McAdenville Lights inspire
'Carolina Christmas' song
The Chamber recently received a surprise Christmas present by mail in the form of an original "Carolina Christmas" song inspired by the "Lights of McAdenville."

CLICK HERE to read the story of "Carolina Christmas"
and its composer.

CLICK HERE to hear the song.

Owners of sponsoring businesses at Chamber event.

3-business Chamber event a blast
H&M Deli in Cramerton partnered with Creative Solutions Special Events and Carey Roberts Design to host Montcross Area Chamber members and friends for "Network After Work." Each business put on an exhibition of its expertise, with H&M showcasing food and beautiful dining venue, Creative Solutions and Carey Roberts their abilities in event planning, decorations and floral arrangement. In the photo are sponsors. From the left, are Carey Roberts of Carey Roberts Design; Jacob Henderson, Shannon Thomas, Brad Thomas and Laura Griffin of Creative Solutions; Hans and Megan Kanal of H&M Deli. For more information on H&M Deli, visit www.hmdeliandmarket.com or call 704-824-2599. For more on Creative Solutions, go to www.csspecialevents.com or call 704-825-8701. To learn more about Carey Roberts Design, visit www.careyrobertsdesign.com or call 704-718-6987.

Casey and Donna Howell cut ribbon at DAC Embroidery.

DAC Embroidery open in Mount Holly
Owners Donna and Casey Howell launched a grand opening celebration for DAC Embroidery with a Montcross Area Chamber ribbon-cutting. The new business is at 1017 W. Catawba Avenue in Mount Holly beside West View Grocery. Casey announced at the ceremony a discount on orders placed during the grand opening, which continues throughout November. DAC Embroidery offers complete and quality embroidery services to hats, shirts, uniforms, linens and other promotional products. All services guaranteed. In the photo, from the left, are Montcross Area Chamber Board Chairman Timothy Roberts of Cottage Keepers, Jan Strohm, Donna Howell, Freda Hall of Reflection Properties, Casey Howell, Chamber Past-Chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy, Jeanette Dorfmeister, Mount Holly Planning Director Greg Beal and Chamber Board Secretary Joe Keith of Gaston College. For more information on DAC Embroidery, call 704-820-6497, or visit www.dacembroidery.com.

Blythe Gallery staff at Chamber event.

Blythe Gallery & Gaston Alive!
Chamber members and friends were treated to a historic Belmont house filled with antiques, accessories and gifts along with live music, great refreshments and an opportunity to make business contacts when Blythe Gallery and Gaston Alive! magazine hosted "Network After Work" recently. Owner Nan Bridgeman and her husband John, who is mayor of Gastonia, are in the center of the photo above with other Blythe Gallery exhibitors and staff members. From the left, are Scotty King, Ceil Phillips, Marty Starnes, Denise Bower, Kaye Waller, Dottie Brooks, Karen Simmons, Dana Bridgeman Wilson, and John Merrit. In the accompanying photo, from Gaston Alive!, are, from left, photographer Rick Haithcox, publisher David Hamrick, David James and Susan Lambert. Live entertainment was provided by Demperio Hurtz Music. More information on Blythe Gallery at 704-825-8809 and on Gaston Alive! at www.gastonalive.com.

David Hamrick of Gaston Alive and Tammy Kronk of Carillon.

Oktoberfest at Carillon with Gaston Alive!
It was an Oktoberfest celebration when Carillon Assisted Living and Gaston Alive! magazine teamed up to host Montcross Area Chamber members and friends for "Networking After Work" on October 18. A beautiful autumn evening on the garden patio with brats, beer and wine and live music by Stepside Deluxe set the perfect atmosphere for business networking and fun. In front of the banner are David Hamrick of Gaston Alive! and Tammy Kronk of Carillon. Enjoying food and conversation are (from left) Emily McDonald of the Gastonia Grizzlies, Christie Ray of Home Instead Senior Care, Judy Closson of Keep Belmont Beautiful, Irl Dixon of Coldwell Banker and Dave Charzewski of Cramerton. Carillon Assisted Living is at 500 Cramer Mountain Road in Cramerton. For more information, call 704.823.0500. For more on Gaston Alive!, call704.650.8330 or visit www.gastonalive.com.

