Rolling onto the Court Philippe Chatrier in Paris, with his tennis gear in his lap, Conner Stroud, 24, of Rutherford County wore an unforgettable smile that resonated with his hometown, family and friends around the world.

Jerry Kirby is accustomed to answering questions about his bright orange 1972 Pontiac GTO classic while attending car shows. He answered several questions when he drove the car to the Hot Rides Cool Nights Car Show in Forest City recently.

JJ Ervin is heading across the United States this fall to watch his favorite NFL team play football -- the Seattle Seahawks.

Five years ago on June 25, 2019, Josh and Deana Hallman of Ellenboro received the most horrific news of their lives. Their 16-year-old daughter, Olivia Jordan Hallman, was killed in a car crash on Bostic-Sunshine Highway.

On a picture perfect July 27 Saturday morning, the late Rev. Billy Honeycutt's wife, Terry, their children, John and Beth, grandchildren and friends, gathered to dedicate a swing in loving memory of Honeycutt. The swing is at the corner of 2nd and Cleghorn streets in Rutherfordton, just beyond the Purple Martin Trail.

Like some people, Randy Whitener grew up with an excitement for rodeos, especially bull riding - via the television screen. There was a certain enthusiasm for a young boy to watch a cowboy get his hand securely wrapped with bull rope in order for the rope not strip from his hand as the chute opened and the bull ride began.

The Rutherford County Library System has loaded up its bright new teal bookmobile and is headed to outlying areas across the county. Although the premiere stop for the bookmobile occurred on Wednesday, July 10 in Green Hill, the full schedule for all stops will be released the first of August. After a 30-year hiatus when the bookmobile came off the road (1990s) the new bookmobile has people across Rutherford County quite excited to see these wheels rolling again.

Katie Krueger, 22, the area director for YouthWorks in Rutherford County, has been coordinating mission projects here with dozens of volunteers and adult leaders since June. The final YouthWorks team leaves the first week of August and their impact on Rutherford County has been amazing, said those who have worked with the youth.

A photography student at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, and a member of the Illinois Army National Guard, is spending her summer of 2024 in Forest City, photographing the Coastal Plain League's Forest City Owls.

The week of July 6th marks the 10th anniversary of the first horse show ever hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring. The occasion will be marked at Saturday Night Lights with special fanfare surrounding the $120,000 Camp Electric Co. Grand Prix CSI 3*.

Family fun, food, games, live music and fireworks are all on tap for the July 4 holiday weekend festivities in Rutherford County and across the region.

It's summer. Look around. There are numerous activities everywhere for children and youth reminding us the warmest season is upon us.

Among the most popular is swimming as more than 120 children and young people are involved in the sport.

The 2024 Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Summer Games concluded June 2 and more than 20 Special Olympics athletes from Rutherford County returned home winners in their respective games. Accompanying the athletes were 19 coaches, chaperones, family and friends from Rutherford County.

Volunteers are helping to wash clothes for those who've been flooded out as well as offering shower facilities for the victims.

While in Texas, volunteers are stationed at Dorcas Wills Memorial Baptist Church.

The Griffith Rutherford Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is pleased to announce the winners of the State JAC, Southeastern Division (seven southeastern states) and National levels of judging of the 2023-2024 Junior American Citizens Contest (JAC).

Vietnam War veteran, Steve McCurry, was emotional when he recalled his trip to Washington, DC with the Blue Ridge Honor Flight in April. McCurry, who spent a year in Vietnam during the war, had never been to Washington before and said he will never forget the experience.

The Clinchfield Carolina and Ohio (CC&O) caboose 1021 came to its new home in Ellenboro from Erwin, Tennessee last month to a crowd of well wishers cheering its arrival.

Standing at a long table on the patio at On Main in Spindale recently, Josephine Nsubuga of Uganda, Africa, greeted visitors as they looked at the beautiful, colorful handmade crafts she brought to Rutherford County from her home 7,500 miles away.

Twenty-four high school and middle school students from Rutherford County and one from Cleveland County visited college campuses during a Spring Break tour across the southeast sponsored by LEAP -- Leaders & Entrepreneurs for the Advancement& Promotion of Youth--a nonprofit begun in 2020 in Forest City.

Little Charlie wasn't expected to ever be able to speak after he was born with complications that would hinder his speech. Some years later he was brought to The Church of the Exceptional where he attended church with others with special needs from across the county.

Ruff'ton Roots Community Garden is hosting its Plant Sale on Saturday, April 27 under the shade sails at 128 Hospital Drive, Rutherfordton. The sale begins at 10am and continues until 1pm or until sold out.

(Angela Bendord Jamison wrote portions of this story, published some years ago in Carolina Country. The story is relevant today as the New Hope Valley Railway celebration the weekend of April 20 and April 21 includes an exhibit of Cliffside Railroad 110. Jamison runs Communicopia Marketing Services in Wake Forest.)

The New Hope Valley Railway (NHVR) in Bonsal acquired the historic steam locomotive, "Cliffside Railroad 110," about a decade ago and is in the process of restoring it. The steam locomotive was in residence at Stone Mountain Park, Ga. for about 60 years, before it was returned to North Carolina. The Stone Mountain Memorial Association, which manages the park, gave this old-time engine to NHVR located in Bonsal, below Apex in southwestern Wake County.

Sitting in a college class some time ago, a K9 handler with her service dog at her side heard her dog whimpering and would not stop. The handler (who asked not to be identified) and dog Oliver Queen walked to the front of the room where the professor stood. The handler asked several questions of the professor regarding possible medical issues and the professor said he was fine. Oliver tapped the professor on his chest and the handler asked if he had heart issues. The professor did and was advised by the handler to seek medical attention. His life was saved. The service dog detected a serious heart issue.

Moss and Thistle Farm is a place where agriculture meets environmentalism, says Gabe Isaac, executive director of the nonprofit Rutherford Outdoor Coalition (ROC).