Yesterday morning started like most weekday mornings for me. I was up early — 5:30 a.m. on the dot (after hitting snooze for an hour). I stumbled into the kitchen, still half-asleep, and made a beeline for the Keurig. Grabbed a coffee mug from the cabinet, and headed to the fridge for some of that good stuff. You know the kind - that premium, filtered door water. (Don’t believe me? Just ask my wife.)

Except… not so much.

Instead of the usual steady stream, I got a sad little trickle. Just enough to get the 8 ounces I needed for coffee, but it took its sweet time.

My first thought wasn’t about the coffee, but did the water dispenser just break on my not-so-old Whirlpool fridge? And how much is this gonna cost me?

Turns out, the fridge was fine. The problem wasn’t inside my house at all. A water main had busted overnight on Lower Dallas Highway. So, that trickle soon turned into nothing. No water. No flushing. No showers. No brushing. No more coffee.

But as inconvenient as that was, it was nothing compared to what one family down the street was dealing with.

On Tuesday afternoon, their home caught fire. They lost everything. A family of six — four kids, one with special needs — left with only the clothes on their backs.

So yeah, I couldn’t make another cup of coffee. But they couldn’t go home.

There is a way to help, though. A GoFundMe has been set up, and our Gaston County community is already stepping up. If you're able, I hope you will too.

Thanks for reading!

Ben

P.S. A warm welcome to Jessica Goins with OptimLife Health — our newest partner! She and her husband, Bradley, call Dallas home and stay busy running both OptimLife and Goins Strong Fitness, with locations in Dallas and Cherryville. We're thrilled to have them on board!

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Get ready to celebrate! From Bessemer City to Belmont, Gaston County is lighting up the sky with fireworks, food trucks, music, and hometown fun. Events start as early as tonight in Mount Holly, with most celebrations popping off July 3–4. Don’t miss your town’s festivities—plan ahead and party patriotic-style!

Steve D’Avria, Senior VP of the Gaston Business Association, returned to Gaston’s Great last week to talk leadership, community, and ice cream? He also teases a new Italian restaurant coming to downtown Gastonia, next to Downstairs Ice Cream. 

Gaston County wants your feedback! Help shape future improvements at Dallas Park by completing a short community survey. Your input will guide planning and upgrades at one of Gaston’s most visited parks.

We already knew Belmont was a gem—but now the rest of the country does too. Travel + Leisure just ranked it the #3 best small town in America. Phoenixville, PA took the top spot, but Belmont outshined hundreds of others thanks to its charm, walkable downtown, and unbeatable location near Charlotte.

Construction on the long-delayed Wilkinson Boulevard bridge in Belmont is now expected to begin in early 2026. The updated design includes six lanes, pedestrian paths, and safer intersections. Sounds great, huh? Work is projected to only take about two years. [WCNC]

The Animal League of Gaston County has opened its full-service veterinary hospital offering affordable care for all. Services include exams, surgery, urgent care, and more. Made possible in part by Tito’s “Vodka for Dog People.” Open house event coming soon! [WCNC]

On the latest edition of Faces of the Carolinas, John Le profiles Sharon Stewart—a red-pleather-wearing, Bon Jovi-belting TikTok star from Dallas. Her weekly KSK Live show blends ’80s flair with modern tech, all filmed in her “TikTok Room.” Her greatest joy? Caring for her sweet grandson, Holden.

Gastonia’s newest hangout, RnR Café & Gifts, is celebrating its grand opening with lion dancing, karaoke, giveaways, and a free gift for the first 50 guests. Located at 3908 E Franklin Blvd. right beside Showmars—don’t miss the ribbon cutting and festive fun from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.!

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

Belmont Farmers Market
📍 Stowe Park, Belmont
⏰ 4–7 p.m.
Shop local at this open-air market with fresh produce, handmade goods, and friendly community vibes. More Details.

Gastonia Farmers Market
📍 410 E. Long Avenue, Gastonia
⏰ 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Fresh vegetables, baked goods, meats, and flowers from local farms and artisans. Come early! More Details.

