Gaston's Great

Released June of 2021.  This is one of our most popular episodes! Episode 4 featured Amy Spencer (Executive Director) from the Gaston County Education Foundation! In this episode we highlight a variety of topics from the mission of the foundation, their current and past initiatives for the community and our school system, how they contribute to the well-being of the Gaston County area, and much mo...

Episode 50 featuring Jill Hendrix (Director of Apprenticeship 321 at Gaston College) and Tyrone Alexander (Facilities Engineer at Freightliner). We're very excited to have reached our 50th episode of Gaston's Great! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including the founding principles of the organization, their mission for providing an outlet of growth for the youth of our...

Episode 49 featuring Eric Wilson from Youth Kingdom Development! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including the founding principles of the organization, their mission for providing an outlet of growth for the youth of our community through academics and basketball, their current and future initiatives for expansion, and much more! To learn more about Youth Kingdom Development, to...

Episode 48 featuring Dale Melton (CEO) from Covenant Village! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including the history and services provided by Covenant Village, their mission for providing a better living and medical situation for members of our community, their current and future initiatives, and much more! To learn more about Covenant Village, to volunteer/get involved,  or to fo...

Episode 47 featuring Chelsea Valentine (Business Services Representative at GCWDB), Claudette Argabrite (Manager at NC Works), and Donna Caskey (Hiring Director at GSM Services)! In this unique episode, we highlight a variety of topics including the resources and services available through the Gaston County Workforce Development Board and NC Works, their mission for providing a connection between...

Episode 46 featuring husband and wife team Brittany and Phillip Bryson from Bunny Blessings! Who doesn't love interacting with fluffy rabbits? In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including the history of their ministry, their mission for providing forms of therapy and fun through bunny interaction, their current and future initiatives for expanding their organization, and much m...

Episode 45 featuring Heather Kauffman (Program Manager) and Debbie Gulledge (Assistant District Attorney) from The Lighthouse Children's Advocacy Center. In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including the history of the organization, their mission for aiding children and families dealing with suspected child abuse, their current and future initiatives for their new building locat...

Episode 44 featuring Janet Schafer and Adam Gaub from the Savvy Citizen Podcast, with Steven Long and Elisabeth King from Gaston's Great. This episode is unlike any other! Join the members of each podcast as we discuss our podcast history, our favorite episodes, favorite podcasts, Gaston County questions, and more! To learn more about the Savvy Citizen Podcast, click the links below: Website:...

Episode 43 featuring Brandie Meeks from RAMS Kitchen! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including the history of RAMS Kitchen, their mission for providing healthy meals with affordable prices, their current and future initiatives for expanding their locations and staff, their wishes for the future, and more! To learn more about Crowders Camps, to get involved,  or to follow them on...

Episode 42 featuring Jay Oliver (Executive Director) from Crowders Camps! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including the history and foundation of Crowders Camps, their mission for helping students grow in their faith, relationships, and in the community around them, their current and future initiatives for expanding their camps and age groups, their wishes for the future, and mor...

Episode 41 featuring Chip Harrison (Gaston County Bar Association) and Officer A.I. Jaimes (Gastonia Police Department) from the Catch Me on the Court Basketball event! In this episode, we are highlighting a special event coming up in April. This game will see Gaston County attorneys and Gaston County police officers go head to head in a charity basketball tournament! All proceeds from this event...

Episode 40 featuring Tammy and Nazrul Chowdhury from the organization Remembering Austin! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including the history of the organization, their mission for spreading awareness about the causes of addiction, their current and future initiatives for providing more education on the matter to our community, their wishes for the future, and more! To learn mo...

Episode 39 featuring Juliann Lehman (Administrator) and Robert Stroud (Municipal Arborist for City of Gastonia) from Keep Gastonia Beautiful! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including their mission to simply keep Gastonia clean and vibrant, their current and future initiatives for bringing more awareness to their upcoming projects and events, their wishes for the future, and more...

Episode 38 featuring Michelle Petty (Community Outreach Liason) from Gaston Hospice! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including their mission for providing quality care to patients and families in need of service, their current and future initiatives for expanding their volunteer program, their wishes for the future, and more! To learn more about Gaston Hospice, to get involved, ...

Episode 37 featuring Milinda Kirkpatrick (Executive Director) and Patrice Gibson (Development Director) from Shining Hope Farms! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including their mission for providing a variety of therapy resources including therapeutic ridings, veterans programs etc., their current and future initiatives for expanding their services and locations, their wishes for...

Episode 36 featuring Erin Wiggins and Ernest Sumner from the Gaston Community Foundation! In this unique episode, we are highlighting the Community Foundation Run event which will take place on April 9, 2022. This event is well-loved by our community, and allows for nonprofit awareness and beneficial funding. On the day of the event, over 5,000 people come together to celebrate!  To learn more abo...

Episode 35 featuring Terry Kenny (Executive Director of the Gaston Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic) and Stephanie Rauch (President of the Board for the Animal League of Gaston County)! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including their mission for providing low-cost services to families and animals in need, their current and future initiatives including creating an emergency vet hospita...

Episode 34 featuring Andrew Pierce (Adult Services Supervisor) and Emily Winfrey (Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator)  from the Gaston County Public Library! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including the library's mission to provide a variety of resources and services to the community,  their current and future initiatives for growing their programs and staff, t...

Episode 33 featuring Erin Wiggins (Program Officer for the Gaston Community Foundation) and Sam Cook (Member) from Teens Changing Gaston County. In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including the program's mission to advise young adults on the importance of caring for their community,  their current and future initiatives for growing their individual programs and member count, th...

Episode 32 featuring Kim Wheeler (Executive Director) and Jenny Moran (Volunteer Coordinator & Finance Administrator) from Crisis Assistance Ministry in Gastonia. In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including their mission to provide emergency assistance to those in need of aid in our community,  their current and future initiatives for growing their volunteer programs, their hop...

Episode 31 featuring Wayne Grubaugh (District 37 Parliamentarian and Treasurer)  and Reine Smirz (Vice President of Public Relations) from the Gastonia Toastmasters Club. In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including their mission to provide meetings and programs to those looking to further their presentation and speech skills, their current and future initiatives for expanding their...

Episode 30 featuring Roxann Jimison (Executive Director) and Keisha Moore (Program Director) from the Dream Center Academy! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including their mission to provide educational classes and programs to local middle and high school students, their current and future initiatives for growing not only their space but also their student capacity, their hopes a...

Episode 29 featuring Cam Tracy (President) and Dorothy Lodge (Vice President) from the Gaston County Art Guild! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including their mission to provide programs, events, and assistance to artists, their current and future initiatives, their hopes and wishes for the coming years, and much more! To learn more about the Gaston County Art Guild, to get invo...

Episode 28 featuring Jason Luker (Director) from the Gaston County Museum of Art & History! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including their mission to provide awareness and education on the importance of local art and history,  their current and future initiatives for growing their exhibits and the overall museum, their hopes and wishes for the coming years, and much more! To...

Episode 27 featuring Angela Burgess (CEO) from Gaston Association of Realtors! In this episode, we highlight a variety of topics including their mission to grow their organization and their members, their current and future initiatives for our current real estate market, their hopes and wishes for the coming years, and much more! To learn more about Gaston Association of Realtors, to get involved,...