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).

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.