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Forest CityCatherine PadgettNell Johnson

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Today and tonight, showers likely

Complete forecast, Page 10A

Vol. 42, No. 21

Classifieds . . . .5-7BSports . . B SectionCounty scene . . 6AOpinion . . . . . . . 4A

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Woman shares story of healing — Page 3A

The 2010 SMAC Swimming Championships were held Saturday at Isothermal

B Section

Race to the wallSports

By LARRY DALEDaily Courier Staff Writer

ELLENBORO — Two former employees of the old textile mill on Piney Mountain Church Road recall working for 75 cents an hour and remember that running bad cloth meant deductions from your paycheck.

The plant, known at different times as Queen Anne, Neisler and Quaker Fabrics, employed generations of textile workers dur-

ing its lifetime. Only part of the mill build-ing remains now, and it is not being used for manufacturing.

Charles Smith, who lives three houses down from the plant site, first came to Ellenboro in the mid-1940s.

“The Neislers owned this mill, and we moved up here in 1944,” Smith said. “They moved my

Please see Workers, Page 9A

By LARRY DALEDaily Courier Staff Writer

FOREST CITY — An updated Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan approved by commissioners this week includes a section that prioritiz-es recommendations and offers an implementation strategy.

Plan writers note finding a way to fund the recommenda-tions is the key to accomplishing any of the goals.

Accordingly, the plan authors say, “We recommend that the Town of Forest City utilize vari-ous means to plan for and fund these recommendations such as Capital Improvement Program, general tax revenues, partner-ships, user fees, sponsorships, and various grant programs (such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, Community Development Block Grant, Clean Water Management Trust Fund, and NCDOT grants).”

The plan then says about vari-ous elements:n Capital Improvement

Program. This budget tool would allow the town to plan for and prioritize large projects, and then fund them.n User fees and partnerships.

User fees, as the term implies, would charge participants to help offset program costs. The plan notes that most munici-palities charge more for par-ticipants from outside the boundaries of the municipality. Sponsorships, paid by an indi-vidual, business or industry, usually include the team name, uniforms and equipment in team sports programs.n Grant programs. The plan

comments that there are numer-ous grant programs that can be used for parks and recreation.n Partnerships. Among the

entities cited for possible part-nerships are Rutherford County government, Rutherford County Schools, another municipality, user groups such

Please see Parks, Page 6A

By SCOTT BAUGHMANDaily Courier Staff Writer

RUTHERFORDTON — Inter-net connectivity in Rutherford County will be getting another boost now that a $28 million stimulus grant has been award-ed to put more fiber optic cable in the area.

The grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is part of the broadband recov-ery fund and will be used to install about 480 miles of new fiber throughout the western and southern portions of the state.

“We don’t know exactly where the fiber will be put just yet, but we’re thinking they might use it to connect more to the exist-ing fiber at the schools,” said Rhonda Owens, county IT

Please see Stimulus, Page 6A

By SCOTT BAUGHMANDaily Courier Staff Writer

FOREST CITY — Citizens getting food and nutrition services from the Department of Social Services can now get one-on-one help with job placement at the Employment Security Commission.

“It’s a joint effort between DSS and ESC to try to place people who are receiving food nutrition benefits back in jobs or better pre-pare them for when an opportu-nity does arrive,” said ESC’s Nancy Montgormery. “It is a volunteer pro-gram so anyone receiving FNS can volunteer to participate.”

Two dedicated staff members at the ESC are focusing on the pro-gram. Montgomery and Miriam Lackey spend their days comb-ing job listings and searching the Internet for job postings that might be a good fit for clients.

“There’s also a job preparation workshop that we have here every

Please see Job, Page 6A

This rusting water tower is about all that remains to remind people of a once flourish-ing textile plant in Ellenboro.

Sign of the past

Workers recall their days in old Ellenboro textile mill

Larry Dale/ Daily Courier

Forest City gets park plan update

Stimulus will aid broadband expansion

ESC, DSS team up on job help

Garrett Byers/Daily CourierRutherford County IT Director Rhonda Owens inspects a cut-away view of fiber optic cable. A new stimulus grant will allow the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina to install more fiber in the county and the region.

Sunday, January 24, 2010, Forest City, N.C.

1/front

2A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

LocaL

By SCOTT BAUGHMANDaily Courier Staff Writer

SPINDALE — For the Hispanic congregation at Christo Bible Bautista Church on Oakland Road Sunday services are a blessing. And now their pastor Rev. Jairo Contreras can celebrate the blessing of a mas-ter’s degree from Gardner-Webb University.

“It took me about nine years of study for all of the degrees,” said Contreras. “I was awarded the degree in December. I also went to Fruitland Bible Institute for my associate’s degree.”

With English as his second lan-guage, study for Contreras wasn’t easy at first. He said he’d been learn-ing the language off and on for the past 13 years.

“I’ve been the pastor there since we started the church over 12 years ago,” Contreras said. “We average about 120 members each Sunday. It is important for the Hispanic commu-nity now that I have this degree.”

The church’s focus these days is to study the congregation’s special

needs, Contreras explained. And to try and serve their immediate needs, too, which leads to talk of counseling and jobs.

“I want to help them to do appli-cations for work or to help them in their dealings with the hospital or dealings with the government,” Contreras said. “We are also trying to help them to get social help or help obtaining a driver’s license.”

And Contreras said his new educa-tion — which focused a lot on coun-seling — would be key in helping bridge cultural divides.

“I also minister to the congre-gration with marriage counseling and family counseling,” he said. “Especially when they are having dif-ficulties as a couple or a couple that marries from different cultures. I feel more challenged myself to work with the Hispanic community around here because now I’ll be more capable to do a professional job and help them on a different level.”

Contact Baughman via e-mail at sbaugh-man@thedigitalcourier.com.

Contributed PhotoThe Rev. Jairo Contreras earned his master’s degree at Gardner-Webb University in December and celebrated with his wife Gloria and children David and Mark.

Hispanic church pastor completes MA degree

Spindale eyes animal controlSPINDALE — Spindale Commissioners will dis-

cuss revisions to the town’s animal control ordi-nance and receive an update on E-911 addressing Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Spindale House.

The board will also hear discussion and response to an N.C. Rural Center Health Care Initiative Grant from Drs. Michael Jackson and Richard Dest, DDS. And they will review a resolution of acceptance for a state revolving loan fund for an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act waste-water project.

Decades old sewer lines will be getting an upgrade thanks to a $791,000 grant from federal stimulus funds announced in September 2009. Town officials had first applied for the grant in March 2009.

In new business, council will review a street clo-sure request from Crayton Bland and will intro-duce a Spindale Neighborhood Watch Group with Melinda Nodine.

The group must also make an appointment to the fireman’s relief fund board and review an audit contract for fiscal year 2009 - 2010 from town financial officer Cathy Swafford.

Other items may be added to the agenda at the meeting.

Prior to the meeting the board will hold a closed session for a town manager evaluation at 5:30 p.m.