Owner Julie Seligman cuts ribbon.

Walk & Run Belmont Grand Opening
Walkers and runners on the streets of Belmont will be in style and properly fitted with shoes after the recent grand opening of Walk & Run Belmont at 200 N. Main Street. Owner Julie Seligman and business partner Dr. Matthew Gregory of Gregory Chiropractic are cutting the ribbon during a ceremony coordinated by the Chamber. Holding the ribbon are Chamber Board Secretary Dr. Joe Keith of Gaston College Kimbrell Campus and Chamber Board member Delta Sanders of Keep Belmont Beautiful. Also on the front row, from the left, are Rod Smallwood of Rod Smallwood CPA, Chamber Board Chair Timothy Roberts of Cottage Keepers, Belmont Assistant City Manager Adrian Miller, Anne Mallonee of Girls on the Run of Gaston County and Girls on the Run Council Director Kathleen Boyce, Billie Bass and Sandi Ridout, family members of the owner. Other Chamber members attending the grand opening joined in the photo. For more on Walk & Run Belmont, call (704) 829-1082.

Mike and Martha Auten cut ribbon for 125 N. Main Catering.

125 North Main Catering ready to roll
A new catering service complete with a bright yellow van was rolled out by 125 North Main Restaurant in Lowell with a Chamber ribbon- cutting. The restaurant is now taking all types of catering orders and also booking meeting space for groups of up to 75. Owners Mike and Martha Auten said catering is a natural additional service for the popular breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant. In the photo, Martha is cutting the ribbon along with Mike and Lowell Mayor Judy Horne. Also shown, from the left, are Montcross Area Chamber office manager Deborah Ray Benton, restaurant staff members Sandra Morgan, Suzie Abernathy, Judy Johnson, Shelley Green, Connie Dixon and Michelle Kale, with Lowell City Manager Ben Blackburn and Montcross Area Chamber Board member Delta Sanders. For more information on 125 North Main Catering, call 704-879-4073 or visit www.125nmain.com.

Renovated South Fork Room focus of Chamber event.

Center Street, South Fork Room host Chambers
Center Street Tavern celebrated renovation of its adjoining South Fork Meeting Room with a "Networking After Work" reception to which members of the Montcross Area Chamber and the Gaston Regional Chamber were invited. The event featured live music, a wine tasting, great food and beautiful décor provided by Creative Solutions Special Events. In the photo are (from left) Center Street Tavern owner Kathleen Hover, vocalist and guitarist Sabra Callas, Center Street events sales manager Michael Drovlic, chef Jennifer Simms, Brad Thomas of Creative Solutions, Gaston Regional Chamber President John Kimbrell and Montcross Area Chamber President Ted Hall. For more information on Center Street Tavern and the South Fork Room, call 704-823-3000 or visit www.centerstreettavern.com.

Matinata family now sole owners of Old Stone Steak House.

Old Stone celebrates 5^th anniversary
More than 130 signed up and even more Chamber members and friends attended a "Networking After Work" reception at Old Stone Steak House in Belmont on September 11. Many business connections were made, lots of great door prizes were won and everyone enjoyed the food and drink. Linda and Matthew Matinata (front, center in the photo) thank all who came to wish them well as sole owners of Old Stone, as the restaurant celebrates its fifth anniversary. Joining them for the photo are (from left) Carey Roberts of Carey Roberts Design, Angie Arbia, Courtney Paquette, Julie Roper of PSNC Energy, Brad Thomas of Creative Solutions, Old Stone Head Chef and General Manager Matt Klepp, Shannon Thomas and Logan Thomas of Creative Solutions and Dick Cromlish of School Resources.

Innovations and Image Gallery representatives tell group about their businesses at Networking After Work.

