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Choral Society auditions
The Gaston Choral Society is now accepting singers for its fall season.
All singers are welcome. They will be auditioned in small groups. Music-reading ability is encouraged but not required for membership. Rehearsals begin Aug. 28, 7-9 p.m. They will be held every Thursday in the music room at Gaston Day School.
For more information, call Lawton Blandford at (704)827-0853.
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McConnell, Springs named People of the Year
By THOMAS LARK
- Thu, May 8, 2008
MOUNT HOLLY—Why is a dog man’s best friend?
“Because they wag their tails instead of their tongues.”
Such was the humorous yet sage thought of Rick Connell, Friday night. The scoutmaster of Troop 59 of Mount Holly, Connell is known for his trademark “final thoughts.” By turns funny or profound, they are offered at every regular meeting of the Mount Holly City Council after his Scouts troop in the colors and lead the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
And for his many years of dedicated work in Scouting, Connell was recognized as the 2008 Man of the Year at the 58th annual Mount Holly Community Dinner.
Presenting the award was Dwight Dellinger, last year’s Man of the Year.
“I’ll accept this on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America,” said Connell. “This means a lot to me.”
Frances Springs was recognized as the Woman of the Year. Forty-nine years ago, her husband, Mount Holly businessman Yates Springs, was the Man of Year.
Following a 35-year teaching career, Mrs. Springs still volunteers, helping teachers at J.B. Page Elementary in Belmont.
“I’m a behind-the-scenes kind of person,” she said. “This is a quite a nice surprise. I don’t do anything more than people are supposed to do. I love to help others. But I do feel guilty, because I enjoy it so.”
Springs was nominated by her friends, Emily and Henry Massey.
“Rudyard Kipling said, ‘A philanthropist is a friend to all the world,’” said Mrs. Massey. “She is a perfect example of the Bible’s counsel to give rather than to receive, and her personality shows that people who give and share are happier than those who don’t.”
Local notables attending the event included Mayor Robert Whitt, former mayor Bobby Black and city councilmen Bennie Brookshire and Perry Toomey.
“It gets folks from Mount Holly to come out and have a good time,” said Whitt.
“It’s something to hold on to and be very proud of,” Black said of the event’s longstanding qualities. “It’s a great time for all of us. For 58 years, we’ve tried to hold on to tradition. And this year is no different. This is the 56th year we’ve had green beans!”
Wanda McElveen, the 1991 Woman of the Year, presented local writer Sarah Nixon with an award recognizing her years of chronicling the goings-on in eastern Gaston County.
McElveen extolled her as “this special, special person.”
“I’m speechless,” said Nixon.
Toomey and Brookshire summed up the evening.
“This is a very good event for all our citizens, young and old,” said Brookshire.
“I think our choices of Man and Woman of the Year speak very well about our community,” said Toomey.
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