Town to discuss revenue ideasRUTHERFORDTON —Town Council will review

a list of “creative ways” to find more revenue for the town when it meets Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall here.

Council will revisit the Revenue “Braindump” list compiled last May during a board retreat at Transitions as it discusses ways to increase revenue and identify the ideas most likely to be successful in the town’s environment.

Some of the ideas would require a lot of time, capital investment or the cooperation of other organizations before the town could generation money.

Other ideas such as grants, public/private part-nerships, reducing subscription/membership will be pursued as opportunity comes.

Council will discuss such ideas as implement-ing a service fee versus raising revenue to increase property tax; will review the services offered to the town and will decide if any services can be dis-continued or modified; will talk about rental fees at the clubhouse, Crestview Park and other town-owned property.

Pet fees, impact fees, assessments, festival/con-certs and events will also be discussed.

Council will also review its Strategic Visioning Process notes from a workshop held two years ago with Christine Loeffler of Sinclar Loeffler.

Council agreed on the following steps at that workshop:n realize Master Plan from paper to reality each

year;n develop and implement a Customer Service

initiative;n develop a fundraising strategy to meet mis-

sion/vision;n develop a process of planned growth;n improve quality of neighborhoods from declin-

ing to vibrancy by 2010; and,n maximize citizen involvement in town.

Rutherford Notes

2/

By JEAN GORDONDaily Courier Staff Writer

FOREST CITY — A story of injustice and redemp-tion was shared Tuesday evening by author Jennifer Thompson-Cannino as she talked about her newly pub-lished book, Picking Cotton, at Fireside Books & Gifts.

She talked about being raped at knife point as a college student in 1984 in Burlington and her escape from the rapist.

She went on to report the crime and eventually positively identified Ronald Cotton as her rapist. She explained how she made the identity in a photo array and a subsequent physical line up.

But Ronald Cotton was innocent.

After spending 11 years in prison, he was released when DNA evidence proved he was not the man who raped her.

Thompson-Cannino and Cotton along with Erin Torneo tell the incredible story in the book as they also share the story of a very sur-prising friendship.

“He will always be in my life. He is one of my best friends,” she said.

Although Cotton was not with her in Forest City, they often travel together sharing their story.

In their own words, the book gives the details of their tragedy, and challenges the ideas of memory and judg-ment.

The book also demonstrates the profound nature of human grace and the power of forgiveness.

During his 11 years in pris-on,

Cotton always insist-ed he was innocent, but Thompson-Cannino’s posi-

tive identification was the evidence that put him in prison.

But in 1995 with the help of a UNC law professor, Cotton was allowed a DNA test that conclusively proved his innocence and he was finally released from prison.

Thompson-Cannino said it isn’t the story of the wrong-ful conviction and Cotton’s release, but it’s their subse-quent friendship that makes their story so amazing.

When Thompson-Cannino received a call from the dis-trict attorney telling her of Cotton’s innocence, she felt paralyzed and was afraid of what Cotton might do since she had wrongly accused him.

She could hardly live with her guilt.

Finally, two years after Cotton was released from

prison, the two met face to face in a church and she begged him to forgive her for stealing so much of his life. After they spent two hours together, the two left crying, hugging and made a decision to always be friends.

With her help, Ronald received $105,000 compen-sation from the state for his wrongful incarceration.

When they travel the coun-try together, they not only talk about their reform, but also about the problem of mistaken identify and about capital punishment.

Thompson-Cannino said she and the DA staff toasted their victory after Cotton was found guilty and sen-tenced to life in prison. In 1987, after the Appeallate Court ordered a new trial, she again testified Cotton had raped her and identi-fied him. She was also asked

about a man named Bobby Poole, another suspect, but she said it was not him.

“It was right. It was good,” she said after the case was heard again. “The victory was toasted again.”

She knew Cotton had ruined her life and changed her forever.

She later moved on with her life, was married and she and her husband have trip-lets.

Even then, she told the group, when she put her babies to bed at night, she thanked God for the gifts of her children He had given her.

As she prayed, she also told God how she wished Ronald Cotton would be raped in prison. She could not get him off her mind.

After he was found inno-cent 11 years after his impris-onment, she said she could

not forget his face in her nightmares. She was so afraid he might kill her for what she had done to him.

It occurred to her one day, “I would never get his face out of my nightmares until I met him face-to-face” and that’s when she agreed to meet him.

“If I was ever going to move forward, really, we had to meet.”

Someone asked Thompson-Cannino how Ronald Cotton was able to forgive her.

“It was his faith,” she said. “Every day for 11 years while in prison he read Psalms 71,” she said.

When she met him that first day at the church, she asked him how in the world would he ever be able to forgive her. “He told me, ‘I already have. I forgave you when I was in prison.’ I am not going to hurt you.”

“He is one of my best friends. We tell each other how much we love each oth-er.”

“In life, you have choices,” Thompson-Cannino said Cotton reminded her.

Cotton told her when he went to prison, he would not let his mind be imprisoned.

He decided he would find a way to have a good life in prison.

Thompson-Cannino said through him she was reminded of her days in Sunday School, “Love and hate cannot co-exist in the same heart.”

Bobby Poole was eventu-ally found guilty of raping Thompson-Cannino. He died in prison in 2000.

Contact Gordon via e-mail at jgordon@thedigitalcourier.com.

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010 — 3A

LocaL

Woman shares remarkable story of healing

Two years after Ronald Cotton was released from prison, after serving 11 years on a wrongful conviction for raping Jennifer Thompson-Cannino, the two met face to face in a church and she begged him to forgive her for steal-ing so much of his life. After they spent two hours together, the two left crying, hugging and made a decision to always be friends. They share their remarkable story now in a new book and in public events around the country.

She’s informed. Are you? Read

3/

ATTENTIONADULTS AGE 55+

In these unusual economic times, planning for future health care needs is more crucial than ever. One option available is EASTWOOD VILLAGE,

Rutherford County’s only complete retirement and health care concept.

Homes are individually owned and designed for maintenance-free livingwith the following amenities:

• A Large Clubhouse

• Swimming Pool

• Lawn Maintenance

• Meal Delivery

• Transportation

• 24 Hour Emergency Nursing Services

• Skilled Care & Assisted Living Care available on campus

EASTWOOD VILLAGEHwy. 74 East, Forest City, NC

In addition to the 34 existing homes, lots are available for theconstruction of your custom retirement home.

For information or a tour, please contact:John Cilone, Broker — 245-9095

Ruby Lowery, Broker — 248-2018Mack McKeithan, Broker — 245-9095

4A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

■ A daily forum for opinion, commentary and editorials on the news that affects us all.

Jodi V. Brookshire/ publisherSteven E. Parham/ executive editor

601 Oak Street, P.O. Box 1149,Forest City, N.C. 28043Phone: 245-6431 Fax: 248-2790E-mail: dailycourier@thedigitalcourier.com

The Detroit Auto Show 2010 closes today and from what was shown, automakers have taken

to heart the message that business as usual is not going to work.

At what is definitely a crucial time for the industry, the automakers rolled out new cars for this show that one observ-er wrote “will redefine what we drive in the future.”

