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This week on Gaston’s Great, Steven sits down with longtime friend and local business leader Mike Sumner, CEO of The Sumner Group! 🌟 With nearly 40 years in business and a passion for community, Mike shares his journey in marketing, his time leading the Chamber of Commerce, and what continues to drive his creative vision in Gaston County. 💼🎉

👉 Learn more about The Sumner Group and connect with them here:
🌐 https://www.sumnergroup.com/

SOCIALS:

Instagram: Click here

🔊 Thank you for listening to Gaston's Great! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you great content!

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This week on Gaston’s Great, Steven Long chats with hometown hero Jennifer Thomas—Market President of South State Bank and full-on Gaston County superfan! 🎉 Jen’s journey takes us from Ashbrook High to Gaston College to Belmont Abbey, and now she’s making major moves in local banking. 💼✨ Hear how her Gaston roots shaped her path, why she’s passionate about people, and how she’s helping our community grow one relationship at a time. You don’t want to miss this feel-good convo with someone who truly gets Gaston! 💙🙌 #GastonsGreat #HometownVibes #GastonGrown #BankingWithHeart

WATCH NOW

👉 Learn more about South State Bank and connect with them here:
🌐 http://southstatebank.com/global/location-detail/503/519-s-new-hope-rd

🔊 Thank you for listening to Gaston's Great! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you great content!

💬 Join the Conversation: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay updated on the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

📧 Get in Touch: Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@gastonsgreat.com. We’d love to hear from you!

📅 Stay Tuned: Don’t miss our next episode! We release new episodes every Thursday, so be sure to subscribe and stay connected.

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This 4th of July, Gaston’s Great is lighting up the airwaves with something truly patriotic. Steven brings the Declaration of Independence to life in a powerful reading of the document that sparked a revolution and forever changed history. Celebrate freedom, courage, and the American spirit—tune in while the grills are sizzling and the fireworks are flying! 🎆🗽

#IndependenceDay #4thOfJuly #DeclarationOfIndependence #Freedom #AmericanHistory #Patriotism #GastonsGreat #StevenReadsHistory

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🔊 Thank you for listening to Gaston's Great! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you great content!

💬 Join the Conversation: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay updated on the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

📧 Get in Touch: Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@gastonsgreat.com. We’d love to hear from you!

📅 Stay Tuned: Don’t miss our next episode! We release new episodes every Thursday, so be sure to subscribe and stay connected.

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In this special Independence Day episode of Gaston's Great, we're celebrating the spirit of freedom and patriotism with a reading of the Declaration of Independence by our very own Steven. Join us as we take a journey back to 1776, honoring the courageous visionaries who laid the foundation for the United States of America.

Tune in, share with friends and family, and let's celebrate the birth of our nation together! Don't miss out on this inspiring tribute to America's founding document.

#IndependenceDay #4thOfJuly #DeclarationOfIndependence #Freedom #AmericanHistory #Patriotism #GastonsGreat #StevenReadsHistory

🔊 Thank you for listening to Gaston's Great! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you great content!

💬 Join the Conversation: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay updated on the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

📧 Get in Touch: Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@gastonsgreat.com. We’d love to hear from you!

📅 Stay Tuned: Don’t miss our next episode! We release new episodes every Thursday, so be sure to subscribe and stay connected.

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This week on Gaston’s Great, we’re joined by Greg Dills—CEO of Page Power Systems, co-president of the Rotary Club, and one of Gaston County’s most respected leaders. But before all that? He was just Steven’s elementary school friend. 💼 Tune in as they talk about Greg’s journey in business, leadership, and community service, plus a few laughs and memories from growing up together in Gastonia. It’s a powerful mix of friendship, impact, and local pride you won’t want to miss!

WATCH NOW

👉Learn more about Page Power Systems here:
🌐https://www.pagepowersystems.com/

🔊 Thank you for listening to Gaston's Great! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you great content!

💬 Join the Conversation: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay updated on the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

📧 Get in Touch: Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@gastonsgreat.com. We’d love to hear from you!

