Love where you live.

That sounds nice, doesn’t it? Clean. Simple. Almost automatic.

But it doesn’t always work that way.

Sometimes the place you live has to grow on you. Not all at once. Not in some big, cinematic moment kind of way. More like something slow and quiet. It seeps in over time. Street by street. Memory by memory. Before you know it, the place you once questioned starts to feel like yours.

When I moved here nearly 26 years ago, I was already halfway gone. Always thinking about what was next. Always looking for the next place, the next move, the next version of life that might be better somewhere else.

Gaston County wasn’t the plan. It was just where I was.

But somewhere along the way, that changed.

Now, this is home. I’ve spent more of my life here than anywhere else. I’ve seen it on good days and bad ones. I’ve seen the parts people brag about and the parts they’d rather not talk about.

It’s not perfect. Never has been.

But it’s ours.

And that’s why it matters when people choose to care about it. When they take pride in it. When they decide this place is worth showing up for, telling stories about, and building something inside of.

That’s why I’ve been paying attention to what Annie O’Crites Leary is doing on Facebook.

I know, I know. Facebook can be a mess. But every now and then, someone uses it the way it was meant to be used. Like Annie. To connect people. To remind us where we came from.

Annie’s been doing that by bringing attention to Gastonia’s history and architecture. The buildings we pass every day. The stories we don’t always stop to hear. The pieces of this place that have been here longer than we have.

And now she’s taking it a step further.

She’s hosting a first-ever meet and greet. A simple idea, really. Bring your old photos. Your memorabilia. Your books. Your stories. Show up and swap a few memories with people who care about the same things you do.

It’s happening this Sunday afternoon at Durty Bull.

The weather’s supposed to be warm. The kind of day that makes you want to be outside a little longer than usual. The kind of day that reminds you why you stayed.

And if you’re someone who’s grown into this place like I have, or even if you’re still figuring it out, this might be your kind of thing.

Because loving where you live doesn’t always start with a big declaration.

Sometimes it starts with showing up.

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

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Free movies are returning to Stowe Park in Belmont for the season. The first five films are set from March 28 through May, with more to be announced later. Families can enjoy outdoor movie nights, arcade games, and concessions all spring long.

A new Go Gaston guide highlights international restaurants across Gaston County, from Mount Holly to Kings Mountain. Featuring Italian, Cuban, Thai, sushi, and more, the piece showcases how local downtowns and hidden gems offer a global dining experience with small-town charm.

Got a box of sports cards gathering dust? Gaston County’s own Jake Brewer, owner of Legends Never Die Cards, buys, appraises, and advises on collections. With 25+ years as a collector and dealer, he offers honest evaluations and cash offers. Call 828-421-6227 or email [email protected] to connect. ($)

A local family is bringing Oliv+Oak Coffee House to life, creating a cozy space rooted in connection and comfort. Designed as more than a coffee shop, the upcoming spot aims to be a welcoming hub for gathering, working, and making everyday memories in the heart of Stanley.

Laresa Thompson’s Gastonia City Sights highlights Faded Cuts & Shaves, where sharp fades meet local flavor. Richard Franks and Jim Morasso drop in, joined by a Guinness World Record holder, giving this downtown shop some serious hometown star power.

Strong Like AK has opened its Adam Kincaid Memorial Scholarship for Gaston County graduating seniors. The $5,000 scholarship continues to honor Adam’s legacy, with $30,000 already awarded to local students. Applications are open now, with materials due by Friday, April 17, 2026.

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

River cruise on your bucket list? Join us this Monday, March 23rd from 7-8 p.m. for a free in-store event:

📍 Expedia Cruises of Belmont | Monday, March 23 | 7-8 p.m.

Ready to discover your next adventure? RSVP NOW →

Strong Like AK Women’s Impact Giving Circle Brunch Kickoff
📍 Creative Solutions Showroom, Belmont
📅 Saturday, March 28
⏰ 10–11:30 a.m.
Join Strong Like AK for an uplifting brunch featuring a Kendra Scott pop-up and guest speaker Denise Thomas. This Women’s Impact Giving Circle kickoff focuses on connection, compassion, and collective support for families facing childhood cancer. More Details.($)

Gardening Through the Ages (Silent Auction) |  “Birds In The Garden”
📍 Citizens Resource Center, 1303 Dallas Cherryville Hwy, Dallas
⏰ 9:15 a.m.
The Master Gardener Group of Gaston County hosts a silent auction with bidding at 9:15 a.m., followed by “Birds in the Garden” with Hannah Pursley at 10 a.m. Shop handcrafted items and themed baskets while supporting local gardening outreach programs. More Details.

Unite 2026
📍 CaroMont Health Park, 800 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia
📅 Thursday, March 19 - Sunday, March 21
⏰ times vary
Gaston Prayers Unite returns for three evenings of worship, prayer, and unity. The free community gathering invites churches and residents to come together in faith. More Details.