The emphasis was on small, sporty and economical vehicles.

There was a renewed emphasis on gas mileage and performance as well as quality and appearance.

There were new hybrids and other alternative fuel cars. There were electric cars.

The renewed focus on higher gas mile-age and alternative fuel vehicles is a good sign for consumers, especially now that we are seeing oil prices ris-ing as the U.S. and world economies are beginning to show signs of recovery from the recession.

It would appear that the automakers have finally got the message. They can no longer operate on the premise that if they build it we will buy it.

If they are going to remain viable in an already intensely competitive arena, they are going to have to be forward thinking and acting. They are going to have to build cars that meet needs.

Our Views

Automakers are getting message

RALEIGH — Republican leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly say they want to protect North Carolinians from the Democratic-sponsored health care plan being debated in Washington.

So, they’ve come up with a plan to insulate state residents.

They want to exempt North Carolinians from a requirement that everyone carry health insur-ance.

“Republicans will not stand idly by and watch as citizens’ rights to make their own health care deci-sions are taken from them by the federal government,” Republican Senate leader Phil Berger said of national health care reform.

Republicans here are following the same game plan as those in other states, where similar efforts are underway. Arizona legislators have already agreed to put a bal-lot initiative before state voters to allow the state to “opt out” of a federal health care plan.

State House Speaker Joe Hackney, a Democrat, denounced the Republican talk as a political stunt. He apparently believes that thing called the U.S. Constitution might present a significant hur-dle.

But why be so rash, so quick to condemn an idea that could hold all kinds of promise?

In fact, why not expand upon the proposal? Perhaps Republicans and Democrats could finally come together over a single purpose, the passing of an Omnibus Federal Exemption Act. Just imagine how many ways North Carolina could tell the fed-eral government to go take a fly-ing leap off a cliff.

■ The easy one here, of course, is an exemption from federal taxes. Legislators could call this one the Incumbency Protection Amendment. Who wouldn’t vote another term for the entire leg-islature after having your federal tax debt wiped clean? No more would North Carolina have to worry about sending more money to Washington than it gets back. The provision naturally would include an exemption from Internal Revenue Service audits.

■ Out in the business world, exemptions from federal labor laws would be popular. Eighty-hour work weeks with no over-time, paying men and women

unequal pay, and eliminating the minimum wage could be the bold, new frontier of establishing North Carolina as the most busi-ness-friendly state in the country.

■ State lawmakers could exempt political donors from fed-eral campaign giving limits. Oh, never mind. The Supreme Court is already handling that exemp-tion.

■ In North Carolina, No Child Left Behind could become Kiss My Behind. All schools would be granted an exemption to the federal school accountability law. Current and future federal educa-tion secretaries would be banned from entering the state.

■ Finally, one way of creating a truly omnibus bill would be to exempt all North Carolinians from prosecution for violations of any federal law. This provi-sion would be especially popular among certain former political officeholders and a few of their close friends.

Of course, this approach might create a few unforeseen problems.

After all, the last time North Carolina told the feds to go jump in a lake, some fellow named Sherman burned and pillaged his way across the state.

Mooneyham is executive director of the Captitol Press Association.

In changing times, remember God’s sovereigntyWe read these verses in

James 4:14, “Whereas you know not what shall be tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.” We are also admonished to “number our days and apply ourselves to wisdom.”

As much as we would like to have stability, there is this unrelenting underlying truth that things change. We seek to stabilize our world in vari-ous and sundry ways, only to realize that instability is the fretting norm. The constant is the change.

Change occurs all through our lives involving physical, emotional, spiritual, material and many others.

We have surely looked in the mirror and seen the per-sonal changes we have expe-rienced. Just note the chang-es you have experienced in the various stages of your life. In fact, the Christian life itself is all about change, transformation and ultimate glorification. To be born again is to receive a new identity and grow up into that newness of life.

James’, in the above verse, makes several points: one, the future is in many areas uncertain; two, life itself is to be contemplated as to what it is; three, the truth of that question is revealed- it is a vapor and lastly; it vanishes away. Careful meditations upon these truths give us pause to consider something else. If these things are true, and they surely are, how do we then approach life and face what the reality of what

these facts stir in our hearts and minds.

It is akin to a person being told that in three days they will die. That would illicit all kinds of feelings and emo-tions in one’s heart and mind and would certainly cause that person to begin to pre-pare for the outcome of their few remaining days.

The Scriptures declare the truth but not just in some fatalistic way. The Scriptures also tell us how we are to negotiate life with its perils and uncertainties. This is why we are given the gift of faith to believe what cannot otherwise be purely rational-ized.

It is the failure of human-ists and ideologues to resist what cannot be rationally understood. This is why even the idea of a personal and sovereign God is seen as a fallacy and a “crutch” to those branded as minimal-ists thinkers. The ignorant and narrow-minded and the ill-educated are doomed to believe all that religious non-sense, they say.

There are few in the world that are outright atheists. There is a reason for that and there is a reason why they have few recruits into that depressive mental con-struct.

All the atheist has is now

and nothing more. There is no hereafter, not even the hope of being reincarnated into a better existence. There is nothing to look forward to, nothing to pass along to their children except a life with no hope or faith in anything or anyone. It is a miserable existence and they find few adherents.

The Bible addresses false religion as the culprit not strict unbelief. The com-mandment is to “have no other gods before me.” God means that we are not to have divided affections.

We are to embrace the God who sees all, knows all and is omnipotent. He alone is God and none other, and an undivided faith and loyalty to Him is a great source of comfort, protection and inspiration.

People are intrinsically propelled to worship or give allegiance to something outside themselves. It may be a rock, a tree, an animal, the earth or deceased rela-tives. Something within us is reaching out and beyond our limitations. We know the world and all of life is fragile.

I have found great comfort in God’s word. That word, which is the revelation of God to man, reveals God’s divine providence and sov-ereignty. Those truths are needed to give us a means to live our lives with hope and confidence.

As the Hebrew nation was surrounded with enemies and their various pilgrim-ages were often perilous and trying, God had told them to trust Him.

Often, circumstances would cause them to become weak in their faith and to their demise, they would hopelessly turn to a god of their own invention, break their covenant with the true God and reap the dire conse-quences. Let us hold fast our profession of faith.

There is no question that the scriptures speak of God’s sovereignty, providence and that the Bible speaks of pre-destination, election, foreor-dination and the like. These often make us uncomfortable because we don’t understand them.

Look what has happened to humanity with man seek-ing to control. Look at the sad results of creating other gods, excising the true God from our culture, schools and even our churches.

We see the glaring results in our families when God, His truth and ways are absent from the home.

A cursory look at history reveals the error of listen-ing to the first and fatal lie; “partake of what God said not to partake of and you will be as God knowing good and evil.” In other words, you can choose apart from God and His word. Be your own man and woman. You be the Lord and Sovereign over your lives. Everyday we see the results of this lie.

This year is going to be sig-nificant for our family.

