GAFFNEY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY HOMETOWN) — For so many long-time residents of Gaffney, the start of the school year has always been a time they had to mentally prepare for — students moving back into town, more traffic, and college parties lasting well into the night.

Now that the college has closed, many say what they once saw as an annoyance will now be deeply missed.

"At this time of year, we music faculty are always preparing for a faculty recital, and all of the faculty [would be] saying, 'I think I'll do this, and you do that," former Limestone University choral and vocal professor Gena Poovey said. "When I don't have that deadline of a faculty recital, that I should be practicing for, that's when probably when it's probably going to hit pretty firmly.”

For 32 years, Poovey has filled

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