Habitat for Humanity Cleveland County
Habitat is taking initial applications for its 2016 Home Build now through August 15, 2015. The applicant must be able to make no interest house payments of $475 to $525 a month, must have a real need for better housing, must live in Cleveland County, and must be willing to partner with Habitat by completing "sweat equity" on the home and by attending Homeowner Workshops. The typical Habitat home has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and is approximately 1100 square feet. Applications may be picked up at the Habitat ReStore, 323 W. Grover St., Shelby or to receive an application by mail, call the Habitat office at 704-482-6200. In order to be considered, completed initial applications must be received by the Habitat office no later than August 15th. Habitat is an Equal Housing Opportunity organization.
Mount Holly Fireworks Celebration
Mount Holly will have a Fireworks Celebration downtown, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. It will begin at 6:30pm on the Mount Holly Stage with "Coming Up Brass". There will be a kid zone and the fireworks display will start at 9:00pm.
Casar July 4th Celebration
Casar July 4th Celebration will be on Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 10:00am - 10:00pm at Casar Park. The Cruisin Casar Car Show ($5 pre-registration fee & $10 after July 2nd) events include fireworks, bounce house, catch the greased pig, climb the greased pole, turtle race, eating contest, Talent Show, games, live music, scavenger hunt, bingo, water games, DJ & much more free!!! Fun for the whole family. For more info please call 704-473-5739 or also visit Casar, NC on Facebook.
Town of Lattimore 4th of July Celebration
The Town of Lattimore invites everyone to be a part of the annual Fourth of July parade and celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2015. Entries will begin lining up for the parade on Oak Drive/Towery Road at 8:00am. The parade will begin at 9:00am and go up Westlee, Main, and Price Streets. Parade entries will include law enforcement vehicles, antique cars, horses, tractors, and much more! At the conclusion of the parade, a special program will be presented at the recreation park of Lattimore Baptist Church. The program will begin around 10:00am and will include the National Anthem, the recognition of veterans, and live music by the bluegrass duo of Darin and Brooke Aldridge. Come early to get a prime seat and enjoy food sold along the parade route by the Lattimore Baptist Church youth group. Biscuits, hotdogs, drinks, and homemade desserts will also be sold at the recreation park. All proceeds will go toward funding youth activities such as summer camp. If you would like to participate in the parade, or would like more information, please contact the Lattimore Town Hall at 704-434-2620 or townoflattimore@gmail.com. Bring a lawn chair and plan now to celebrate our freedom!
Methodist Churches Offer Summer Neighborhood Lunch Program
Methodist Churches offer Summer Neighborhood Lunch Program for children, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday,. July 6 thru July 31, 2015 (rain or shine), 12:00-1:30pm, at Polkville Park/Park Drive, Polkville, NC. Missionial Network 13 Methodist Churches are: Casar, Clover Hill, Double Shoals, Durham, Friendship, Kistler, Lawndale, Mount Moriah, New Home, Oak Grove, Palm Tree, Philadelphia, Pleasant Hill, Polkville, Rehobeth, and Saint Paul. Please register for the event ASAP by contacting Kenny at 704-538-8358 or visit their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MissionalNetwork13; or contact via: Missionial.Network13@carolina.rr.com. Meals are free to children and teens ages 18 and younger who come to the summer meal site. Food served is healthy and follows USDA nutrition guidelines. No application or proof of income needed.
Hospice Cleveland County
Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC, Calendar of Events for June and July 2015:
"Reflections" Support Group - This grief sharing group meets for six weeks. No cost and open to anyone who has lost a loved one. If you plan to attend one of our groups, please make every effort to attend all six sessions. Registration forms are available at HCC Administrative Offices or by calling 704-487-4677. Tuesdays: July 7, 14, 21, 28, 2015, 5:30pm - 7:00pm, Hospice Cleveland County Administration Building.
"Memory Bear Workshop" - Participants will have the opportunity to make a teddy bear out of a loved one's shirt or other article of clothing. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Space is limited. Please call one of our Grief Counselors at 704-487-4677 to reserve your space. Thursday, July 16, 2015, 9:00am - Noon or 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Testa Family Hospice House, 321 Kings Mountain Blvd., Kings Mtn., NC.
"Christmas in July!" Participants will have the opportunity to make Christmas ornaments in memory of a loved one who has died. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Please call one of our Grief Counselors at 704-487-4677 to register for this event. Thursday, July 23, 2014, 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Testa Family Hospice House, 321 Kings Mountain Blvd., Kings Mountain, NC or Friday, July 24, 2015 - 10:00am - Noon, Hospice Cleveland County Administration Building.
Shelby No-Name Al-Anon Family Group
Shelby No-Name Al-Anon Family Group meets on Mondays from 12:00-1:00pm, at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 502 W. Sumter St., Shelby, NC. The purpose of al-anon is to provide support to friends and families of alcoholics. Anyone who is affected by someone else's use of alcohol or drugs is invited to attend. Call Mary at 704-477-8390 for additional information.