The Lord spoke that to my heart at the close of 2009. I am more resolved than ever to walk the narrow way that leads to life, as Jesus said in Matthew.

Remember this, there can be no cutting edge that is not narrow. Hebrews 4:12 says the “Word is quick and sharper than any two-edged sword.”

To live and walk in the nar-row way is to leave no room for the superficial and vain things of life. I do not want to lay up treasures that moth and dust corrupt. Spiritual power will come only when we seek God with our whole hearts and asking Him what truth really is.

And when we find it, with great humility, we follow it with stubborn courage. What the world is in need of is not more tolerance, but a greater intolerance to compromise and laxity in our faith. This does not mean we are to become proud, harsh and downright hard. It means we become a cutting edge, sharpened with the Word to cut to the chase of life and know how to live and bring others into God’s life with us.

When we fail to see that God has a sovereign plan for our lives and we, as the prod-igal son, go our own way, we cease to believe in God in a straightforward and honest way. We are then left to fol-low a path seeking another god which is idolatry. No matter what comes or goes, let us trust our Lord. He is good and He has a perfect plan. As the old hymn says, “trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.”

Fr. Lankford can be contacted at 286-8078 of by e-mail at revjlankford@gmail.com.

Why not a really big exemption?

Scott Mooneyham

Today in North Carolina

Fr. Jonathan Lankford

Sunday Conversation

4/

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010 — 5A

LocaL/obituaries

ObituariesCatherine Padgett

Catherine Jordan Padgett, 85, of Forest City, died Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 at Hospice House.

A native of Rutherford County, she was a daughter of the late Everett Jordan and Hattie McDaniel Jordan.

She was the widow of her husband of 53 years, Bill Joe Padgett.

Survivors include one son, Steve Padgett of Cape Canaveral, Fla..; one daughter, Trudy Holland of Cliffside; and three grand-children.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Avondale United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert Hodgens offi-ciating. Interment will fol-low in Oak Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to ser-vice time at the church.

Memorial donations may be sent to Avondale United Methodist Church, PO Box 266, Henrietta, NC 28076.

Harrelson Funeral Home is serving the family.

Online condolences may be regis-tered at www.harrelsonfuneral-home.com

Nell JohnsonIva Nell Johnson, 71, of 184

Stoneybrook Drive, Forest City, died Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010.

A native of Rutherford County, she was a daughter of the late Charlie and Linnie Bridges.

She is survived by her hus-band, George David Johnson; a daughter, Vicki Williamson of Forest City; a step-daugh-ter, Debra Robbins of Forest City; three brothers, Charles Bridges and Garland “Butch” Bridges of Spindale, Ronnie Dean Bridges of Shelby; and four sisters, Jean Cook of Forest City, Mildred Terry of Ellenboro, Colleen Hall of Charlotte, Betty Kirby of Hearne, Texas.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 7 at 3 p.m. at Kistler’s Chapel. Visitation prior to service in the fellowship hall at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make generous donations to Hospice of Rutherford County P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043

Online condolences at www.crowemortuary.com

Jean Simmons LOS ANGELES (AP)

— Jean Simmons, whose ethereal screen presence and starring roles with Hollywood’s top actors made her a mid-century film icon, has died at age 80.

The actress, who sang with Marlon Brando in Guys and Dolls and played Ophelia to Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet, died Friday.

Her other notable films included Elmer Gantry (with Burt Lancaster), Until They Sail (with Newman), The Big Country (Peck), Spartacus, (Douglas), This Earth Is Mine (Rock Hudson), All the Way Home (Robert Preston), Mister Buddwing (James Garner) and Rough Night in Jericho (Dean Martin).

Frances Buss Buch HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.

(AP) — Frances Buss Buch, a pioneer of network TV and the first female TV director in the U.S., has died. She was 92.

While taking acting classes, performing off-Broadway and modeling in New York City, Buch joined CBS for a temporary job as a reception-ist in July 1941 and was soon asked to be in front of the camera.

Buch joined CBS Television — the fledgling video arm of the Columbia Broadcasting System — just two weeks after the FCC allowed com-mercial TV broadcasts.

She appeared on TV’s first game show and helped with news coverage of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

PET OF THE WEEK

This pup is a 1-year-old Male beagle/mix. He is very friendly and looking to find a good home. This and many other loving animals are available for adoption at the Rutherford County Animal Shelter on Laurel Hill Drive in Rutherfordton. The shel-ter’s hours are noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information call 287-6025. For the Community Pet Center volunteers office call 287-7738.

Garrett Byers/Daily Courier

Sheriff’s Reportsn The Rutherford County

Sheriff’s Department responded to 145 E-911 calls Friday.

Rutherfordtonn The Rutherfordton Police

Department responded to 39 E-911 calls Friday.

Spindalen The Spindale Police

Department responded to 44 E-911 calls Friday.

Lake LureLake Lure Police

Department responded to 10 E-911 calls Friday.

Forest Cityn The Forest City Police

Department responded to 56 E-911 calls Friday.

ArrestsBradley Dean Mincey, 33,

of 1472 Pope Road; charged with driving while impaired; placed under a $500 unse-cured bond. (NCHP)

Matthew Gerald Stamper, 22, 1775 Dark Corner Road, Rutherfordton; charged with failure to appear, defrauding innkeeper; placed under a $3,000 bond. (RCSD)

Harold Thomas Gleaves, 50, 202 N. Meridian Street, Rutherfordton; charged with possession Schedule VI con-trolled substance and pos-session drug paraphernalia; placed under a $1,500 unse-cured bond. (RPD)

Johnny Wayne Webb, 38, 144 Willow Tree Lane; charged with driving while license revoked; placed under a $1,000 unsecured bond. (RCSD)

Andrew Robert Holloway, 18, 121 Hill Street,

Rutherfordton; charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver Schedule II controlled sub-stance; maintain a vehicle/dwelling place for controlled substance; felony possession Schedule II Controlled sub-stance; possession drug para-phernalia; two counts resist-ing public officer, two counts assault on a government official/employee; two counts possession of firearm by fel-on; placed under a $107,500 bond; (FCPD)

Michael Tyshod Greene, 19, of 142 Dunbar Street, Forest City; charged with felony possession Schedule II Controlled substance; placed under a $15,000 bond. (FCPD)

Tonashia Nicole Brown, 17, 129 W. Spruce Street, Forest City, simple possession Schedule VI controlled sub-

stance; released on a written promise to appear. (FCPD)

n EMSn Rutherford County

Emergency Medical Services responded to 24 calls Friday and seven calls were answered by Rescue.

Fire Callsn Lake Lure and Forest

City firefighters responded to residential fire alarms Friday.

Police Notes

Judge: Shooting video sealedASHEBORO (AP) — A judge has ruled that

police dashboard video of the shooting death of a University of North Carolina student will remain sealed.

The News & Record of Greensboro reports that Judge Brad Long ruled Friday that video of Courtland Smith’s last moments will not be made public.

The 21-year-old student from Houston was killed early Aug. 23 off Interstate 85 by an Archdale police officer.

