The theme for this year's contest was "The 200th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail: Moving the Stars and Stripes Westward". Students from 3rd through 8th grades in public, charter, private and homeschools were invited to enter.

These three couples featured today have been married more than 50 years and share their stories of half-century

of marriage with our readers. They also have a connection with the Rutherford County Senior Center.

With a common goal to build the Rutherford County "community stronger together" several hundred people gathered Sunday for a worship service at R-S Central High School.

There are exercise clubs, sewing clubs, civic clubs and after-hours clubs in Rutherford County. Car clubs, card playing, youth clubs, running and walking clubs also claim the interest of many. The number of clubs around Rutherford County is endless and the subject matters are just as numerous.

Dancing has always been an important part of Kennedy Ruff's life and after competitive dancing for at least 11 years, she earned a spot on the Honey Bees dance team for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets.

Nestled on 28 acres of land in Union Mills off Hudlow Road is one of Rutherford County's best kept secrets. Though well known to the hundreds who attend training or teach at the Center for Intercultural Training (CIT), the majority of Rutherford County residents might be unaware of its mission and how they might become involved in the intercultural center.

All the food was cooked for the Thursday evening Dec. 22 meal at the New Beginnings Soup Kitchen (NBSK) in Rutherfordton as volunteers waited for the drive through serving line to begin at 4:30p.m. Hundreds were expected to receive the free pre-Christmas dinner of turkey, dressing, gravy, green beans, rice and dessert.

Walking into the Yellow Rose Forge shop where Billy Salyers and his business partner/son Joseph Salyers are at work, a person immediately recognizes a sense of brotherly love and a cause.

Writer Jean Gordon compiled a few Christmas stories we thought you'd enjoy reading this week.

A new mural in the library at Ellenboro Elementary School is so much more than a stunning, eye-catching painting of a reading book path through a quiet forest with lanterns lighting the way while forest animals look on.

As the sounds of the Ole' 74 Jazz band rang across the Town of Rutherfordton Saturday evening, more than 100 people stood around the courthouse lawn waiting for the lighting of the Christmas cedar tree. The ceremony was held after the annual Christmas parade.

Dozens of Rutherford County's U.S. Marine Corps members celebrated the 247th birthday of United States Marines at the Forest City Clubhouse recently. Across the US and the World, Marines reflected on November 10, 1775, when the Continental Congress adopted a resolution to create a Marine force composed of two battalions.

"It is good to be here with my class," Dean Huffstickler, 84, told about 20 members of the R-S Central High School graduating class of 1958. Class members get together as often as they can and recently, special guest Huffstickler attended.

One million lights

The Town of Forest City will host its annual Thanksgiving Day Christmas lighting ceremony beginning at 6:30pm November 24. The ceremony will feature live music, a guest to switch on the more than one million lights and plenty of time for shopping downtown.

For the other holiday and Christmas events, check inside today's Rutherford Weekly.

When a group of local photographers set out recently for one of their routine photo opportunity outings, it was nothing but routine.

Emarie Mayse was concerned about the hungry people in the community and asked her grandmother if they could put food in the blessing box at Florence Baptist Church, where she attends with her family.

When word came to a Sunday School class at First Baptist, Rutherfordton 20 years ago that a Forest City woman needed help because of a leaking roof, the class decided to take on the project.

One by one cancer survivors in Rutherford County walked into the Pavilion on Park Square (POPS) in Forest City on October 20, for a time of celebration. Some were accompanied by spouses, siblings, cousins and friends. A few arrived using walking canes while others arrived arm-in-arm with supporters, many expressing joy and pride to be a part of the evening of celebration in their honor.

Since 1947 Gale's Chimney Rock Shop has been a centerpiece in the Village. Owner Steve Gale grew up in his parent's store and today remains an active member of the community.

Since 1975 in September and October, Revolutionary War period re-enactors bring the Overmountain Men story alive traveling along the Overmountain Victory Trail Association's (OVTA) March from Virginia to Kings Mountain. The Battle of Kings Mountain was the turning point of the Revolutionary War and America's road to freedom.

Vicki Dameron of Union Mills has a photography exhibit "Mountains to Sea" in the Ali Pouryousefi Memorial Art Gallery, Tucker Student Center through November 21. Tucker Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 9pm, Saturday, 11am to 9pm and Sunday, 1 to 9pm.

The 2022 Hilltop Fall Festival is returning to downtown Rutherfordton on October 22 with plenty of fun for the community. Nearly 50 vendors will be on Main Street beginning at 10am and the fun concludes with fireworks at 8pm.

Ten AmeriCorps young adults are in Rutherford County working with Rutherford Housing Partnership (RHP). The Tide 3 NCCC team headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, will work with RHP through October 21, leaving on October 22.

More than 90 years ago the Colfax Free Fair in Ellenboro began at the school grounds of Hollis Road in Ellenboro in order for farmers to have a venue to display their summer crops and other wares.

The Rutherford County Swim Team has been in existence since 1986 and very successful, said longtime Coach Mike Kernodle just days before this year's open house /recruitment session on September 10 at the ICC pool. The event will include a mock practice and demonstrate all the competitive strokes. The coaches will speak with visitors and their children. Interested children may "try out" for the team by demonstrating that they are water safe.