NC Cooperative Extension, Cleveland County
Preserving Summer's Bounty 2015 Hands-on Food Preservation Workshops, NC Cooperative Extension Cleveland County Center, Kitchen 1, 130 South Post Road, Suite 1, Shelby, NC. Class size: 12. Registration fee/workshop: $15.00 (payment confirms registration) (Make checks payable to: Cleveland County Cooperative Extension) Everyone participates in hands-on time to prepare and process products.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - Basics of Pressure Canning, 10:00am - 1:00pm. Learn about low acid and high acid foods and proper pressure canning techniques; process green beans or other low-acid veggie in the pressure canner. Take home an information and recipe booklet and a processed jar of green beans (or other low-acid veggie).
Monday, July 20, 2015 - Water Bath Canning: Tomatoes and Tomato Salsa, 1:30-5:00pm. Learn to preserve the plentiful tomato in various ways! Take home an information and recipe booklet & a processed jar of zesty tomato salsa.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - Pickles and Pickle Relishes, 1:30-5:00pm. Learn the basics of pickling various products. Take home an information and recipe booklet and a processed jar of delicious relish.
To register: Call the Extension Center at 704-482-4365. For more information: Call Nancy Abasiekong, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) at the number above.
Cleveland County Arts Council, Shelby
The Cleveland County Arts Council is pleased to announce that on July 22-25, 2015 the 16th Annual "Real to Reel International Film Festival" will once again open its doors to embrace film makers and film lovers alike. Located in the heart of North Carolina between Asheville and Charlotte, Cleveland County is right in the middle of it all. The mission of the Real to Reel International Film Festival is to offer a forum for independent film, video, and multi-media artists from around the world to showcase their talents and expose the works of these artists to our region. Visitors to the Joy Performance Center, 202 S. Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain, NC, a renovated classic theater from the 1940's in Kings Mountain, NC can expect to find a great lineup of films from all over the world, a chance to talk with many of the filmmakers and of course, a concession stand with all those goodies you would expect to find. Call 704-484-2787 for information "V.I.P. Pass Details and Perks: All Showings (A,B,C,D,E) Seating in Balcony of Joy Theater (comfy chairs and tables!) Food and drinks served. Free Popcorn Wine Party, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 6:00pm. Wrap Party and presentation of awards will follow the final film on Saturday night, July 25, 2015, at 238 Cherokee Grille, 222 S. Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain, NC. Free to attend.
Cleveland County Schools Preschool
Attention All Parents. Cleveland County Schools Preschool is accepting applications for the 2015-2016 school year. Bethware Elementary, Boiling Springs Elementary, Casar Elementary, East Elementary, Fallston Elementary, Graham Elementary, Grover Elementary, James Love Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Marion Elementary, North Elementary, Township Three Elementary, Union Elementary, Washington Elementary and West Elementary. This program is for eligible children, 4 years of age or who will be by August 31 of this year. They will be given priority and 3 year old eligible children will fill any remaining openings. The program is designed for families with low to moderate income, regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, special needs or disabling condition. Bus transportation is available for children who live within the assigned school district. Contact the Office of School Readiness, 704-476-8064.
Shelby Friends 45 and Over
Shelby friends 45 and over enjoy meals together, activities, picnics and scheduled events including dinner at 5:30pm, first Friday of the month, at Golden Coral and Fisherman's Feast, third Thursday. If interested, please call 704-406-9557.
Lawndale Museum
The Lawndale Museum will be open each Sunday afternoon, June through October, 2:00-4:00pm. Two locations: Piedmont Drive, Lawndale, NC and Metcalf Station, Hwy 226 N.

Shelby High School Class of 1955
The Shelby High School Class of 1955 has planned their 60th reunion on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22, 2015. Friday, August 21: early arrivals will meet at Alston Bridges BBQ at 3:00pm for a 'taste of hometown BBQ'. Friday evening there will be a performance by "Elvis and his Band" at the Don Gibson Theatre. The lounge opens at 6:30 and doors to the theatre open at 7:30pm with the concert beginning at 8:00pm. Saturday noon: classmates will meet in the private dining room for a luncheon at Ichiban, 1712 East Dixon Blvd., Shelby, NC. An afternoon tour is planned after the luncheon. Saturday night will be a social time and dinner at the Don Gibson Theatre. Doors to the lounge will open at 5:00pm with hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and "meet and greet". 6:00pm: dinner of BBQ pork and chicken with all the trimmings will be catered by Harry McKee. After the meal, class pictures will be made. Reservations for special seating at the "Elvis" show on Friday must be made by July 10, 2015. Reservations for the Saturday night dinner must be made by August 7, 2015. For further information contact Jan Dumas at 704-418-1865 or Buddy Carter at 704-482-4190.