At least once a week, my daughter Amelia comes running inside, screaming about a bug she saw outside.

I tell her, “Welcome to the season of bees, bugs, and snakes.”

My wife made the second lawn cut of the season last night and killed two copperheads. They were camped out under the splash block.

I told her, “Welcome to the season of bees, bugs, and snakes.”

It’s that time of year. Everything is fully awake. Carpenter bees are hovering near the old wood sheds. Ground bees are leaving those little dirt mounds across the yard. And at least once a week, I’m escorting some confused flying insect back out the front door.

With two kids opening and slowly closing doors, it’s bound to happen.

I was one of those kids who had an unhealthy fear of anything that could sting. The truth is, most of them will leave you alone if you leave them alone.

Unless we’re talking yellow jackets, wasps, or hornets. Then all bets are off.

This nice stretch of weather we’ve been enjoying comes with a tradeoff. More time outside. More life moving around. Some of it welcome, some of it not.

But that’s spring around here in Gaston County. It’s glorious, right?

Just be careful where you step. And maybe check under the splash block while you’re at it.

Congrats to Karen Dilz, the winner of a pair of tickets to Opening Night at CaroMont Health Park, where the Gastonia Ghost Peppers take on the High Point Rockers. Stay tuned. We’ll be giving away tickets all season long.

And as always, thank YOU for reading! Please share with your friends and neighbors!

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The Gastonia Ghost Peppers host their home opener Friday at CaroMont Health Park, part of a three-game series against the High Point Rockers. Gastonia will also host a July 4 game for a second straight year. Hello, Gaston has partnered with the Ghost Peppers this season and will be giving away tickets all season long!

Blackwood’s Drive-In was recently featured on the Small Town USA Facebook page. Serving curbside favorites since the 1960s, this mom-and-pop spot is known for its Lottaburger, Cherry Lemon Sun Drop, and old-school service that keeps locals loyal and road-trippers stopping by. 

Nature’s Palette, on display through May 9 at Bliss Gallery in Belmont, showcases En Plein Air works from the Gaston County Art Guild. Featuring Holy Angels artists, the exhibit highlights outdoor painting styles that capture light, movement, and nature in real time. 

Super Chix opens today in Gastonia, bringing a menu of chicken sandwiches, fresh salads, hand-cut fries, and frozen custard desserts. You’ll find it on East Franklin Boulevard in the same shopping area as Viva Chicken near Hobby Lobby, adding another fast-casual dining option to the area.

The Gaston Business Association’s Small Business Expo returns for its third year on Wednesday, May 6, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Gastonia Conference Center. The free event connects residents with local businesses, services, and entrepreneurs from across Gaston County in one place.

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 — 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.

Friday (4/24) — High Point Rockers @ 7 p.m.
Saturday (4/25) — High Point Rockers @ 7 p.m.
Sunday (4/26) — High Point Rockers @ 1 p.m.

6th Annual Take A Swing at Pediatric Cancer Golf Tournament
📍 Cramer Mountain Club, 101 Hidden Pastures Dr., Cramerton
📅 Monday, May 4
⏰ 7:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. shotgun start
Join a 4-person captain’s choice tournament supporting Strong Like AK programs, providing housing, financial help, and comfort experiences for families facing childhood cancer. More Details.

Gaston Business Association - Small Business Expo
📍 Gastonia Conference Center, 145 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Gastonia
📅 Wednesday, May 6
⏰ 3–6 p.m.
Connect with local businesses, explore services, and meet entrepreneurs at this free community expo hosted by Gaston Business Association. Vendors range from established companies to rising startups. More Details.

Major League Baseball presents Pitch, Hit & Run
📍 1303 Dallas-Cherryville Hwy., Dallas
⏰ 6–9 p.m.
Boys and girls can test baseball and softball skills in this free MLB Pitch, Hit & Run event with age-based divisions and advancement opportunities. More Details.

Thursday Social Paddle
📍 170 Lake Mist Drive, Belmont
⏰ 6:15–9 p.m.
This adult night out includes social paddling, optional SUP yoga or fitness moves, and post-paddle hang time, with RSVP required for weekly launch details. More Details.

