Gaston/Catawba News

Trail opening: The city of Newton, Catawba Valley Heritage Alliance and Lightning Cycles recently celebrated the opening of the new Woodland Loop Trail at Jacob Fork Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. During the event, Newton Mayor Ann Stedman and Catawba Valley Heritage Alliance President Kenyon Kelly acknowledged the organizations that helped complete the trail project.

Something wonderful is happening at Sherwood Elementary School in Gastonia, and it has captivated my attention.

Cherryville’s Trent Friday is fast.

The Hickory Crawdads and the Atlanta Braves play in different leagues, in different ballparks, and at different levels of the professional baseball ladder.

Kids in College: Lenoir-Rhyne University will sponsor a Kids in College summer program for academically gifted elementary and middle school students.

Swinging Under the Stars: The sixth annual Swinging Under the Stars swing dance event will be held 6-10 p.m. May 26 at the Sails on the Square in downtown Hickory. The dance is free and open to the public. Live music will be provided by the Hickory Jazz Orchestra with opening entertainment by the Hickory High School jazz band at 6 p.m. Hal Rowe of WHKY will be the host of the event. Free dance lessons will be available at 5 p.m. in the flag court.

Hedges heads to nationals: Belmont Abbey College senior and men’s golf team member Adam Hedges recently advanced to the National Championships May 20-24 in Hershey, Penn. A first-team All-American, he will play as an individual competitor.

The Mooresville Artist Guild and Dale Jr. Foundation have come up with an artistic way for fans to pay tribute to NASCAR’s popular driver and also raise money to renovate the historic depot where the guild hosts its art shows.

Tammie Davis and daughter Brittani Manning had visions of a better life and saw education as the key to getting there. They carpooled to the Dallas campus of Gaston College. They encouraged each other, and shared a difficult but rewarding journey. Tuesday, mother and daughter will receive college diplomas during Gaston College’s 2013 Spring Graduation Ceremony at Bojangles’ Coliseum.

Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Road, Asheville. 828-606-2702. www.mountainsportsfestival.com.