Multiple media outlets filed a lawsuit to obtain the video. His family filed a motion in October to keep the tapes sealed.

Couple sues city, former officerCHARLOTTE (AP) — A couple has sued

North Carolina’s largest city and a former Charlotte police officer who is accused of sexually assaulting women while in uniform.

The Charlotte Observer reports the couple filed the civil suits Friday, alleging abuse of power by former Office Marcus Jackson and “inept” hiring practices.

They say the 26-year-old officer pulled

them over Dec. 28 and made them follow him to a church parking lot. They say he fondled the woman, claiming he needed to search her, then ordered her boyfriend to fondle her as Jackson watched.

Six women over the past month have accused Jackson of sexually assaulting them.

Movie opens at Fort BraggFORT BRAGG (AP) — Hollywood and the

military will meet each other when the lat-est movie based on a Nicholas Sparks’ novel opens at Fort Bragg.

The movie “Dear John” will open Saturday at York Theater on the Army post. The movie is about a Special Forces solider and a col-lege student from Wilmington and stars Channing Tatum of “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and Amanda Seyfried of the television series “Big Love.” They keep their relationship alive through years of letter-writing.

The two stars and Sparks, who lives near New Bern, will attend the premiere.

Free tickets were distributed last week to military ID holders, but only the first 600 people in line with tickets will be admitted inside.

Deaths

Carolina Today

5/

THE DAILY COURIER

Published Tuesday through Sunday mornings by Paxton Media Group LLC dba The Daily Courier USPS 204-920 Periodical Postage paid in Forest City, NC.Company Address: 601 Oak St., P.O. Box 1149, Forest City, NC 28043.Phone: (828) 245-6431Fax: (828) 248-2790Subscription rates: Single copy, daily 50¢ / Sunday $1.50. Home delivery $11.75 per month, $35.25 for three months, $70.50 for six months, $129 per year. In county rates by mail payable in advance are: $13.38 for one month, $40.14 for three months, $80.27 for six months, $160.54 per year. Outside county: $14.55 for one month, $43.64 for three months, $87.28 for six months, $174.56 per year. College students for school year subscription, $75.The Digital Courier, $6.50 a month for non-subscribers to The Daily Courier. Payment may be made at the website: www.thedigitalcourier.comThe Daily Courier is not responsible for advance subscription payments made to carriers, all of who are inde-pendent contractors.

Iva Nell Johnson“Ms. Nell”, 71, of 184 Stoneybrook

Drive, Forest City, NC, entered into rest January 21, 2010.

A native of Rutherford County, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Linnie Bridges.

She is survived by her husband, George David Johnson; a daughter, Vicki Williamson of Forest City; a step-daughter, Debra Robbins of Forest City; three brothers, Charles Bridges and Garland “Butch” Bridges of Spindale, Ronnie Dean Bridges of Shelby; four sisters, Jean Cook of Forest City, Mildred Terry of Ellenboro, Colleen Hall of Charlotte, Betty Kirby of Hearne, Texas.

Preceded in death by three broth-ers, Fred Bridges of Spindale, Leroy Bridges of Rutherfordton, James Bridges of Gastonia and one sister, Gladys Gosnell of Gastonia.

Extended family members are Eric & Bethany Lynch, John & Stacy Williams, Skyler, Rhett, Tucker & Wyatt Williamson, Onorio, Alma, Griselda and Paco Ibarra.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, February 7, 2010, 3pm at Kistler’s Chapel. Visitation prior to service in the fellowship hall at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make generous donations to Hospice of Rutherford County P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043

Online condolences: www.crowemortuary.com

Paid obit

Catherine Jordan PadgettCatherine Jordan Padgett, age

85, of Forest City, NC, died Friday, January 22, 2010 at Hospice House.

Catherine was born September 26, 1924 in Rutherford County to the late Everett Jordan and Hattie McDaniel Jordan. She enjoyed yard work and gardening. She also loved spending time at the family cabin in the mountains and valued the time spent with her grandchil-dren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her hus-band of 53 years, Bill Joe Padgett; one sister, Evelyn Gilbert and her husband, Freeman, and by one aunt, Eva Manley.

Survivors include one son, Steve Padgett of Cape Canaveral, FL.; one daughter, Trudy Holland and her husband, Ricky, of Cliffside; three grandchildren, Wess Holland, Chris Holland and Hunter Holland all of Cliffside; two sister in-laws, Mary Robbins and her husband, Glenn, of Forest City and Elva Padgett of Graham, NC; one broth-er in-law, Jerry Padgett and his wife, Betty, of Forest City and by a number of wonderful nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be con-ducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 25, 2010 at Avondale United Methodist Church with Reverend Robert Hodgens officiat-ing. Interment will follow in Oak Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the church.

Memorial donations may be sent to Avondale United Methodist Church, PO Box 266, Henrietta, NC 28076.

Harrelson Funeral Home is serv-ing the family.

Online condolences may be reg-istered at www.harrelsonfuneral-home.com

Paid obit

Laddie BrackettMr. Laddie Brackett, 85, of

Golden Valley, died Thursday, January 21, 2010 after a long ill-ness.

He was the son of the late George and Rebecca Queen Brackett, and was also preceded in death by a son, Barry Wade Brackett. Laddie was a member of First Broad Baptist Church where he served as an usher; he was a farmer and retired millworker. He served in the Army during WWII in the Pacific; he was active in the Golden Valley Community Club and he was the Rutherford County Rural Development Council Outstanding Man of the Year in 2000.

He is survived by his wife, Elsie Rollins Brackett; three sons, Cecil Brackett of Ellenboro, Mickey Brackett of Spartanburg, SC, and David Brackett of Golden Valley; one daughter, Lois Poole of Ellenboro; a sister, Mittie “Dot” White of Morganton; ten grand-children, five great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

The Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, January 24, 2010 at First Broad Baptist Church. Rev. Kevin Towery and Rev. Charles Battle will officiate, and Daniel Brackett will provide a eulogy. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The Visitation was from 5 PM until 8 PM Saturday at Washburn & Dorsey Funeral Home, and at other times the family will be at the residence of David Brackett, at 7130 Bostic Sunshine Highway, Golden Valley.

Online guest book available at www.washburndorsey.com.

Paid obit

6A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

Calendar/loCal

as Little League or RC Soccer Association, Adopt-A-Park and Adopt-A-Trail programs, Rutherford Hospital or another medical provider, private sector such as business, indus-try or developers, and churches.

The need for improved communica-tion on parks-related issues also was cited in the plan.

It is recommended that Forest City:n identify a contact person to work

with the county for information relat-ed to Forest City.n create and update a brochure with

information on different programs, contacts and calendars.n create an information sign along

Main Street at Cool Springs Gym that could post current events, tourna-ments, sign-ups, etc.n keep the Forest City Recreation

Web page updated.The plan notes, “One item that both

State and National Park people like to see (especially when applying for grant funding) is how park and recre-ation facilities are linked. This can be done by sidewalks, bikeways, green-ways with trails, and rails to trails.”