Networking After Work draws crowd
Chamber members and friends came out in large numbers for Networking After Work sponsored by Innovations Home Design Center and Image Gallery Photography on Catawba Street in East Belmont. Food provided by H&M Deli of Cramerton also was a big hit. Deborah Fox, owner of Innovations, was the host along with Image Gallery representatives Josh Gaddis and Bristol Crider. For more on the sponsors, visit www.innovationshomedesign.com and www.igstudio.biz. More photos from the event are posted on the Chamber's facebook page.(CLICK HERE).

Dr. Richard Snyder cuts ribbon at Southeast Chiropractic.

Southeast Chiropractic celebrates Belmont office
Dr. Richard Snyder cuts a ribbon at the new Belmont office of Southeast Chiropractic Center at 71 McAdenville Road. Officers and members of the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand for the occasion. Beside Dr. Snyder are staff members Acasia Coffey (left) and Carresa Huneycutt. Others are (from left) Chamber Board Secretary Joe Keith of Gaston College, Board Chairman Timothy Roberts of Cottage Keepers, Chamber Vice President Teresa Rankin, Freda Hall of Reflection Properties, Chamber Office Manager Deborah Ray Benton and Chamber Board Chair-elect Brian Herre of Citizens South Bank. For more information on Southeast Chiropractic Center, call 704.461.8727 or visit www.southeastchiro.com.

Owners Lori and Cindy Carver cut ribbon to open Summer Bound Hair Salon.

Summer Bound adds hair salon
Now you can freshen your tan and get your hair styled in one stop as Summer Bound in Belmont is both a tanning and hair salon. Cindy Carver and her daughter Lori Carver are owners of the new hair salon business at 117 S. Main Street and are shown here cutting a ribbon (Lori holding scissors) during a Chamber grand opening ceremony on July 9. Stylist Lisa Brandon is standing behind Cindy and Lori. Others are (from left) Chamber Board Chair Timothy Roberts of Cottage Keepers, Chamber Office Manager Deborah Ray Benton, Ken Parrott of Bedgood Outdoor Advertising, Chamber Board Secretary Joe Keith of Gaston College, Sharon Hicks Allen, Harold Roper Jr., Kathy Upton of The Glass Guru in Belmont, Donald Miller and Chamber Board Chair-elect Brian Herre of Citizens South Bank. Summer Bound Hair Salon is open Tuesday – Thursday from 10 -7, Friday from 10 – 5 and Saturday from 10 – 3. For more information, call 704-825-2345.

Executive Director Mary Harris, Board President Tom Koval cut ribbon.

Habitat for Humanity celebrates anniversary
Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County Executive Director Mary Harris and Board President Tom Koval cut a ribbon on June 28 to celebrate Habitat's first year in new administrative offices and ReStore facilities at 1840 E. Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia. Representatives of the Montcross Area Chamber and the Gaston Regional Chamber participated in the ceremony and reception which followed along with Habitat for Humanity Board members, staff, volunteers and friends. Representing the Montcross Area Chamber were Board Secretary Joe Keith of Gaston College, Board members Sherry Collins of the Gaston Gazette and Drew Jones of NC Farm Bureau Insurance, President Ted Hall and Vice President Teresa Rankin.

Mayor Ronnie Worley cuts ribbon to open renovated building.

Cramerton opens Town Hall, Police Dept.
After a year-long renovation, Cramerton town employees and police officers have moved back to their historic 1920s building at 155 North Main Street. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house were held on April 5. The building totals 15,000 square feet and houses both the Town Hall and the Police Department. In the photo, Cramerton Mayor Ronnie Worley is cutting the ribbon in the new Board of Commissioners chamber. Holding the ribbon are Montcross Area Chamber Board Chair Timothy Roberts of Cottage Keepers and Past Chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy. City officials participating in the ceremony are (from left) Police Chief Greg Ratchford, Commissioner Will Cauthen, Mayor Pro Tem Houston Helms, Commissioners Sandra Ware and Sam Carpenter and Town Manager Michael Peoples. (Photo by Becca Dickinson for the Montcross Area Chamber.)

