Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1489200
Page 18 - shelby shopper & info - 704/484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Thursday, December 29, 2022-January 4, 2023 J. DOUGLAS J. DOUGLAS TREE SERVICE LLC TREE SERVICE LLC 704-689-9459 704-689-9459 704-276-1114 704-276-1114 +++++ TREE REMOVAL AND TRIMMING TREE REMOVAL AND TRIMMING FREE ESTIMATES FREE ESTIMATES 15+ YEARS OF 15+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE "BRING YOUR TOOLS AND PULL YOUR PARTS,WE HAVE WHAT YOU NEED!" 4805 Anthony Farm Rd. • Kings Mountain, NC (Beside Hwy 74 East) 704-739-4633 704-739-4633 WE BUY JUNK VEHICLES! WE SELL USED VEHICLES! Cherryville New Year's Shooters, Inc. will hold their annual event on Monday, January 2, at Blacks Grill at midnight and concluding at Rudisill Football Stadium on E. First Street in Cherryville at 6:30 p.m. In the interim, they will make 49 more stops to perform their New Year's ritual. The history of the Cher- ryville New Year's Shoot- ers goes back thousands of years, according to their website. The "Chant" and producing loud noise is a ritual that has been in ex- istence since the 1300's. Celebrating the "New Year" on January 1 can be linked back to the Romans in 45 BC during the reign of Julius Caesar. The act of celebrat- ing the New Year goes back at least 4,000 years to the ancient Egyptians and Baby- lonians. The pioneer immigrants that settled in the Cherryville NC area can be linked back to the area of the Rhine River in Germany. In that area of the world many Old-World customs were formed from the Bohemian, German, Scottish, Irish, and English. In the 1750's German Im- migrants settled in the Indian Creek and Howard's Creek area north of the current Cherryville. Along with the German immigrants were the Scotch-Irish, Swiss, Dutch and French. It is believed that the actual tradition is a cultural mix of all these immi- grants. The last 250 years of the tradition parallels the his- tory of the Cherryville area. Land grants from the King of England began in the mid 1700's for the area known as Anson and later Tryon County. The area along the Indian Creek began to grow from a few pioneer families to many. Names which ap- pear on early land grants and records include Black, Wise, Stroup, Beam, Horse (Huss), Houser, Baker, Whi- tesides, Homesley, Sullivan, Roberts, Eaker, Carpenter, Brown, Anthony, Havner (Heafner), Reynolds, and Cyzer (Kiser). In the 1800's the area became known as White Pines. After the railroad was built, the name was changed to Cherryville in 1865 due to the many cherry trees that were planted. Most of the early settlers came through Pennsylva- nia where the Cherryville tradition can be traced. The Philadelphia Mummers were a group who shot in the New Year going house-to-house, singing songs, shooting guns, performing dances and all were rewarded with food and drink. The early Mummers appointed a leader or speech director who recited such rhymes like this: "Here we stand before your door, As we stood the year be- fore; Give us whiskey; give us gin, Open the door and let us in." The first president, George Washington, wel- comed the tradition and was entertained by the Mummers in Philadelphia, the first capi- tal of the United States. The early Cherryville area pioneers walked house- to-house which could be very far apart and perform a version of the Mummers' New Year's Celebration. The "Chant" would be said or "cried" to the welcoming household. Then the firing of the current day weapons which were black powder muskets and pistols. After firing the loud blasts, the shooting party would be given food and drink for their due diligence of perform- ing the act. And what was the purpose of this affair? With the Old-World customs came superstition and folk- lore tales of witches and spir- its. It was believed that the loud noises would drive out demons, witches, and other non-desirable entities on the property and bless the land for the upcoming year. Since most of the pioneers were farmers and depended heav- ily on their crops, not "shoot- ing in the New Year" could be detrimental to their future success. The event today takes on the same form as it did hundreds of years ago. The shooters will go house-to- house, the family will be "called out", the speech crier will recite the "Chant" and the shooters will fire their muskets, loaded with black powder only-without bullets, until all have fired. The mus- kets used today are originals and reproduction models from the 1800's. After the shooting, the guests are treated with refreshments or gifts. The refreshments may be a full meal or just a treat such as a cigar or apple. Cherryville NC is the only place on earth that the event still takes place. The Phila- delphia Mummers continues today with a New Year's Day parade but without the "Chant" or musket blasts. The tradition centers around the "Chant". The origin of the "Chant" is un- known, but part of the cur- rent version can be found in a circa 1777 hymn-prayer by British writer John New- ton called "Time by mo- ments steals away". The version that is cried today is of older English style gram- mar. Hearing the mysterious "Chant" is a must to get the full intent of its sayings. It is part sermon, song, poem, and speech with religious and spiritual under tones in its three-minute version. A lady's version is also avail- able but is rarely cried. Today the Cherryville New Year's Shooters group consists of 450 members and travels to approximately 50 locations in the Cher- ryville area. The group starts at Midnight on January 1st of each year and shoots for 18 straight hours ending at the Rudisill Football Stadium in Cherryville. Some of the families and homes are the same ances- tors of 250 years ago. Shoot- ing still takes place along the Indian Creek, Howard's Creek, and Bethpage area as it did some 250 years ago. Many of today's shooters are of the same bloodline as the early pioneer shooters. Cherryville New Year's Shooters begin new year with a blast Cherryville New Year's Shooters, Inc. travel throughout Cherryville on New Year's, a tradition that has carried on since the 1800s. This year's event is on January 2. Photo by Cherryville New Year's Shooters, Inc. (Family Features) The health community has long praised the benefits of vitamins and nutrients derived from natural sources. For those look- ing to improve their health or take preventa- tive measures, these 10 natural super foods can be incorporated into your daily diet to help support your health: Green Tea - Armed with a special type of antioxidants called poly- phenols, green tea can decrease plaque formed in the arteries and can fight prostate cancer. Rosemary - Studies have shown this powerful spice can reduce the risk of stroke, as well as pro- tect against Alzheimer's disease. Almonds - Full of plant sterols and amino acids, almonds can help lower high cholesterol and promote muscle growth. These handheld treats are also rich in vita- min E, which can protect skin from sun damage. Fatty Fish - Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fatty fish such as salmon, flounder and sardines can lower the risk of heart disease. Bananas - This easy, portable snack is loaded with essential potassium, which regulates the ner- vous system. Bananas also offer loads of vitamin B-6, which aids immunity and metabolism. Whole Grains - These powerful body defend- ers have been known to boost immunity, protect against various cancers and reduce cholesterol. Eggs - These energy- packed breakfast favor- ites contain a special type of protein that helps build muscle strength more than other pro- teins. When compared to other breakfast foods, eggs can also keep you feeling fuller longer with fewer calories and fat. Spinach - Chock- full of magnesium, po- tassium and various vitamins and nutrients, spinach can prevent clogged arteries and pro- tect against prostate and colon cancers. Soy - This protein- packed food contains iso- flavones, which can aid in treatment and prevention of prostate cancer. Also, research from the Food and Drug Administration shows that 25 grams per day can help lessen the risk of heart disease. Dark Chocolate - Sat- isfy your sweet tooth and improve blood flow to the brain at the same time. Dark chocolate can also lower blood pressure and increase skin's re- sistance to UV rays. Find more health-con- scious tips at eLivingTo- day.com. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Super Foods for a Nutritious Diet