Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley hosted a "Mortgage Burning" for Glenda Hall Queen to celebrate the final payment on her Habitat home.  The celebration included a neighborhood cook-out at Blue Sky Acres, Habitat's development off Robinson Road.  Frank & Ann Aichinger of New Vision Church of Conover, N.C. grilled hot dogs for everyone.  This event is only the third time in the affiliate's 26 year history that a homeowner has reached the goal of completely paying off their mortgage.  (Most mortgages are for 25-30 years, therefore many more homeowners will follow in upcoming years.)

Glenda's house was the 4th house built by Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley.  The house was built in 1991 in Newton, N.C.  Glenda was a single mother working at a nursing home and working sweat equity hours as well to provide a safe home for her family.  She was living with her mother who read an article in the Hickory Daily Record about Habitat.  She told her daughter she shoudl call to see if she would qualify.  Her mother attended the ceremony and Glenda thanked her mother, saying she was "glad her mother mother read the paper"!  she is now married, living with her husband in his house but she wanted to keep her house for her family.  Her grandson is now the 3rd generation to live in her first house.  She has left a legacy to her children.