Surprise Me celebrates anniversary with Chamber networking reception.

Surprise Me celebrates 1st anniversary
Chamber members and friends and Surprise Me customers turned out in large numbers to celebrate the first anniversary of the gift shop at 132 N. Main Street in Belmont. In the photo, owner Poochie Dotson and manager Scott Keuthan are behind the counter with Chamber Vice President of Business Services Teresa Rankin. In front of the counter is Jodi Flowers of Belmont Flooring Center and at right Ken Parrott of Bedgood Outdoor Advertising. For more information on Surprise Me, call 704-825-1116.

Four local entrepreneurs participated in panel.

First Entrepreneurs Roundtable         (Video highlight)
Present and future business owners heard stories of success and failure from four local entrepreneurs at the Chamber's first Entrepreneurs Roundtable. The panel of presenters is shown here: (from left) Rebecca Johns of Creative Travel, Vince Hill of Caravan Coffee, Scott Toal of Short Run Pro and D.J. Toal of Bisque Imports and Slumpy's. The Entrepreneurs Roundtable is part of the Chamber's five-year Forward Together program, funded by 31 area businesses, foundations and individuals. It's goal is to create jobs in Gaston County by encouraging and supporting entrepreneurs to start new businesses and to grow existing businesses. Public sessions are planned quarterly. (See more photos on Facebook from the Entreprneurs Roundtable.)

Owner Chad Ratchford cuts ribbon at Backwoods.

New hours, specials and more at Backwoods
Backwoods Fancy Vittles in Mount Holly launched a new menu, new specials and new hours of operation with a Montcross Area Chamber ribbon-cutting on Monday, March 26.Backwoods, at 119 N. Main St., Mount Holly, is now open Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., offering early bird and daily specials, gourmet lunches for the office, catering, meeting space and more. In the photo, Backwoods owner Chad Ratchford is cutting the ribbon along with Backwoods staff members, members of the Mount Holly City Council and Montcross Area Chamber officers. Holding the ribbon are Chamber Board members Brad Thomas (left) of Creative Solutions and Drew Jones of NC Farm Bureau Insurance. Others from the left are: Chamber Board member Sherry Collins of the Gaston Gazette; from Backwoods Matt Murphy, Chris Williams, Stephania Sarvis and Chad Ratchford; from the City of Mount Holly, Mayor Pro Tem David Moore, Councilman Jim Hope and Councilman Jerry Bishop; Montcross Area Chamber Board Chair Timothy Roberts of Cottage Keepers; Mount Holly Assistant City Manager Jamie Guffey and City Manager Danny Jackson. For more information on Backwoods, call 704-820-8098.

Doug Alles of Rhyne's Trace (2nd from left) with Chamber officers.

Networking at Rhyne's Trace
Members and friends of the Montcross Area Chamber made business contacts, toured a beautifully decorated model home and enjoyed great food during a Networking After Work reception at the Rhyne's Trace community by LiveWell Homes in Mount Holly. Rhyne's Trace is on Perfection Avenue and offers new homes from the $150s and from 1,800 to 4,000 square feet. Catering for the event was provided by H&M Deli of Cramerton. In the photo is Rhyne's Trace representative Doug Alles (second from left) with Chamber officers and board members. From the left, are Chamber chair-elect Brian Herre of Citizens South Bank, past-chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy, and board members Drew Jones of N.C. Farm Bureau Insurance and Delta Sanders of Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County. For more information on Rhyne's Trace and LiveWell Homes, call Doug Alles at 704-906-6212.

ActionCoach Tony Marder (left) tests his memory.

