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Belmont Farmers Market (Monthly)
📍 Stowe Park, Belmont
⏰ 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Second-Sunday farmers market with local produce, baked goods, and artisan crafts. A monthly tradition for Belmont residents. More Details.

Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals
📍 State Farm Stadium, Glendale
⏰ 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
Week two heads west to face the Cardinals in Arizona.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Gastonia Farmers Market
📍 410 E. Long Avenue, Gastonia
⏰ 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Fresh produce, meats, baked goods, and flowers from local Gaston County farms and vendors. More Details.

Veterans Coffee Connection
📍 Outback Steakhouse, Gastonia
⏰ 8:30 a.m.
Veterans gather for coffee, camaraderie, and conversation. Sponsored by Carolina Caring with community support and outreach resources. More Details. ($)

PWA Social: Strong Like AK
📍 116 Horsley Ave, Belmont
⏰ 5–7 p.m.
Network with the Professional Women’s Association while supporting Strong Like AK. Bring wish-list donations and connect with leaders championing families during pediatric cancer journeys. More Details.

Gastonia Ghost Peppers vs Hagerstown Flying BoxCars
📍 800 W Franklin Blvd, Gastonia
⏰ 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Hockey meets baseball with Charlotte Checkers mascots, jersey raffle, and slapshot contest during crucial late-season tilt. 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.

#GASTONGRAM

SEE YA LATER, GASTON!

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

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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!