As the sounds of the Ole' 74 Jazz band rang across the Town of Rutherfordton Saturday evening, more than 100 people stood around the courthouse lawn waiting for the lighting of the Christmas cedar tree. The ceremony was held after the annual Christmas parade.

Dozens of Rutherford County's U.S. Marine Corps members celebrated the 247th birthday of United States Marines at the Forest City Clubhouse recently. Across the US and the World, Marines reflected on November 10, 1775, when the Continental Congress adopted a resolution to create a Marine force composed of two battalions.

"It is good to be here with my class," Dean Huffstickler, 84, told about 20 members of the R-S Central High School graduating class of 1958. Class members get together as often as they can and recently, special guest Huffstickler attended.

One million lights

The Town of Forest City will host its annual Thanksgiving Day Christmas lighting ceremony beginning at 6:30pm November 24. The ceremony will feature live music, a guest to switch on the more than one million lights and plenty of time for shopping downtown.

For the other holiday and Christmas events, check inside today's Rutherford Weekly.

When a group of local photographers set out recently for one of their routine photo opportunity outings, it was nothing but routine.

Emarie Mayse was concerned about the hungry people in the community and asked her grandmother if they could put food in the blessing box at Florence Baptist Church, where she attends with her family.

When word came to a Sunday School class at First Baptist, Rutherfordton 20 years ago that a Forest City woman needed help because of a leaking roof, the class decided to take on the project.

One by one cancer survivors in Rutherford County walked into the Pavilion on Park Square (POPS) in Forest City on October 20, for a time of celebration. Some were accompanied by spouses, siblings, cousins and friends. A few arrived using walking canes while others arrived arm-in-arm with supporters, many expressing joy and pride to be a part of the evening of celebration in their honor.

Since 1947 Gale's Chimney Rock Shop has been a centerpiece in the Village. Owner Steve Gale grew up in his parent's store and today remains an active member of the community.

Since 1975 in September and October, Revolutionary War period re-enactors bring the Overmountain Men story alive traveling along the Overmountain Victory Trail Association's (OVTA) March from Virginia to Kings Mountain. The Battle of Kings Mountain was the turning point of the Revolutionary War and America's road to freedom.

Vicki Dameron of Union Mills has a photography exhibit "Mountains to Sea" in the Ali Pouryousefi Memorial Art Gallery, Tucker Student Center through November 21. Tucker Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 9pm, Saturday, 11am to 9pm and Sunday, 1 to 9pm.

The 2022 Hilltop Fall Festival is returning to downtown Rutherfordton on October 22 with plenty of fun for the community. Nearly 50 vendors will be on Main Street beginning at 10am and the fun concludes with fireworks at 8pm.

Ten AmeriCorps young adults are in Rutherford County working with Rutherford Housing Partnership (RHP). The Tide 3 NCCC team headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, will work with RHP through October 21, leaving on October 22.

More than 90 years ago the Colfax Free Fair in Ellenboro began at the school grounds of Hollis Road in Ellenboro in order for farmers to have a venue to display their summer crops and other wares.

The Rutherford County Swim Team has been in existence since 1986 and very successful, said longtime Coach Mike Kernodle just days before this year's open house /recruitment session on September 10 at the ICC pool. The event will include a mock practice and demonstrate all the competitive strokes. The coaches will speak with visitors and their children. Interested children may "try out" for the team by demonstrating that they are water safe.

Areas of eastern Kentucky were devastated by flooding between July 25 and July 30 with billions of dollars in property loss and dozens of lives lost. In subsequent days there was additional flooding with property losses even greater.

The family of the late Kirk Wilkerson hosted the impact Throwing Bones 2022 Not-A-Sprint event August 5 and August 6.

Paul Rodriguez came to Rutherfordton 33 years ago from Toledo, Ohio and has never looked back.

With the first day of the school year 2022-23 set to begin for students on Monday August, students all across Rutherford County have been active throughout the summer in a number of various camps.

Cora Goforth said she was told that as a three year old she was prone to pick up trash wherever she was. Whether walking with her parents, Curtis and Jennifer Goforth, in a park, along a street or around the house, if there was a piece of trash Cora grabbed it up. Trash was out of place in the environment.

Young people from across the United States and close to home have worked in Rutherford County during the past six weeks. This week the YouthWorks teams wrap up their summer mission assignments across the county.

Students from 16 schools recently participated in the 2022 Science Academy hosted by Gardner-Webb University and sponsored by the Stonecutter Foundation in Spindale. They learned about the Department of Natural Sciences at GWU and studied various aspects of science and applications, such as crime scene investigation and forensic anthropology.

When Jonathan Keeter showed up at Camp Harmony's summer camp for Special Needs children and youth recently he was beyond thrilled.

He expressed his excitement to Camp Harmony Director Nikki Brock, "It's great to be back," he told her.

When 40 Girl Scouts ages ranging from 5 to 74 gathered recently for Day Camp in Forest City the girls and their leaders spent quality time together while earning camp patches and learning new skills.

"It takes a village" is certainly the case this summer at the Rutherford County Farmers Market.