Belmont Rotary hosts memory workshop
Chamber members and friends turned out in large numbers for a combination networking reception and "Master Your Memory" workshop hosted by Belmont Rotary Club. The event in the auditorium at Gaston College Kimbrell Campus in Belmont featured a workshop led by professional trainer Gary Castellano of Direct Development Training. In the photo, Action Coach Tony Marder (left) tests his memory. Belmont Rotary Club President Kevin Wilson welcomed participants, and Rotarian Beth Hollars spoke about services provided by Rotary such as raising funds for charities through the annual Taste of Belmont event at Stowe Manor, scheduled this year for May 4. For information on joining the Belmont Rotary Club, call Kevin Wilson at 704-822-9622.

Owner Jay Pithwa cuts ribbon at new Tastebuds Gourmet Popcorn.

Tastebuds Popcorn open in Belmont
More than 150 flavors of gourmet popcorn are now available at 208 North Main Street in Belmont and around the world through online sales. The shop also offers a wide assortment of fine chocolate and fudge. Tastebuds Popcorn celebrated its grand opening recently with all day specials and a Montcross Area Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony. Owner Jay Pithwa is cutting the ribbon, with (to his right) his wife Sapna and daughter Divya and his parents Krishna and Shawn. To Jay's left are Tastebuds staff members, Zandria, Teresa and Andrea. On the back row are Chamber Past-Chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy and Belmont Mayor Pro Tem Ron Foulk. Holding the ribbon are Chamber Board Chair Timothy Roberts of Cottage Keepers and Board Secretary Dr. Joe Keith of Gaston College Kimbrell Campus. Tastebuds is open Monday - Thursday from 10 until 7; Friday and Saturday from 10 until 9; Sunday from noon until 6. For more information, call 704.461.8755, or visitwww.tastebudspopcorn.com.

52nd Annual Banquet & Meeting
Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
January 19, 2012

Photography by The Image Gallery of Gastonia

2012 Board Chair Timothy Roberts of Cottage Keepers receives gavel from 2011 Chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy. 

Harley B. Gaston, Jr.
Public Service Award

Business of The Year

EPIC Award Winner
(Entrepreneurial, Progressive, Innovative, Collaborative)

Humpy Wheeler signs a book for Sheriff Alan Cloninger and wife Kathy.

Featured speaker Humpy Wheeler signs a book for Gaston County Sheriff Alan Cloninger and wife Kathy.   


    






CLICK HERE for more event photos on Facebook.

H&R Block office at 7005 E. Wilkinson Blvd. in Belmont

H&R Block Grand Opening
The expanded and renovated offices of H&R Block at 7005 E. Wilkinson Blvd., Belmont, celebrated with a reception and Montcross Area Chamber ribbon-cutting. Cutting the ribbon, are office manager Coy Holliday (left) and district manager Lezlie Shivar. Holding the ribbon, are Chamber Board Chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy and Chair-elect Timothy Roberts of Cottage Keepers. Others, from the left, are Chamber Treasurer Brian Herre of Citizens South Bank, and H&R Block representatives Cathy Carpenter, Veronique Mustafa, Linda Klocker,  Larry Pasour, Leann Garver, Colleen Taylor, Ken Williams and Sammie McKeag, and from Southwood Realty / Cloisters Apartments Tara Poarch and Christy Waters. For more information on H&R Block in Belmont, call 704-825-3935.

Caravan Coffee Bar at 117 N. Main St. in Mount Holly.

Caravan Coffee open in Mount Holly
Caravan Coffee Bar in Mount Holly was packed for its grand opening and Montcross Area Chamber ribbon-cutting. This is the second location for Vince Hill's popular Caravan Coffee & Dessert Bar, which has become an institution in Belmont. The new Mount Holly shop is at 117 North Main Street and is open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Several representatives of the City of Mount Holly attended along with a large crowd of Chamber members, customers, friends and neighbors. Performing that evening were Kaley Rivera & Company. Cutting the ribbon are Vince Hill along with (at his left) his wife Brenda Hill and (at his right) Irene Pharr, who manages the Mount Holly shop. Also in the photo from the left, are Chamber board member Brad Thomas of Creative Solutions, Mount Holly City Manager Danny Jackson, Councilman Jason Gowen, Mayor Pro Tem David Moore, Councilman Perry Toomey and Chamber board chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy. Mount Holly Mayor Bryan Hough also attended but was not available for the photo. For more information on Caravan Coffee Bar Mount Holly, call 704-820-6072.