2026 Gastonia Concert Series feat. Funky Monks
📍 CaroMont Health Park, Gastonia
⏰ 7–10 p.m.
Kick off the Gastonia Concert Series with this free Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute show, plus concessions, a lively crowd, and support for local nonprofits. More Details.

Belmont Sip & Speak Poetry Crawl
📍 Downtown Belmont
⏰ 5–7 p.m.
Stroll downtown Belmont for an evening of poetry readings, acoustic music, and live painting hosted inside local shops and restaurants before Saturday’s Garibaldi Festival. More Details.

Cherry Blossom Festival
📍 220 E. Main St., Cherryville
📅 Friday, April 24 - Saturday, April 25
⏰ times vary
Cherryville’s annual spring festival returns with live entertainment, vendors, games, food, a car show, and the new Cherry JAM singing competition. More Details.

Friday Night Live Music featuring David Childers and The Serpents
📍 Confluence, 117 Center St., Cramerton
⏰ 7–9 p.m.
Enjoy live music, craft drinks, and a laid-back Friday night at Confluence while supporting the Catawba Riverkeeper in downtown Cramerton. More Details.

Kings Mountain Farmers Market - Season Grand Opening
📍 313 S. Battleground Ave., Kings Mountain
⏰ 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Kick off the Kings Mountain Farmers Market season with giveaways, free plants, kids activities, pollinator education, and a painted butterfly release. More Details.

Least of These Carolinas presents the Worthy Finds Thrift Sale
📍 1000 S. Myrtle School Road, Gastonia
⏰ 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Shop a curated thrift sale benefiting children in foster and kinship care, with proceeds going directly toward support for local kids. More Details.

BEEtopia
📍 Gastonia Farmers Market, Gastonia
⏰ 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
This family-friendly Keep Gastonia Beautiful event helps educate and entertain residents around the importance of pollinators, plants, and a healthier local environment. More Details.

Merry Market
📍 The Grand Hall, Mount Holly
⏰ 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Browse more than 50 local artisans and small businesses at this large indoor vendor market filled with shopping and handmade finds. More Details.

Parks Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Gastonia presents the 2nd Annual Adoption Event
📍 2339 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia
⏰ 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Meet adoptable dogs, browse local vendors, and grab tacos during this community pet adoption event hosted with local rescue and animal care partners. More Details.

Living History Day
📍 40 Catawba St., Belmont
⏰ 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Explore military displays, demonstrations, food, coffee, and family activities during this expanded Living History Day celebration in Belmont. More Details.

Dallas Food & Brews Festival
📍 305 W. Church St., Dallas
⏰ 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Downtown Dallas hosts a full day of food trucks, drinks, shopping, live music, kids activities, and local vendors during this free street festival. More Details.

Garibaldi Festival
📍 Stowe Park, Belmont
⏰ 12–7 p.m.
Celebrate art, music, history, and community in downtown Belmont with artisan vendors, plein air art, tours, food, and live performances all day. More Details.

Flat Rock Cemetery Confederate Memorial Service
📍 505 Flat Rock Cemetery Road, Mount Holly
⏰ 1–4 p.m.
This annual memorial service honors veterans buried at Flat Rock and Old Hebron Baptist Church cemeteries, with a speaker and honor guard salute. More Details.

Ride-A-Bike Season Kick-Off Ice-Cream Ride
📍 140 E. Main Ave., Gastonia
⏰ 3–6 p.m.
Ride-A-Bike’s casual nine-mile neighborhood ride starts in Downtown Gastonia and ends with ice cream for a fun, no-drop community outing. More Details.

Whiskerville Spring Market
📍 508 Beaty Rd #A, Belmont
⏰ 12 - 4 p.m.
Shop local vendors, enjoy custom art, tattoos, piercings, and meet adoptable cats at this spring market featuring creativity, community, and small businesses. More Details. 

Wake Forest vs Appalachian State Baseball Game
📍 Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium, Shelby
⏰ 6–9 p.m.
Watch Wake Forest and Appalachian State face off in a free college baseball game, with concessions and a live 2026 bat boy and girl drawing. More Details.

Wind Down Wednesday featuring The Mojo Band
📍 McCord Family Park, 100 W. 1st St., Lowell
⏰ 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Lowell kicks off its Music in the Park series with The Mojo Band, inviting folks to bring a chair and enjoy downtown live music. 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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