Gaston Rural Fire District

We gathered at the station on June 28 to celebrate the careers of Assistant Chief Ronald 'Chip' Hoodenpyl and Division Chief Galen Hoodenpyl.

Chip (left) served with distinction for 41 years, all as a volunteer, following in the footsteps of his father, Ron, who was with the district for five decades, including 36 years as chief. Two of his brothers also have served the district.

The Laurelwood Seventh-day Adventist Church invited us to visit the Strawberry Social and farmers market on Sunday, June 27. Here's a video of the fun.

And the awards go to ...

About a year ago, Aaron Miller saw a poster about a firefighter academy starting the next day. On a whim he stopped by and signed up.

He completed the Firefighter I academy. Then the Firefighter II academy. He's dedicated countless hours at drills and calls, and even more helping out at the station doing any type of chore we need.

Fellow volunteers elected him Sergeant at Arms of the Gaston Volunteer Fire Department. He helps out at events, even helps instruct drills.

Megan Reynolds dreamed of a career in law enforcement.

But her plans began to change in 2007 when she signed up for a fire science class at Gaston High School. Soon she followed in the footsteps of older brothers Darren and Tyler and became a Gaston Fire volunteer.

A Gaston Fire lieutenant spent more than a half hour in a Laurelwood-area creek to calm a stuck horse until enough help could arrive to pull her to safety.