Stowe Building in Belmont boasts six new businesses, all Chamber members.

Six businesses celebrate open house
More than 150 Montcross Area Chamber members and friends attended a holiday open house and networking reception for six businesses that have established offices recently in the Stowe Building in Belmont, where the Chamber office also is located. From the left are Jay and Diane Hancock of Visiting Angels, Melissa Smith of Clearbrook Advisory Services, Mickey Payseur, Robert Adams and Denise Saunders of Butler & Stowe CPAs, Chamber Board Chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy, Jim Crisp of Clearbrook, Cindy Cook and Dana White of The Awen Group, Carol Posey of Just Care Plus and Sharon Green and Barbara Morgan of Brixx Wood Fired Pizza.

Creative Travel owner Rebecca Johns (center) and friends.

Creative Travel hosts clients and Chamber
An estimated 180 Creative Travel clients and Chamber members filled the Wisteria Inn at Stowe Manor to learn about travel opportunities, make business contacts, enjoy fantastic food and drink and in general have a great time. Everyone attending went home with a prize and 17 lucky winners took home major prizes. Creative Travel owner Rebecca Johns is at the center of this photo and staff member Sandy Dierdorf is at right. Their friends are (from left) Lynette Demperio, Ken Pahon of Portable Restroom Trailers and Dr. David Demperio of Belmont Chiropractic Center. For more information on Creative Travel, call 704-825-1865, or visit www.creativetraveler.com.

Surprise Me kicks off holidays with a Chamber open house.

Open House at Surprise Me
Poochie Dotson, owner of the Surprise Me gift shop in Belmont, cuts a ribbon during the store's open house with the Montcross Area Chamber. With her are store manager Scott Keuthan and Patsy Fuller. Surprise me is located at 132 N. Main Street and features a wide assortment of gifts for all occasions. Some of the Chamber members and friends attending the open house gathered around for the photo. Holding the ribbon are Chamber Board member Todd Van Der Meid of LPL Financial and Board Chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy. Surprise Me is open Monday – Friday from 10 – 6 and Saturday 10 – 4. For more information, call 704-825-1116.

Three Chamber members partner to sponsor "Networking After Work."

Oktoberfest networking at Carillon
Carillon Assisted Living, Gaston Alive Magazine and Advanced Home Care teamed up to sponsor an Oktoberfest celebration at the Montcross Area Chamber's "Networking After Work" on Thursday, October 27. The reception at Carillon Assisted Living in Cramerton drew a huge turnout of Chamber members and friends who made business contacts and enjoyed live music, beer and wine and great food prepared by the Carillon staff. In the photo, from the left are sponsors Janet Perrine and Eric Stromski of Carillon, David Hamrick and David James of Gaston Alive Magazine and Renee James, Mark Melsha, Denise Mackey and Brad Coleman of Advanced Home Care and Chamber Board Chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy.

Appreciation lunch honors Chamber presidents and board chairs.

Chamber presidents honored
Fifteen presidents and board chairmen of the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce were honored for their service at an appreciation lunch. Clyde J. Deitz was recognized as the earliest serving president attending. He was a founder of the Chamber and served as its second president in 1961. The title of the Chamber's top volunteer leader was changed in 2008 from president to chairman of the board of directors. Seated, from left, with their year of service are: Edward Lunsford, 2010; Julie Roper, 2011; Kevin Loftin, 2001; Clyde Deitz, 1961; Bryan Dalton, 2003, 2004, 2009; Richard Thomas, 1979. Standing, from left, are 2012 Chairman-elect Timothy Roberts and Alex Robinson, 1990; Rebecca Johns, 2006; Paul Lowrance, 2007; Paul Herre, 2005; Helena McClure, 1999; Harley Gaston, Jr., 1970; Bob Coleman, 1985; and Bobby Curtis, 1971.

