Jerre Thompson Foster remembers the night Don Waters made the first touchdown at the new East Rutherford High School football stadium when she was a senior. From the graduating class of 1963, Jerre, 78, says if her memory is correct, "He ran the whole field" for the touchdown.

Growing up in the Six Points community, Tracy Davis was a huge fan of Betty Feezor. In fact Tracy will go so far as to say Feezor was her hero. Tracy watched the home economist on WBTV-Charlotte as often as possible. During the summer, Tracy would watch Feezor's segment everyday at noon. She later learned Feezor's father was an Extension Agriculture Agent and that Feezor also worked as a home economics agent before joining WBTV.

A senior citizen in assisted living in western North Carolina wishes she could meet Donny Osmond. A Green Hill resident is trying to make that happen through Twilight Wish Foundation.

Sherri Cain, a second year teacher at Mt. Vernon Ruth (MVR) Elementary School, has been named Beginning Teacher of the Year for the Rutherford County Schools. Although she is a beginning teacher, Sherri says she can't remember a time in her life when she didn't want to teach school.

When Hannah Brooks Barnwell was in high school at Burns in Cleveland County people would recognize her as the girl with a camera in her hand. She enjoyed photographing her friends and special events through high school graduation in 2013.

Teagan Hill of Rutherfordton definitely hopes to return to Lake Imogene at Isothermal Community with the American Jet Ski Association (AJSA) series for another racing competition.

The 15-year-old R-S Central student was among 78 racers competing at the summer series event held the weekend of August 12. Approximately 2,000 spectators watched the inaugural AJSA event.

A Rutherfordton student was among a team of college students and specialists who spent five weeks on a Huqoq synagogue dig in Israel from May 28 to July 4.

Some folks in the Southeast plan their vacation and weekend get-aways around the Hot Nights Cool Rides Car Show.

An award winning 1957 Chevy 150 Sedan has an amazing story - as do other vehicles entered in the 2023 Hot Nights Cool Rides Car Show in downtown Forest City.

Award winning bluegrass artist Carley Arrowood is bringing her music and talents back to her home county this weekend.

She will perform at Spindale's Centennial Block Party on Saturday, August 5 at 6pm and the next day at Florence Baptist Church in Forest City (Sunday, August 6) also at 6pm.

A Union Mills athlete placed in the 67th annual Grandfather Mountain Highland games in Linville.

A petite Viola Goble Tate sat in her navy blue chair at home recently and talked about the past 100 years.

The Forest City Recreation Center was a buzz recently with approximately 45 special needs children and young adults, one-on-one volunteers and a group of dedicated staff.

The 2023 Science Academy hosted by Gardner-Webb University and sponsored by Stonecutter Foundation in Spindale, introduced students to real-world applications of science, such as crime scene investigation and forensic anthropology. The 12 students also learned about the Department of Natural Sciences, the Human Performance Lab in the Department of Exercise Science and the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at Gardner-Webb.

Celebrations for America's 247th birthday begin in Rutherford County June 30 at Kiwanis Park in Rutherfordton and will continue through July 3 at Owls Stadium in Forest City with a fireworks display following the baseball game.

Using a walker for just a bit of extra security, Kathryn Mooney Wall, 93, gingerly made her way across the room to a wall inside the Golden Valley Community Club. Only minutes before her treasured Friendship Quilt was hung on the wall, as it had finally found its forever home.

Writer's Note -- Children of Steve Moore, Bill Childers, Rob Staley and the late O.A. Fish, share these memories and lessons learned from their dads. Happy Father's Day to every person celebrating on Sunday, June 18. We appreciate you.

This is a celebration year for the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge (LLFB) and the dozens of volunteers, visitors and the community residents of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock as the bridge turns 10 years old.

ReachingROCO, a local media company and the first youth and young adults publication in Rutherford County, is proud to announce the launch of its highly awaited Summer 2023 Graduate Edition. Now available at www.ReachingROCO.com, the edition highlights the remarkable achievements and inspiring stories of local students.

Other Rutherford County Teachers of the Year are: Cisily Murray, Carver Center; Elementary Schools- Becki McAbee, Cliffside; Sandy Helton, Ellenboro; Allison Dorsey, Harris; Jen Rock, Mt. Vernon Ruth; Holly Toney, Pinnacle; Ali High, Rutherfordton; Mignone Whitaker, Spindale; Beth Travis, Sunshine; Allison Kennedy, Forest City-Dunbar; Forrest Hunt Elementary, Kyra Bumgarner; Middle Schools- Chase, Joe Jessen; East Rutherford, Alisha Fowler. High Schools- Beth Carroll, Chase; Rhonda Hollifield, East Rutherford; Emily Mullins, R-S Central; Stephanie Rice; Rutherford Early College High School (REaCH) Sheila Ledford, Rutherford Opportunity Center.

US Marine Alan Marston cried when he tried to explain his feelings about his first visit to the war memorials in Washington, DC. Marston, of Rutherford County, was among veterans on the Blue Ridge Honor Flight (BRHF) on April 29.

"In our little house there's always room for one more" is certainly a true statement for the Charlie and Gina Greene family of Ellenboro.

A small pocket park in downtown Rutherfordton has taken on a new meaning and is springing alive with new plants, trees and a mini-garden. It is hoped to be an inspiration to all those who knew and loved the late Butch Melton.

(Editorial note: Airplane pilot Gene Meade from Casar spent much of his career teaching people to fly planes. Although retired from instructing, Meade said he flies for fun now, but said he was interested recently to read a story by Susan Hewitt, a former flight student from 1979. Susan, who lives in the Six Points area, wrote her own story about flying out of the Polkville grass strip in a Piper Cub under the instruction of Meade. Susan said she flew about 10 years after receiving her pilot's license, but gave up flying when her baby daughter was born. Susan writes her story).