A college freshman who struggled with autism as a child and as a teenager, decided a few years ago he wanted to help others who also struggle.

World War II changed the lives of most people on earth at the time, says author Matthew Tessnear. The war led to death and destruction for millions who faced dangerous conditions almost unimaginable today. But the time period also resulted in new life through the numerous romances that blossomed as brave service members exchanged letters with their sweethearts back home.

When Johny Carson, 70, of Rutherford County got on a van for the annual Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) Fishing Trip to the Outer Banks, he was beyond excited. It was not just an average fishing trip to the Outer Banks and it was not Johny's first VIP trip. It won't be his last either. He's already planning for the next trip in October.

Gathered around a table in the English as a Second Language (ESL) evening class at Isothermal Community College recently, students from several countries talked with each other and shared laughs as if they were family.

A Connecticut couple who transferred to Rutherford County in 2020 for a job, would experience unbelievable tragedy less than three years later and yet the outpouring of love and friendship after the tragedy changed their lives forever.

Approximately eighty years after Estonia refugee Helvi Luckadoo fled the European country during World War II, her son Tommy Luckadoo, formerly of Forest City and now Hickory, has been appointed an Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia.

For decades the Mt. Vernon Community Club has hosted its popular mouth-watering, delicious country ham and chicken pie suppers. In addition to the fellowship of the people, proceeds from the supper were given to various nonprofits and groups in the area.

Kenneth Rice of Rutherfordton had never participated in a United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) event until last month when he competed in the Blue Ridge event in Hendersonville.

Jimmy Means made one of his final public appearances last summer at Tri-County Speedway's Pepsi Firecracker 400 for a pre-race autograph session in Granite Falls. Means and members of his team and family met the public on the bright sunny day, signed autographs and talked about his history in racing for more than 50 years. Twenty of those years Jimmy took the wheel of the race car and enjoyed racing all over the country. For the next 30 years he'd continue to race his cars with different drivers and was successful in the business as an independent racer.

The celebration of Earl Scruggs' 100th birthday on January 6 - his actual birth date - at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville was truly an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime event, Mary Beth Martin said. Martin, the executive director of the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, was among the packed crowd at the Ryman as bluegrass artists from across the the country paid tribute to the Cleveland County native.

Sgt. Joseph Rodgers and Sgt. Patti Rodgers came to the area six months ago for their first assignment with the Salvation Army. The couple, married 31 years, are the administrators of The Salvation Army of Cleveland and Rutherford Counties.

Michelle Hendrix said after her brother Brent's death, "she was lost." She relied on her brother for strength and support.

The former Chase High graduate and US Army infantryman in 2003, Brent "Hoss" Hendrix died on April 23, 2020 in Cincinnati after taking his own life. Hendrix lost a leg in the Iraq war in 2006 and for the next 14 years was haunted about the day his Jeep hit an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) while on duty. He would later say he was "blown up" and didn't remember the horrible accident. He would undergo more than 100 surgeries, was hospitalized at Walter Reed and other hospitals.

A nonprofit organization in Rutherford County is successfully helping women transition from addiction to sobriety. There are 14 women in the Hope Network where they are attending meetings, studying the 12-step program and the Bible curriculum SALT. Most of the women have jobs and are working toward a better future.

Robert B. "Little Jess" Hendrix returned to his hometown of Forest City recently with his wife Rilda and their daughter Ava Kennedy and visited some of the places he knew as a boy.

More than 90 years ago members of the Rutherfordton Junior Woman's Club planted a medium-size, seven-foot tall Deodar cedar tree on the Rutherford County Courthouse Lawn.

When Brian Thomas and his five-year-old son Banks flew into the Rutherford County Airport on a bright sunny day recently, it was for the purpose of having a final meal with chef Ron McKinney at 57 Alpha Cafe.

Funding from the Biden administration will help Spindale and Rutherfordton transform the congested thoroughfare between them into a pedestrian-friendly 'complete street' rarely seen in rural areas.

The walk along Main Street in Rutherfordton, a town older than the Constitution, takes you past ice cream and fudge shops; a barber and a children's museum; and a tiny park with flower gardens, fairy lights, and benches in the shade.

Family and friends are gathering this week to celebrate Thanksgiving 2023 in various places across Rutherford County.

For those who might not have family in the area and will not have a Thanksgiving dinner, there are free Thanksgiving meals for anyone who needs a meal.

To help support the the Ukrainians and the work of missionaries, donations may be made through:

UKRAINE RELIEF FUND- http://www.onechallenge.org

or send a check payable to: OC International

Write UKRAINE RELIEF FUND in the memo section of check and mail to:

OC International • PO Box 36900 • Colorado Springs, CO 80936-9600

Blue Ridge Honor Flight is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit governed by a dedicated, volunteer board of directors. The mission is to transport America's Veterans to Washington, DC to visit memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends.

Donations are also appreciated in order to fly the veterans to Washington. Make checks payable to: Blue Ridge Honor Flight, 1504 5th Avenue West, Hendersonville NC 28739

A grandson of the late Dr. Billy Graham will be in Rutherford County Sunday, Nov. 5 until Wednesday, Nov. 8 to preach revival messages at Florence Baptist Church in Forest City. All services will be in the sanctuary with the Sunday worship at 11 a.m. Evening services, Sunday-Wednesday, will be at 6 p.m.

The 2023 Carolina Colors Quilt Show hosted by Rutherford County Quilt Guild featured more than 160 quilts on display at Isothermal Community College last week. During the two day show hundreds stopped by to view the quilts on display.

Priscilla Downs, past president of Habitat for Humanity, who volunteers in several different capacities donating at least 10 hours a week, was selected as the Volunteer of the Year at the Volunteer Rutherford annual banquet held recently.

First Baptist Church in Forest City is the oldest institution in Forest City and on Sunday, Oct. 22, the church will celebrate its heritage, recalling its 175 years of history.