Carolinas Urgent Care open at 420 Park Street in Belmont.

Urgent Care opens in Belmont
A VIP ribbon-cutting for Carolinas HealthCare's new Urgent Care in Belmont combined with a "Networking After Work" for members and friends of the Montcross Area Chamber resulted in a huge crowd eager to see the new medical facility, make business contacts and enjoy food prepared by The String Bean Fresh Market & Deli. The new urgent care opened to patients on October 6, and will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. seven days a week. It's located in the Sterling Professional Park at 420 Park St. (Highway 273) in Belmont. For more information, call 704.631.1820. In the photo, from left, are X-ray technicians Georgette Christman and Teri Hoke, registrar Patricia Dortch, RN Deb Garrett, Practice Manager Lorenzo Small, office coordinator Naheed Chaudhary, Director Urgent Care - North Colleen Rhyant, Belmont Mayor Pro-Tem Charlie Martin, Vice President – Urgent Care Division Steve Jones, Belmont Mayor Richard Boyce, Belmont City Council member Martha Stowe, Gaston County Sheriff Alan Cloninger, District Attorney Locke Bell, Montcross Area Chamber President Ted Hall, Gaston Regional Chamber Director of Program Development Cam Tracy and Medical Director – Urgent Care Division Sarah Allgood.

Miss Mount Holly helps cut ribbon at Time Flies Country Store.

Time Flies Country Store opens with a bang
North Main Street in Mount Holly was jumping when Time Flies Country Store opened with a huge celebration that included a benefit to help Mount Holly's Community Relief Organization recover from flood damage. The Catawba River Bluegrass Association provided plenty of entertainment out front at the Time Flies store, while the back parking lot was filled with classic cars and young dance academy performers. The Montcross Area Chamber coordinated a ribbon-cutting as part of the festivities. In the photo, Miss Mount Holly Shane McCaleb is between Time Flies owners Kerry McCallum (left) and Sue Camacho, with friends and customers helping out. Holding the ribbon are Chamber Board Chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy (left) and Chamber Vice President Teresa Rankin. For more information on Time Flies Country Store, call 704.601.7131.

Mount Holly medical practice opens at 112 Woodlawn Ave.

South Point Family Practice - Mount Holly
South Point Family Practice – Mount Holly opened recently at 112 Woodlawn Avenue in Mount Holly with a reception and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Cutting the ribbon is Dr. Sharon McKenna along with practice staff members, representatives of CaroMont Health and officials of the Montcross Area Chamber and the Gaston Regional Chamber's Mount Holly division. Office hours are 7:30 – 12:30 and 1:30 – 6:30 Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 – 12:30 and 1:30 – 5 on Friday. For more information, call 704.827.3575.

Chamber networking "crawl" sponsors.

Three members host Chamber networking
"crawl" in McAdenville
Chamber members and friends gathered in downtown McAdenville recently for a Networking After Work "crawl" along Main Street hosted by three member businesses. Representing the sponsors in the photo are (from left) Dr. Travis Nixon of Nixon Family Dentistry,  Jay McCosh of the Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery, Tammy Kane of Truliant Federal Credit Union and Chamber Board Chairman Julie Roper of PSNC Energy.
 

Stanton Enterprise staff in lobby of new offices.

Stanton Enterprise Open House
Stanton Enterprise, Inc. hosted Chamber members and friends for an open house at their sparkling new corporate offices at 125 E. Charlotte Avenue in downtown Mount Holly. The Stanton family owns McDonalds restaurants in Mount Holly, Belmont, Gastonia and Charlotte. The company purchased and renovated the former home of the Mount Holly Police Department to house their corporate offices and training facilities.  A large crowd of Chamber members were on hand to tour the offices and enjoy a McDonalds breakfast. In the photo are Ann and Greg Stanton (seated) and standing, from the left, Jeff and Brenda Stanton, Cindi Dennis, Teresa Smith, Kim Thomas, Traci Burries and Sandy Gardner.

