Savvy Citizen: A Gaston County Podcast

Juneteenth is right around the corner, and in this week's episode we're interviewing Stella Antley, who is going to be the Grand Marshal of Gastonia's Sixth Annual Juneteenth Parade on June 15. Stella discusses her ties to a matriarch of Gaston County history--Aunt Charlotte--and her efforts to keep her memory alive and well.

Lowell City Manager Scott Attaway and Gaston County Public Safety Manager Vincent Wong were selected as two of the Top 100 local government influencers by the Emerging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) organization earlier this year. The pair talk about their passion for public service and why they'll never forget entry-level employees. 

One of the area's most popular concert series returns -- Blues out Back. After a 6-year hiatus, Gaston County Museum of Art & History Education Manager Alex Brooks talks about what's new about the concert series, as well as some of the new performers they have on tap. 

We crossover this week with El Paso County, Colorado's "Beyond the Dais" podcast, and its host Scott Anderson. Janet Schafer and Adam Gaub talk with Scott about local government podcasting, finding new ways to connect with residents, and why Adam's dad jokes need a bit more work. 

Gaston County DHHS is mixing fun with some safety tips at its Keeping Families Safe Event at Dallas Park on Friday, June 7, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Listen to this week's show to learn more about what to expect, and why family safety is a major focus for DHHS. 

Drs. Sequina DuBose and Laura Waringer from the University of North Carolina Charlotte talk about their new original musical, "Threads," which is based on the life of Gaston County mill worker and activist Ella May Wiggins. The play is a work in progress, and a free table reading of the play is happening Wednesday, May 8, at the Loray Mill in Gastonia. 

Ashton Lamb with the Carolina Thread Trail tells us about some exciting developments in the upcoming creation of a new trail extending to the top of Spencer Mountain that will become a part of the regional trail system. 

Mt. Holly is reviving its Arbor Day celebration, and Special Events and Communications Coordinator Chloe Clary talks about why this event is important to the city's identity. 

Payton Flowers with the Gaston County Cooperative Extension comes by the studio to talk about the tree inventory work being done and why its critical to the health of Gaston County's natural environment. 

Gaston College's Athletics program may still be in its infancy, but some of its teams are already playing with (and beating) the big kids. Athletics Director and Head Baseball Coach Shohn Doty talks about why the Rhinos have had so much early success and what this means for the program's future.