Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping those in need of food in Rutherford County. Call for schedule of give away 828-287-2207. Operated through prayer, volunteers & donations. 225 West Main St.  Spindale, NC.

Stainless Ministries
Food Distribution every Monday from 9am until 1pm at the Old Dunbar Community Center. Come and be Blessed!

The Military Order of Purple Heart
Is starting a chapter in the Forest City, NC area and is seeking all veterans of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard who has been combat wounded in America’s wars and have received the Purple Heart medal. For info or to join, write or call Peter Meletis; 1007 Briarcliff Rd., Mooresville, NC 28115, 704-664-7766 or write Bailey Gillespie; POB 365 Spindale, NC 28160.

Farmers Market-Columbus, NC.
Now Open! 8am-12pm at the Courthouse Square. Veggies, Breads, Meat & Eggs, Crafts. Keep It Local!

Rutherfordton 225th Anniversary Celebration
In planning for The 225th Anniversary celebration of Rutherfordton, Rutherford County’s county seat, the education subcommittee is looking for pictures and/ or information regarding any schools that have existed in Rutherford County, particularly the earliest schools. If you have information or pictures, please contact Phillip White at 828-657-6139 or Robin Salicki at: rsalicki@rcsnc.org or 828-305- 8666.

2nd Annual MILES FOR MESSIAH
5K Run/Walk, Kids Fun Run, 25 & 60 Mile Bike Ride at Pleasant View Community Church (129 Michael Dr., Forest City) on Sat. April 28, rain or shine. 5K starts at 8am, Fun Run to follow, Bike rides start at 9am. Race day registration start at 7am. Online registration & info available at www.rutherfordoutdoor.org Info: Alicia James 828-755-1098. Proceeds go to the P.V.C.C. Youth.

Yard/Bake & Hot Dog Sale
Benefit for Pat Black Owensby on Sat. April 28, 7am-12:30pm at Rutherford County Moose Lodge. Pat is fighting liver cancer for the 2nd time. All proceeds will go toward medical expenses.

Buffet Breakfast & Plant a Tomato
Gilkey School Community Center Sat. April 28, 7am-10:30am. For kids 12 and under we will have Tomato plants, buckets & soil for planting, each child will be able to take it home and watch it grow.

Hopewell-Hollis Ruritan
Bake Sale Sat. May 12, 9am until at Needmore Store in Ellenboro. Proceeds for Ruritan Club.

Storehouse Pantry
Indoor Yard Sale Sat. April 28, 8am-4pm. Located at the Tri-City Mall, Forest City. Proceeds for food pantry. Lots of good bargains, clothing, household, wide variety of items.

Complimentary Banquet
The Community is Invited to join Jim Wells at a Wycliffe Associates Banquet on Mon. April 30, 7pm at the Carolina Conference Center; 374 Hudlow Rd. Forest City.

ICC Classes In May
•Introduction to Quickbooks •Notary Public •NC Concealed Carry Handgun Certification •Yoga
To register, or for more info please call the Continuing Education Dept.  at 828-286-3636  ext. 346, or visit www.isothermal.edu/learnstuff

Riding For A Cure
The 4th annual ‘Equestrians for the Cure” trail ride to fight Multiple Sclerosis held May 5th. The location will be Hollis, NC. The cost is $30.00 per rider, includes a t-shirt & lunch. Proceeds go to National Multiple Sclerosis Society to be used for research. Any business that would like to be a sponsor can have their business advertised on the t-shirt for a $100 donation. For more info or to register please call Jenene Philbeck at 704-418-2664.

RS Youth Football & Cheerleading Assoc.
Early Sign-ups for the 2012 Fall Youth Football & Cheerleading season. Open to all children 5-12.  Sat. May 5, 9am-5pm. Find our table at MayFest downtown Rutherfordton! Special early registration! Please bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate. Info: 828-286-7686.

Bill’s Creek VFD Fundraiser
Antique Tractor and Engine Show will be May 11 & 12, 7am until. 104 Landmark Drive, Bills Creek Rd. Lake Lure. Breakfast, hotdogs & hamburgers served. Trophies awarded May 12, 3pm.

Fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children Hospital
The Anchor Club is having their 2nd Annual Talent Show at East Rutherford High School on May 17, 6:30pm. Michael Jackson dance enthusiast and tribute artist, “MJ” Milam, will be performing as our special guest. Hotdogs & baked goods available.

Pilot Club - Lights of Love
The Pilot Club of Rutherford County will present Lights of Love around the lake at ICC on Sat. May 19, beginning at dusk. Individualized luminaries may be purchased from any Pilot Club member for $2.00 in Honor or Memory of a family member, friend, team, graduate, anniversary, new baby, etc.  Watch for Pilots selling Lights of Love at Smith Drug & Spindale Drug throughout April & at the Pilot booth during MayFest. Info or to order, phone Donna Ohmstead 828-429-0258.

Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis
Great Strides 2012 - Sat. May 26th at Isothermal Community College. Check in 9am, walk starts at 10am. Form a team and walk to support and honor the children and young adults who have lost their battle and those who continue to fight cystic fibrosis. For more info visit www.cff.org/great_strides. One day CF will stand for Cure Found.

Talent Show
S.D.O Volunteer Fire Dept. is hosting its very first talent show. Held at Bethany Baptist Church on Aug. 18. For sign up and more info, please call Heather Green @ 828-447-0537. Open to everyone.

Hospice In Need of Items
Trash bags, laundry detergent, cleaning products dish detergent, Lysol spray, liquid hand soap, paper towels, Kleenex tissue, toilet tissue, etc. Info: 828-245-0095.

Grace of God Needed Items
Sectional plates, bowls, plastic forks & spoons, cups, napkins, paper towels, gallon canned foods, personal hygiene items, coffee, sugar & cleaning items. 828-245-9141.

Blood Drives
•Wed. May 9, 11am-3:30pm at Rutherford Co. Building (Rutherfordton) Call Debra Connor 828-287-6061 for appt. •Fri. May 11, 10am-2:30pm @ Lowe’s Forest City. Call Ashley Loaces 828-351-1023 for appt. •Mon. May 14, 1pm-5:30pm @ American Red Cross Rutherford Chapter Forest City. Call Eric Kehres 828-989-3126 for appt. •Wed. May 16, 12pm-5pm @ Rutherford Regional Health Systems (Rutherfordton) Call Ginger Dancy 828-286-5338 for appt. •Wed. May 23, 3pm-7:30pm @ Concord Baptist Church (Bostic) Call Kim Jones 828-245-6130 for appt. •Sat. May 26, 7:30am-12pm @ Cliffside Masonic Lodge. Call Wayne Millis at 828-429-0212 for appt.

Are You Ok Phone Reassurance Program
Designed to check on senior citizens & help them & their family have peace of mind. Program provides a knowledge that someone cares and will check on them daily. No cost for this program. Contact Lt. Godlock 828-287-6395, Rutherford Co. Sheriff Office.

Crime Stoppers of Rutherford County
Is a program established for the purpose of obtaining information about criminal activity & fugitive felons. Have information about a crime? Report is anonymously. Info could get you a cash reward. 828-286-8477.

Bingo at the VFW
Every Thursday night at 6PM. Refreshments & food are available for purchase. The top prize for the last game is $500. Proceeds from bingo benefit veterans in the surrounding communities. Located on Withrow Road. Forest City.

Stop Smoking Now
Free stop smoking classes are offered at Rutherford Regional Cancer Resource Center on Monday evenings from 4-5pm. For more info or to register; 828-245-4596.

The American Legion Post 423
We now have a charter for “Sons of American Legion”! Meets 1st Monday of every month at the Legion Building located on Boss Moore Rd., Caroleen. Supper at 6pm, meeting at 7pm. Info: Johnny Lowery 828-657-6145.

Gilkey Chain Gang
Meets Saturdays from 2-3:30pm at Gilkey School Community Center (this is the old Gilkey Elementary School)If you love to crochet, or love to knit, or you want to learn. All ages are welcome. Free. Bring a crochet hook or knitting needles and yarn. Info 828-289-2563.