Tuesday, December 3rd was a very special evening at First Baptist Church in Forest City, as our congregation had the opportunity to host a wonderful Christmas concert by the Rutherford Community Chorus (RCC).

Looking for a Christmas miracle?

Foster parents are lifelines for children who have been hurt and emotionally abandoned.

For many families, it is the tenderest moment of all.

For the Hospice Chaplains who serve those families it is rare and precious duty.

At least two supporters think they found treasure in NETworX.

Bud Deck, a consummate volunteer and leader said when he learned about the empowerment program, one of his first thoughts was, "This is just what I've been looking for."

Christmas lights over Forest City kick off the season as much as anything.

There are as many ways to see Chimney Rock as there are sets of eyes for looking.

Ornithologist see and hear the birds.

Geologists see every crack in every rock.

Botanists see which tree every twig comes from.

There is a unifying name at the heart of their music.

Here's a chance to make the world more beautiful.

It may feel strange that the Domestic Violence Education And Support Group is so interested in making the Purple Martin Greenway more beautiful, along with the rest of the world, but consider how coming out of domestic violence makes the survivors more beautiful.

Halloween is a time for ghost stories.

And angel stories.

They are in volumes in local libraries, although librarians do say that even the books will sometimes do a disappearing act.

New and gently used coats, scarves, shoes, gloves, and hats can be dropped off at the Lake Lure Police Department, Rutherfordton Police Department, Forest City Police Department, offices of Rutherford Weekly and The Daily Courier.

The Thermal Belt Rail Trail will officially open on Saturday, October 19, 2019, with a day of activities surrounding the celebration. The Celebration will take place from 9am until 3pm and the public is invited and encouraged to participate. Come and stay all day, or simply visit a part of the Trail that you have not yet explored.

The church will not die.

Say what you like about preachers and Bibles and church houses, there is something there that always speaks of a real and present spirit.

Consider the Salem Dinners Unplugged, a truly innovative approach to worship, teaching, and getting folks off their cell phones.

What?

Rutherford Weekly's new home is another step in serving the county and surrounding communities.

There is sports heroism and then there is human kindness heroism. Jared Foster Smith knows about both.

When the Colfax Free Fair-Ellenboro School Carnival opens Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m., there will be plenty of excitement for the young and the not-so-young people in the community and Rutherford County.

Janet Mason is dealing with grief and hope.

Not counting the 12 years she spent as a student here, she worked for Rutherford County Schools for 33 years as a teacher and administrator. Except for part of her three years as an Appalachian undergraduate, she was in a Rutherford County school.

When Dr. Walter Ziffer speaks at the Mountain Branch Library in Lake Lure, it will be a rare opportunity for lovers of history and the human race. His talk is set for 3 p.m. on September 10.

There are many jewels in the crown of Rutherford County. One bright and shining star is The Robert And Janice McNair Educational Foundation, offering darn near incredible opportunities to students at Chase, East, and RS Central.

There is probably only one spot on planet earth where you can eat a livermush burger, groove to great music, and hang out with hundreds of cool cars on August 17 this year.

If you've been abused, some friends are waiting on you.

Dr. Johnnie Martin and Sally Clorina have run a support group for survivors of the storm of domestic violence for seven years and built many community projects around their work. They group also includes others who offer a hand up.

Few businesses symbolize Rutherford County as well as Smith's Drugs.

Feeding the hungry?

Really?

Like Yokefellow, Chase Corner Ministries, like local churches with clothes closets and food pantries, the Washburn Community Outreach Center is a Jesus-based mission that touches hundreds of lives across Rutherford County and beyond.