The plan notes that Crowe Park is not easy for pedestrians to get to, and Callison Recreation Center does not have access for pedestrians except by walking on streets. All the other city parks and facilities are linked by side-walks.

The plan advises that new sidewalks could be created and the current Rails to Trails, which stops in Spindale, could be extended to Alexander Mills.

The plan also calls for an effort to build relationships with user groups by creating a user handbook that would include codes of behavior, scheduling of fields for maintenance, scheduling of fields for practice, and other appropriate topics, and by appointing one member of the Forest City Recreation Commission to act as a liaison with all user groups.

Concerning recreation planning, the document says, “Being in the midst of a tight economy does not lend itself well to new and expensive projects. But this does not mean that you can-not continue to plan for new future facilities when the time and economy is right.”

The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended plan-ning efforts concerning the develop-ment of a pedestrian and possibly a bicycle plan, a site-specific plan for the unused portion of James Crowe Park, and a site-specific plan for usage of the old elementary school that currently houses the Rutherford Opportunity Center.

Concerning Crowe Park, the plan states: “There is a lot of undeveloped acreage along the Second Broad River that could be utilized for a number of recreation activities. In the event the Town wanted to apply for a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Grant, a site-specific park plan would maximize points in the scoring system.”

At specific parks, the following was recommended:n Relighting of all baseball fields,

repair of field drainage and resurfac-ing of ball fields, repair of fencing, tree planting and continued replace-ment of aging playground equipment

at Crowe Park.n resurfacing of basketball courts at

Hardin Road Park.n new maintenance and storage

building and parking space or a study to see if more spaces are needed and where to put them at Forest City Park.n refinishing the pool bottom

surface, expanding areas inside the fence around the pool, developing some shade structures for some areas around the pool, replacing the gym floor and recoating the tennis courts at Callison Recreation Center/ Clay Street Pool.

New park benches are recommend-ed at various parks and facilities, as well as along certain pedestrian walks.

In presenting the five-year plan to commissioners Monday night, Chuck Nance, senior planner for Isothermal Planning and Development Commission, and Jody Wright, recre-ation director, emphasized that hav-ing the plan in place could be espe-cially significant in obtaining grants.

Since the plan was originally craft-ed in 2005, for example, the town received a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant to upgrade Crowe Park, and was able to install new bathrooms, a large picnic shelter, new baseball dugouts and new playground equipment.

Commissioners accepted the parks and recreation plan with the under-standing that it is just that, a plan, and does not commit the town to spe-cific action on the recommendations.

Contact Dale via e-mail at ldale@thedigi-talcourier.com

director. “We should know more soon.”

The project will be handled by the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina, an independent non-profit organization that employs advanced networking technologies and systems to continuously improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina’s K-20 education community.

MCNC operates the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), one of the nation’s first statewide education and research net-works. NCREN provides broadband communications technology services and support to K-12 school districts,

higher education campuses, academic research institutions, and public health facilities across the state.

“Increased broadband access for underserved areas is a critical infra-structure improvement that will help businesses of all sizes create jobs,” said Gov. Beverly Perdue. “NCREN will also play a vital role as part of my Career and College – Ready, Set, Go! Initiative, which will help ensure those businesses have access to a well-trained workforce.”

The ARRA appropriated $7.2 billion and directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) to expand broadband access to unserved and

underserved communities across the U.S., increase jobs, spur investments in technology and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits. The result is the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).

“I don’t know much at the detail level, but any new fiber is good news for our students and teachers,” said Rutherford County Schools IT Director Benny Hendrix. “If we did not have the fiber network right now access for teachers and students to those things on the Internet would have been just miserable.”

Contact Baughman via e-mail at sbaugh-man@thedigitalcourier.com.

red CrossBlood drives schedule: Jan. 25 — Red Cross Chapter House, 838 Oakland Road; Forest City, 2 to 6:30 p.m., call 287-5916 for an appointment;Jan. 28 — R-S Middle School, 2 to 7:30 p.m., call 286-8314 for an appointment.Classes: The following classes are offered at the Red Cross office:Adult, Child, Infant CPR: Feb. 13, begins at 8:30 a.m. Adult CPR: Feb. 15, begins at 6 p.m.Child, Infant CPR: Feb. 16, begins at 6 p.m.First Aid: Feb. 25, begins at 6 p.m., Preventing Disease Transmission.

Health/educationHealth screening: Plum Natural Market will host a health screening by Medical Screening Services on Thursday, Feb. 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. Walk-ins welcome, or to make an appointment, call 245-6842.

Community Health Clinic of Rutherford County provides access to primary medical care, well-ness education, medications and preventative programs. The clinic, open Monday through Thursday, is located at 127 E. Trade St., B 100, Forest City. Patients seen by appointment only. The clinic does not accept patients with private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. Call 245-0400.

Meetings/otherAchievement Program: ECA Annual Achievement Program; Tuesday, Jan. 26, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; meal and awards program at the Cooperative Extension Office, 193 Callahan Koon Road, Spindale; for more information, contact Tracy Davis at 287-6020.

Rutherford 912 Group meeting: Friday, Jan. 29, 7 to 8:30 p.m., NC Cooperative Extension, Callahan Koon Road, Spindale; for more information visit http://ruther-ford912.org.

Training program: The Employ-ment Security Commission offers a Food and Nutrition Employment and Training Program. If you are currently receiving food stamps and nutrition benefits and looking for work, contact the FNS Coordinator at the ESC office, 245-9841, for fur-ther details.

Workshop: Tier 1 N.C. Market-Ready Training Workshop; Thurs-day, Jan. 28 - Feb. 4, 11; Cooperative Extension Office, 193 Callahan-Koon Road, Spindale; focuses on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and what it takes to obtain GAPs certification; fee $10, includes course materials and refreshments; registration deadline Jan. 25; for information call 287-6011.

Quarterly meetings: Rutherford County Nursing Home and Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee meets quarterly with the Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman to review facility visi-tation reports and trends/concerns of residents in long term care facili-ties. For more information about committee vacancies or meeting date/time, call 287-2281.

MiscellaneousFoothills Harvest Ministry will hold a 25 cents sale Jan. 25-29 on all men and women’s slacks and jeans. Located at 120 E. Trade St., Forest City.

Play, supper: “Stand for Freedom” (on the American Revolutionary War) will be presented by local homeschool students on Saturday, Jan. 30, at Union Mills Learning Center; the program (free admis-sion) begins at 6 p.m.; spaghetti supper 4:30 to 6 p.m.; adults $6, children $4; proceeds from supper go to the Learning Center; hosted by S.T.A.N.D. Homeschoolers.

FundraisersBenefit: For Chelsea Brown; Saturday, Jan. 30, 4 to 7:30 p.m., The Little White Country Church; hot dog sale and baked goods; host-ed by the church youth; donations accepted.