📅 Stay Tuned: Don’t miss our next episode! We release new episodes every Thursday, so be sure to subscribe and stay connected.

🔊 Thank you for listening to Gaston's Great! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you great content!

💬 Join the Conversation: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay updated on the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

📧 Get in Touch: Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@gastonsgreat.com. We’d love to hear from you!

📅 Stay Tuned: Don’t miss our next episode! We release new episodes every Thursday, so be sure to subscribe and stay connected.

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On this episode of Gaston's Great, we sit down with Steve D'Avria, Senior Vice President of the Gaston Business Association. From his early days at the Gaston County YMCA to leading initiatives in operations, communications, and downtown development, Steve shares his passion for strengthening our local business community.

We dive into the evolution of downtown Gastonia, the importance of strategic partnerships, and what’s next for business growth across the region. As a bonus, Steve brings along a sweet treat from Downstairs Ice Cream—a new local shop that just opened on February 13th, 2025—for a quick taste test with Steven and Rachel!

He closes the episode with a quote worth pondering:
“Preach the gospel, use words if need be.”

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, community, and the future of Gaston County.

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👉 Learn more about The Gaston Business Association and connect with them here:
🌐 https://www.gastonbusiness.com/

📱SOCIALS:

https://www.facebook.com/gaston.business/

https://www.instagram.com/gastonbusinessassociation/

🔊 Thank you for listening to Gaston's Great! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you great content!

💬 Join the Conversation: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay updated on the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

📧 Get in Touch: Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@gastonsgreat.com. We’d love to hear from you!

📅 Stay Tuned: Don’t miss our next episode! We release new episodes every Thursday, so be sure to subscribe and stay connected.

🔊 Thank you for listening to Gaston's Great! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you great content!

💬 Join the Conversation: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay updated on the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

📧 Get in Touch: Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@gastonsgreat.com. We’d love to hear from you!

📅 Stay Tuned: Don’t miss our next episode! We release new episodes every Thursday, so be sure to subscribe and stay connected.

Send us a text

This week on Gaston’s Great, we welcome Adrien Sanders, the Recovery Court Coordinator for Gaston County, whose mission goes far beyond the legal system. Adrien speaks with clarity, compassion, and conviction about the need to see individuals in recovery not as former addicts, but as people — human beings worthy of dignity, belonging, and hope. In a society that too often defines others by their lowest moments, Adrien advocates for a shift in perspective: one that centers empathy, accountability, and the belief that transformation is always possible. This conversation is a powerful reminder that recovery is not just about breaking free from addiction — it’s about reclaiming identity, rebuilding lives, and restoring what was once lost.

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👉 Learn more about Least of These Carolinas and connect with them here:
🌐 WEBSITE
📱SOCIALS:

Instagram

Facebook

🔊 Thank you for listening to Gaston's Great! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you great content!

💬 Join the Conversation: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay updated on the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

📧 Get in Touch: Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@gastonsgreat.com. We’d love to hear from you!

📅 Stay Tuned: Don’t miss our next episode! We release new episodes every Thursday, so be sure to subscribe and stay connected.

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This is a re-release of episode 128!

In this episode, we sit down with Susanna Kavanaugh, Executive Director of Least of These Carolinas, a nonprofit making a powerful impact in the lives of foster children and families. Susanna shares the heart behind the organization, the real-life needs they meet daily, and their vision for the future. Whether you're passionate about child advocacy, looking for ways to support local families, or just love hearing stories of hope and purpose—this episode is for you.

WATCH NOW

👉 Learn more about Least of These Carolinas and connect with them here:
🌐 WEBSITE
📱SOCIALS:

Instagram

Facebook

🔊 Thank you for listening to Gaston's Great! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you great content!

💬 Join the Conversation: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay updated on the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

📧 Get in Touch: Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@gastonsgreat.com. We’d love to hear from you!

📅 Stay Tuned: Don’t miss our next episode! We release new episodes every Thursday, so be sure to subscribe and stay connected.