Armored Cow Brewing Beer Tasting at Trailhead
📍 The Trailhead Store, 6500 South New Hope Rd., Belmont
⏰ 5:30 p.m.
Sample a lineup of Armored Cow Brewing beers during this tasting event at Trailhead. Meet fellow craft beer fans and discover new favorites. More Details.

Transcendence: Awaken Gallery 8th Anniversary Reception
📍 107 W. Central Ave., Mount Holly
⏰ 6 p.m.
Celebrate eight years of Awaken Gallery with an anniversary reception featuring new artwork, community connections, and a festive evening honoring local creativity. More Details.

Sensory Friendly Easter EGGstravaganza
📍 Lowell Recreation Center, 715 N. Main St., Lowell
⏰ 6 p.m.
Families enjoy a sensory-friendly Easter celebration designed for comfort and fun, featuring egg hunts, activities, and welcoming spaces for children of all abilities. More Details.

Cramerton Concert Series: Shellem Cline
📍 100 Centennial Center Circle, Cramerton
⏰ 6 p.m.
Enjoy live music from Shellem Cline during the Cramerton concert series. Bring a chair, relax with friends, and spend the evening outdoors. More Details.

Stand-Up Comedy Show
📍 Muddy River Distillery, 250 N. Main St., Mount Holly
⏰ 7 p.m.
Laugh the night away during a stand-up comedy show featuring touring comedians and rising performers delivering sharp jokes and big laughs. More Details.

Charlotte Blues Society Presents: Contagious Blues Band
📍 The Rooster, 334 W. Main Ave., Gastonia
⏰ 8 p.m.
The Charlotte Blues Society brings the Contagious Blues Band to Gastonia for a night of electric blues, soulful guitar, and classic blues energy. More Details.

Abbey Players present Coriolanus
📍 Haid Theatre, Belmont Abbey College, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd., Belmont
📅 Saturday, March 20 - Sunday, March 29
⏰ times vary
Abbey Players present Shakespeare’s Coriolanus at Belmont Abbey College, with performances March 20–22 and March 27–29. More Details.

Fairy Tale Weekend
📍 Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 6500 South New Hope Rd., Belmont
📅 Saturday, March 20 - Sunday, March 21
⏰ times vary
Step into a storybook during Fairy Tale Weekend with themed activities, characters, and family-friendly fun designed to spark imagination for kids. More Details.

Muddy River Distillery Spring Market
📍 250 N. Main St., Mount Holly
⏰ 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Browse vendors, enjoy craft cocktails, and shop handmade goods during the Muddy River Distillery Spring Market featuring local makers and artisans. More Details.

All About Gardening 101
📍 Wild & Whimsy Living, 231 E. Main Ave., Gastonia
⏰ 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Learn gardening basics including soil, planting tips, and seasonal care during this beginner-friendly class designed to help new gardeners get started. More Details.

Remember the Ladies: The Gaston County Woman’s Suffrage League
📍 Gaston County Public Library, 1555 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia
⏰ 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Discover the story of Gaston County’s Woman’s Suffrage League and the local women who helped advance voting rights during this historical presentation. More Details.

Gears & Beers
📍 Primal Brewery, 52 Ervin St., Belmont
⏰ 2–6 p.m.
Car lovers and craft beer fans gather for Gears & Beers featuring classic cars, conversation, and cold drinks at Primal Brewery. More Details.

Spring Starts Here Garden Workshop
📍 Creekside Nursery, 5421 Dallas High Shoals Hwy, Dallas
⏰ 10–11 a.m.
Kick off spring planting season with container and landscape planting tips during Creekside Nursery’s free monthly garden workshop. No registration required. More Details.

Belmont, NC Winter Farmers Market
📍 24 S Main St, Belmont
⏰ 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Shop a rotating lineup of 20+ vendors with meats, eggs, produce, baked goods, artisan foods, and handmade items at Stowe Park in downtown Belmont. More Details

Gastonia Architecture & History Appreciation Society Story Swap
📍 300 S. Firestone St., Gastonia
⏰ 2–4:30 p.m.
History lovers gather to share stories, photos, and memories about Gastonia’s architecture and past during this informal community meet-up. More Details.

AmaWaterways Travel Sale
📍 Expedia Cruises, 915 South Point Rd., Suite E, Belmont
⏰ 7–8 p.m.
Travel lovers can learn about upcoming AmaWaterways river cruises and explore special offers during this informational travel event. More Details. ($)

Easter Egg Hunt
📍 Martha Rivers Park, 1515 Neal Hawkins Rd., Gastonia
⏰ 6–7 p.m.
Families gather at Martha Rivers Park for a festive Easter egg hunt featuring games, activities, and plenty of eggs for kids to find. 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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