Benefit ride: For 12-year-old Hayden Clark (diagnosed with Myoepithelioma); Saturday, March 20, at Rutherford County Moose Lodge; yard sale begins at 7 a.m.; barbecue plates, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; benefit ride starts at 2 p.m., $15 per single rider, $20 for dou-bles; music by Bandana and Double Cross, 6 to 9 p.m.; for information call 429-5195.

reunionsMcNair 20th anniversary: The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation will cel-ebrate its 20th year anniversary on May 14, 2010. If you are a McNair ROPE recipient, contact the founda-tion at rope2010@att.net or www.mcnairedfoundation.org.

Band reunion: East Rutherford Cavalier Band (1966-1976) members under W.W. Jacobus (1966-1976); planned for August 7, 2010 at the high school cafeteria; to be added to the mailing list email cavalierban-derhs@yahoo.com or by mail, P.O. Box 934, Forest City.

Thursday that helps people get ready for their job hunt or job interviews,” Montgomery said. “It is limited to about 12 people a week due to our space considerations. It helps people get their resume set up and prepare for interview questions.”

Starting last July, the ESC leader-ship decided to have dedicated per-sonnel helping those on FNS. The staff has been working for several

months to get it set up.“I’ve worked for the agency ten years

and spent five years in Forest City,” Montgomery said. “In the whole ten years I’ve been here it has been a pro-gram that was a mandatory for cer-tain people who were receiving FNS benefits.”

Montgomery said she can see the benefit of making the program volun-tary and that participation is up.

“I’ve got well over 100 people in the program right now and I’m get-ting new referrals everyday,” she said. “Considering the way the economy is

right now we’ve been fortunate that we can place several people in jobs. I’ve probably had close to 150 volun-teers and a lot of them been able to find jobs. I’ve had a few situations where with us calling them so early they’ve gotten the referral to a job on Wednesday, gone for an interview on Thursday and by the following Monday they’re working.”

Interested volunteers can reach Montgomery at 245-9841.

Contact Baughman via e-mail at sbaugh-man@thedigitalcourier.com.

BAGHDAD (AP) — The U.S. will appeal a court decision dismiss-ing manslaughter charges against five Blackwater Worldwide guards involved in a deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday.

Biden’s announcement after a meeting with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani shows just how diplomati-cally sensitive the incident remains nearly three years later. A lawyer for one guard, noting that word of the intended appeal came in Iraq,

accused the Obama administration of political expediency and the U.S. was pursuing an innocent man, rather than justice.

Blackwater security contractors were guarding U.S. diplomats when the guards opened fire in Nisoor Square, a crowded Baghdad intersec-tion, on Sept. 16, 2007. Seventeen people were killed, including women and children.

Biden expressed his “personal regret” for the shooting and said the Obama administration was disap-

pointed by the dismissal. “A dismissal is not an acquittal,” he said.

The U.S. rebuffed Iraqi demands that the U.S. contractors face trial in Iraqi courts. After a lengthy investi-gation, U.S. prosecutors charged five of the contractors with manslaughter and took a guilty plea from a sixth.

But the case fell apart when a feder-al trial judge in Washington, Ricardo Urbina, said in a Dec. 31 ruling that the Justice Department mishandled evidence and violated the guards’ constitutional rights.

ParksContinued from Page 1A

AdministrationJodi V. Brookshire/publisher . . . . . . . . . . .209Steven E. Parham/executive editor . . . . . .210Lori Spurling/ advertising director . . . . . . .224Pam Dixon/ ad production coordinator . . . 231Anthony Rollins/ circulation director . . . . .206

NewsroomScott Bowers, sports editor . . . . . . . . . . . . .213Jean Gordon, features editor . . . . . . . . . . . .211Abbe Byers, lifestyles editor . . . . . . . . . . . . .215Allison Flynn, editor/reporter . . . . . . . . . . . .218Garrett Byers, photography . . . . . . . . . . . . .212Scott Baughman, reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216Larry Dale, reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217Bobbie Greene, typesetting . . . . . . . . . . . . .220Virginia Rucker, contributing editor

Circulation

David Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208Virle Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Business officeJessica Higgins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202Cindy White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

AdvertisingChrissy Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226Jill Hasty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227Jessica Hendrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

ClassifiedErika Meyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205

MaintenanceGary Hardin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222

An operator will direct your call during business hours, 8 a .m . to 5 p .m ., Monday-Friday . After business hours, you can reach the person you are calling using this list . As soon as you hear the automated attendant, use your Touch Tone phone to dial 1 and the person’s extension or dial 3 for dial by name .

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today please call 245-6431 and ask for circulation.

If you call by 9 a.m. on Monday through Friday, a paper will be brought to your home. If you call after 9 a.m., we will make sure your carrier brings you the missed paper in the morning with that day’s edi-tion.

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Phone: 245-6431 Fax: 248-2790 www.thedigitalcourier.comE-mail: dailycourier@thedigitalcourier .com

StimulusContinued from Page 1A

JobContinued from Page 1A

Biden: U.S. will appeal Blackwater case

6/

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010 — 7A

Bill Hall retiring from Chamberafter 12 years

FOREST CITY — Bill Hall, Executive Director, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, told directors at the monthly board meeting that he plans to retire from the Chamber May 1.

“The Chamber needs new energy, enthusiasm and ideas and I need to get busy on some projects I’ve only dreamed about until now,” Hall said in his announcement.

Hall has managed the Chamber for the past 12 years.

The Chamber will begin an immediate search for his replacement.

Hall said he would assist in finding a new director and would extend his retirement date if necessary to effect a smooth change of manage-ment.

Helen Hernandez gets certification

SPINDALE – Connie Hicks, at Coldwell Banker 650 West Realty, has announced that Helen Hernandez has earned her SFR Certification through the National Association of Realtors.

“Hernandez is a specialist in residential real estate who has

been affili-ated with Coldwell Banker 650 West Realty for 1 1⁄2 years,” said Connie Hicks, at Coldwell Banker 650 West Realty. “During that time, she

has demonstrated the highest professional standards and a dedication to satisfying the needs of her clients by provid-ing them with the highest level of support available.”

In addition to her SFR Certification, Hernandez is approved by the Real Estate Commission as a Pre-licensing and Post-licensing instruc-tor. She is an active member of Rutherford County MLS and Board of Realtors, North Carolina Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors and North Carolina Real Estate Educators Association. She is also licensed as a Mortgage Loan Officer.

A native of Rutherford County and a graduate of Isothermal Community College, Hernandez lives in Ellenboro.

Coldwell Banker 650 West Realty located at 650 West Street, Spindale can be reached at 287-6500. Coldwell Banker 650 West Realty has been an affiliate of the Coldwell Banker® System for 2 years.

Textile company plans to add 50 jobs

GAFFNEY, S.C. (AP) — A textile company plans to expand its operations and will create 50 new jobs in northern South Carolina.

The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg reported that Suminoe Textile of America said Thursday it will invest $6.5 million to expand its operations in Cherokee County.

The company says it will con-vert an existing building into a carpet facility. The company makes seat coverings, flooring and throw mats for automotive manufacturers.

Hiring is expected to begin late next month.