This home at 2122 London Lane in North Belmont available.

Abbington Woods Open house
Members and friends of the Montcross Area Chamber toured new ranch-style homes and enjoyed a wine and cheese reception at the Abbington Woods community off Perfection Avenue in North Belmont. Five homes are completed or nearing completion in the community that will have more than 50 homes. Prices range from $180,000 to about $225,000. In the photo Guy Gordon of Gordon Builders is cutting the ribbon. Others, from the left are, Chamber member Dave Charzewski of Cramerton, Joel Murphy of Century 21 Murphy & Rudolph, developer John Maxwell, sales representative Sandra Gellner, builder Guy Gordon,  Belmont City Council member Martha Stowe, Belmont Mayor Richard Boyce and Chamber Board Secretary Joe Keith, dean of the Kimbrell Campus of Gaston College in Belmont. For more information on Abbington Woods, call Sandra Gellner at 704-913-0119.

Grizzlies Managing Partner Jesse Cole (center) with Chamber members.

Networking with the Grizzlies  
The sun was hot but the beverages were cold and the hot dogs plentiful when Chamber members visited Sims Legion Park in Gastonia for "Networking with the Grizzlies." Team Managing Partner Jesse Cole, ignoring the heat and sporting a tux, also treated Chamber members to free tickets to that night's baseball game. Jesse is in the center of this photo between Chamber Board Chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy (left) and Chamber VP Teresa Rankin, with some of the other Chamber members attending the event gathered around. A Grizzlies game is great family fun with loads of entertainment after every inning. Support the team. Schedules and more information at www.gastoniagrizzlies.com.

Marie Creech Williams cuts ribbon to open new computer business.

Creech Computer Consulting 
Creech Computer Consulting at 114 N. Main Street in downtown Mount Holly cut a ribbon with the Montcross Area Chamber and celebrated a grand opening on Saturday, June 18. Owners Corey and Karen Creech welcomed Chamber members and other guests during an open house with refreshments. Corey's mom, Marie Creech Williams, is cutting the ribbon, while Chamber board members Todd Van der Meid of LPL Financial and Delta Sanders of Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County hold the ribbon. Others in the photo, from the left, are Sumner Rhodes, Brad Rivers of the Small Business Center at Gaston College, Pam Rhodes, Memory Morgan, Marie Creech Williams, Corey and Karen Creech, Travis Murray and Freda Hall of Reflection Properties. For more information, call 704-827-5979www.creechcomputers.com.

Megan and Hans Kanal with Carey Roberts and Julie Roper.

H&M Deli celebrates with Chamber
When H&M Deli & Market in Cramerton hosted Chamber members and friends for networking recently, owners Megan and Hans Kanal demonstrated their ability to transform the deli into a beautiful party, reception and banquet venue. Since H&M Deli is open for breakfast and lunch and the market until 5 p.m. weekdays and 3 p.m. Saturdays, evening hours are available to book events of all kinds. Chamber members Creative Solutions and Carey Roberts Design are partnering with H&M Deli to provide additional services for events. In the photo, taken at one of several food serving stations at the Chamber reception, are (from left) Megan and Hans Kanal, Carey Roberts of Carey Roberts Design and Chamber Board Chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy. For more information, call 704-824-2599, or visit www.hmdeliandmarket.com. 

New office of Garibaldi Realty open at 100 S. Main St., Belmont.

Garibaldi Realty opens new office
Wendy Hostetler cuts a ribbon to open the new office of Garibaldi Realty in a building she purchased and renovated at 100 S. Main Street in Belmont. Representing the Montcross Area Chamber and holding the ribbon are Chair-Elect Timothy Roberts of Cottage Keepers and board member Delta Sanders of Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County. Others in the photo, from left, are Shirley Greene, Don Greene, George Keel, Brandon Hostetler, Alex Hostetler, Lilly Keel and David Hostetler. For more information on Garibaldi Realty, call 704-825-SOLD, or visit www.sellinggaston.com.