Mount Holly Fireworks Celebration
📍 Downtown Mount Holly
⏰ 6 p.m.
Live music from Coming Up Brass, family fun, and fireworks light up the night in Mount Holly. More Details.

Dedication of the Helix Sculpture
📍 75 Riverside Drive, Cramerton
⏰ 5 p.m.
Celebrate the dedication of the new Helix sculpture with local leaders and community supporters. More Details.

Trivia Night
📍 Cavendish Brewing Company, Gastonia
⏰ 7 p.m.
Bring your smartest friends and compete for glory during this popular trivia showdown. More Details.

Nature Photo Walks
📍 Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont
⏰ 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Join pro photographer Nelson Stegall for a two-hour nature walk focused on slow photography. More Details.

Gastonia Ghost Peppers vs. High Point Rockers
📍 800 W Franklin Blvd, Gastonia
⏰ 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. More Details.

Carolina Speedway
📍 6335 Union Road, Gastonia
⏰ 7 p.m.
Catch Friday night races and cheer on your favorite drivers at this dirt track tradition. More Details.

Fourth of July Celebration featuring Chris Taylor & The Rumor
📍 Centennial Park, Bessemer City
⏰ 6:00 p.m.
Live concert and fireworks show to kick off the holiday weekend in style. More Details.

Cramerton Trilogy Pre-launch Event
📍 Cramerton Historical Museum, 1 Julian Street
⏰ 9–11 a.m.
Meet author Dixie Abernathy and preview her new historical fiction trilogy about Cramerton’s founding. More Details.

Gastonia Farmers Market
📍 410 E. Long Avenue, Gastonia
⏰ 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Fresh, local goods including meats, breads, produce, and flowers. A Saturday morning must! More Details.

Kings Mountain Farmers' Market
📍 313 South Battleground Ave., Kings Mountain
⏰ 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Shop from local vendors and support Kings Mountain’s growing farm-to-table movement. More Details.

Mount Holly Farmers Market
📍 226 S. Main St., Mount Holly
⏰ 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
A lively market full of handmade, homegrown, and heart-filled finds. More Details.

Independence Day Celebration in Cramerton
📍 Downtown Cramerton
⏰ 6–9:30 p.m.
Live music from Kids in America, fireworks, food trucks, and face painting. More Details.

Get The Muck Out! River Cleanup
📍 Muddy River Distillery, Belmont
⏰ 8 a.m.–11 a.m.
Volunteer by land or kayak to clean up Dutchman’s Creek. Free drink voucher for all helpers! More Details.

Movies In The Park: Finding Nemo
📍 Stowe Park, Belmont
⏰ 8:30 p.m.
Bring blankets and catch a free outdoor showing of Finding Nemo under the stars. More Details.

Chicken Hill Buckin' Bulls – Bull Riding
📍 716 Old Stubbs Rd., Cherryville
⏰ 6 p.m.
High-energy bull riding action and country fun. Great for families and rodeo fans alike. More Details.

Van Gogh’s Sunflowers
📍 Gaston County Public Library, Gastonia
⏰ 6 p.m.
Free film screening and intro talk about Van Gogh’s iconic sunflower series. More Details.

Cherryville Main Street Farmers Market
📍 Cherryville Mini Park
⏰ 5–7 p.m.
Enjoy this midweek market with local produce, goods, and a small-town vibe. More Details.

Gastonia Farmers Market
📍 410 E. Long Avenue, Gastonia
⏰ 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Stock up on farm-fresh foods and beautiful flowers. More Details.

Master Gardener Plant Clinics
📍 Citizens Resource Center, 1303 Dallas-Cherryville Hwy, Dallas
⏰ 3 – 5 p.m.
Bring troubled leaves or questions to Gaston County Master Gardeners for on-the-spot diagnosis, advice, and plant-care resources during this free hands-on clinic. 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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Was there something I missed this week? Let me know at [email protected]. Want to get your business in Hello, Gaston!? Let’s talk!