Savvy Citizen: A Gaston County Podcast

Steve D'Avria from the Gaston Business Association and Molly Prescott from Downtown Gastonia's Faded Cuts & Shaves join the show today to discuss business development and downtown revitalization.

Pastor Shannon Williams of Finish Line Christian Center in Mount Holly joins host Adam Gaub to talk about how he spent five days living as a homeless person in order to gain a better understanding of their plight. He recorded a documentary of this experience that will be available online. A watch party for the first episode is being held on Sunday, August 4, at Finish Line Christian Center at 6 pm.

As she prepares for retirement, Gaston County Parks & Recreation Director Cathy Hart talks about some of her favorite memories in her decades of public service to Gaston County residents. 

Savvy Citizen is celebrating its 200th episode! Thank you to all our listeners for your support and feedback over the last four years. On the show, we take you behind the scenes at the Government Access Channel -- another great way of getting information about Gaston County. 

Danette Dye from the City of Gastonia stops by the studio to talk about an upcoming home ownership seminar with information on down payment assistance programs and more.

Local teacher and artist Laura Sexton talks to Savvy Citizen about a special project she's taken on for the Blumenthal Arts Center taking used grocery bags and turning them into a special work of art. Learn more about how you can help contribute and where you can see the finished project this September. 

Play ball! Jo-D Franklin from Bessemer City Parks & Rec and Brandon Black from Gaston County Tourism Development join us today to talk about the upcoming NC Dixie Softball Tournament 2024 that's bringing over 60 teams to Gaston County this weekend. They discuss the importance of sports tourism in Gaston County, its impact on local businesses, and the opening ceremony that's happening on July 5.

Happy Fiscal New Year, everybody! In this installment of our annual county budget episode, host Adam Gaub talks to Janet Schafer and Elizabeth McGee from the Budget and Strategy office about all the behind-the-scenes work it takes to put the budget together. They discuss inflation, define terms such as "natural growth," and declare their Fiscal New Year Resolutions. 

Local author Dr. Dixie Abernathy joins the show to talk about how she began her writing career, the interesting story behind her pen name, and some details of her upcoming novel. Check it out! (Get it? Like a library?)

Gaston County native Kyndal Knight returns to the show to talk about her participation in the diving trials happening this month for the 2024 Olympic Games. She discusses her training, her backstory, and what's been happening since she last appeared on the show.