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Hey Gastonia, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: ChosenCon sneak peeks, a gem and jewelry show, and The Looks consignment sale + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Gastonia protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Growing fandom on full display: ChosenCon 2026 drew over 5,500 fans to Charlotte Convention Center, with teal gear, biblical-era costumes, sneak peeks, and cast meet and greets, celebrating The Chosen up the road from Gastonia — get the highlights and announcements.

Transportation upgrade moves forward: NCDOT is widening the Catawba River bridge on Wilkinson Boulevard, adding two lanes, a raised median, and multi-use paths. The $56.6 million project is expected to finish in May — get project phases and details.

Significant apartment sale finalized: Gastonia-based Southwood Realty paid $41.39 million for the 174-unit Laurel View Apartments in Concord, closing Feb. 26. Northmarq represented the seller and cited long-term growth for the new owner — see who bought and sold.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Bid on handcrafted garden and bird treasures
• Enjoy free Shellem Cline concert
• Line dance marathon benefiting Gastonia Freedom School

🫶 We got your back

Classic counter lunch: Tony’s Ice Cream serves no-fuss classics that hit just right, like a Turkey Club, BLT, or pimento cheese, plus house-made ice cream churned next door for dessert. A counter staple that’s simple, satisfying, and a little nostalgic.

Lake loop, low stress: Whether you want an easy spin around the lakeside paved loop, a quick disc golf round, or a quiet pause on the fishing pier, Rankin Lake Park keeps the vibes low-key. It’s that close-to-home spot you revisit whenever you need a reset… simple, calm, always welcoming.

Retro treasure hunt: Red Genesis packs shelves with vintage action figures, classic game consoles, and all the Saturday morning cartoon nostalgia you crave. Browse, swap stories with staff who know their stuff, and trade in the old to chase your next score. It’s a neighborhood spot for collectors and curious rookies alike.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

👶 Baby Storytime @ Gaston County Public Library – Main Branch | Tuesday (3/10) at 11:00 AM – Baby giggles at the Main Library, yes please. Baby Storytime serves up stories, fingerplays, and songs for pre-walkers and their sleep-deprived caregivers. Stick around for 1,2,3, Play With Me, where tiny humans socialize, you swap tips, and nobody’s sprinting after a runner.

🚶 Leprechaun Trek @ The Schiele Museum of Natural History | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Channel your inner kid and follow Lucky, the museum’s resident leprechaun, on a cheeky scavenger hunt through the galleries. Expect clever clues, hidden surprises, and just enough friendly competition to keep everyone smiling. $5 with admission, free for members.

💎 2026 Gaston Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show @ Gastonia Farmers Market | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Ready for plans that actually rock? Gaston’s long-running gem and mineral show brings 25+ vendors with crystals, fossils, meteorites, and jewelry-worthy sparkle, plus free admission, free parking, a kid-hypnotizing sluice, geode cracking, food trucks, and pros who’ll ID your mystery rock for free.

🎶 Cramerton Concert Series @ Centennial Center | Friday (3/20) at 6:00 PM – Shellem Cline is taking over the Centennial Center lawn with twang, toe-taps, and just enough nostalgia to make you forget about your inbox. It’s free, family friendly, and blissfully low maintenance under the stars. Bring a chair, a blanket, and the neighbors you actually like.

🐣 Sensory Friendly Easter Eggstravaganza @ Lowell Recreation Center | Friday (3/20) at 6:00 PM – Prefer your Easter fun at a gentler volume? Lowell Rec is hosting a sensory-friendly egg hunt with music therapy by The Treble Makers, hands-on activities, a photo op with BUNZ, real bunnies, prizes, and calm vibes. Free for children with special needs, RSVP required.

🗳 Remember the Ladies @ Gaston County Public Library | Saturday (3/21) at 11:00 AM – Women’s History Month gets the hometown treatment as librarian Jane Kaylor unpacks Gaston County’s Woman’s Suffrage League, trailblazers, and the truth of cooperation, conflict, and one woman’s fight for justice. Think porch gossip with footnotes, it’s free, no RSVP unless you bring a bus.

🛍 The Looks Consignment Sale – Spring 2026 @ The Looks Sale (McAdenville) | Thursday (3/26) at 9:00 AM – The Looks Consignment Sale is back with a curated lineup of designer and boutique finds for women, the kind you pretend you paid full price for. If your closet needs a refresh, go early, bring a tote, and claim good stuff before your neighbor does.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Gastonia report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 81°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 39%

A slight chance of rain showers before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 7%

Patchy fog between 8am and 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across North Carolina but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This patio home pairs gracious living with an open flow. The living and dining area connects to the kitchen and casual dining space. A sunroom opens to a covered porch and patio, plus a gravel fire pit. Split bedrooms enhance privacy. The large room over the garage adds a TV and bar sink. Near dining, shopping, and Gaston Country Club.

Take a peek inside →