Business Notes

Cereal maker carves out a nicheAn AP Member Exchange By CLIFF BELLAMYThe Herald-Sun of Durham

DURHAM — At Custom Choice Cereal, customers can pick from a variety of cereal mixes with names like Fruitfool, Southern Hospitality and Belizean Bliss. Other customers like to concoct personal mixes from a

set of ingredients. They can give their recipes a name, and some customers have created CinnaApriPump, flaked out, HazyCranPear ‘Nola, Blue Straw and Mike’s revenge.

Some of the monikers may have an intended levity, but the product that Custom Choice Cereal is marketing is serious food for people diagnosed

with celiac disease, or customers who have allergies to gluten. People with celiac disease suffer from digestive disorders when they eat foods with gluten, a type of protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

All the cereal grains at Custom

Please see Cereal, Page 8A

NEW BUSINESS

Sommers Homestyle Bakery & Deli, owned by Bill and Katherine Sommers, has opened for business at 392 Charlotte Road Rutherfordton. Sommers offers a wide assort-ment of soups, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, meats and cheeses and more. Specialty items include sweet breads and pies, cakes, cook-ies, and meats, as well as breakfast being served each day from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The deli is open Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The phone number is 828-286-3941.

Garrett Byers/Daily Courier

By TOM RAUMAssociated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — One year in, President Barack Obama faces a perilous economic choice.

He can’t pull back the stimulus too quickly, despite the public’s concerns about rising deficits, because that could kill a fragile recovery. If he steps too hard on the accelerator to create more jobs, responding to another voter imperative, he risks feeding infla-tion and restarting the dangerous cycle.

The GOP Senate upset in Massachusetts shows that the political risks of any bold move are enormous.

Either way, the road ahead prob-ably means painfully slow job cre-ation accompanied by more gov-ernment debt and higher taxes.

“Without significant changes to tax and government spending

policies, the budget outlook will deteriorate rapidly even after the costs associated with the financial crisis abate,” said Mark Zandi of Moody’s Economy.com, a former adviser to Republican Sen. John McCain who now counsels con-gressional Democrats.

When Obama took office in January 2009, financial markets were teetering, jobs were evapo-rating and global economic activ-ity was tanking faster than in the 1930s. A depression seemed imminent.

Now the economy is back from the brink, thanks largely to the most aggressive global govern-ment intervention in history.

“The economy is growing, albeit at an unsatisfactory rate,” said Lawrence Summers, direc-tor of the White House National Economic Council. While chances of a depression are “remote,” there

is still “a long, long, long way to go,” Summers acknowledged.

He said job creation will be the prime emphasis in the coming months, a priority to be reflected in the president’s State of the Union address on Wednesday night and in his budget proposal released next month.

Even before Democrats lost the Senate seat long held by the late Edward Kennedy, the empha-sis was beginning to shift from health care to jobs. The election race is accelerating the process.

“I think that is a wake-up call for everybody in this town,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

He said Obama will press for doing “everything possible to cre-ate an environment where the pri-vate sector is hiring again.”

Please see Decisions, Page 8A

Critical decisions are coming

Obama’s Economy

Associated PressPresident Barack Obama holds a town hall style meeting at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio, Friday. President Barack Obama is seeking to reassure voters that he is determined to create jobs while protect-ing an architect of the banking bailout who has angered voters but may have helped prevent a financial collapse.

Hernandez

7/

8A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

Business/finance

Ambitious health overhaul plans are being scaled back, at least for now.

While White House officials still insist they inherited a bro-ken economy from President George W. Bush, there’s little doubt that people now fully see it as Obama’s economy — and expect him to lead the way in fixing it.

More than half of the 7 mil-lion-plus jobs lost since the recession began in December 2007 vanished since Obama signed the $787 billion stimulus package last Feb. 17. That aid was intended to help reverse job losses.

The unemployment rate then was 7.6 percent. Now it’s 10 per-cent.

“If we as a country are not successful in establishing job growth and economic growth soundly, we will not achieve any of our objectives,” Summers said.

Obama and the Federal Reserve must get their exit strategies just right. They must unwind the low-interest rates and multibillion-dollar stimu-lus spending that have propped up the economy. Otherwise inflation could return with a vengeance and deficits become unsustainable.

Pulling back too quickly could plunge the economy into a “dou-ble-dip” recession.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt made that mistake in 1937 when he thought the Depression was over and decided to cut spending while the Fed tightened monetary policy. That only made things worse.

Few economists see a solid way ahead without higher taxes, and not just for the wealthy.

“Taxes are going to have to go up,” said William Galston, a

domestic policy aide to President Bill Clinton and now a scholar with the Brookings Institution. To suggest otherwise is “a denial not only of reality, but of neces-sity.”

Obama faces rising public fury toward bankers and bailouts at a time of double-digit unem-ployment along with pressure to rein in spending. This populist anger helped sweep little-known Republican Scott Brown to vic-tory in the Massachusetts Senate race.

Taking a harder line that some Democrats say was late in com-ing, Obama has proposed a spe-cial tax on large banks to recover “every last dime” of bailout mon-ey and wants to let regulators break up banks deemed too big to fail.

Beating up on banks and bank-ers is one of the few causes in town embraced by Democrats and Republicans alike.

Obama is expected to make spending restraint a theme of his State of the Union address, although aides say that signifi-cant belt-tightening will have to wait until after the recovery gains more steam.

He plans to create a bipartisan commission to make recommen-dations by the end of 2010 on how to reduce the budget deficit. This year’s projected $1.4 trillion deficit would add to a $12-tril-lion-plus national debt.

The commission also would make recommendations on taxes and spending on “enti-tlement” programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Its plan would go to Congress for up-and-down votes.

Obama must steer the economy through a darkening political storm for Democrats. In addi-tion to dropping the Senate contest in Massachusetts on Tuesday, the party lost gover-nors’ races last fall in New Jersey and Virginia. Coming this fall are congressional elections,

where the Democrats’ majority in Congress could be threatened.

Despite improvements in manufacturing and a strong 10-month stock market ral-ly, housing prices are still depressed, mortgage foreclosures increasing and bank loans tight for all but the biggest businesses. Factor in those people who have stopped looking for work or who are unable to find full-time jobs, and the “underemployment” rate swells to over 17 percent.

Gone at the White House is talk about “stimulus,” a word the public seems to associate more with bank bailouts and wasteful spending than new jobs. Instead, White House officials now talk about “target ideas” that “will have a positive impact on private sector hiring.”

“The road to recovery is never straight. We have to work every single day to get our econo-my moving again. For most Americans, and for me, that means jobs,” Obama said recent-ly.

It won’t be easy.Forecasters say it could be

years before the employment rate drops below 8 percent, let alone to pre-recession levels of 5 percent to 6 percent. It took four full years for employment to regain its peak after the mild 2001 recession.

Economists cite a rule-of-thumb that suggests it takes a 2 percentage point rise in the gross domestic product to lower the unemployment rate by 1 per-centage point. Government and private economists expect GDP growth of no more than about 2.5 percent to 3 percent this year.

“Where are the jobs?” House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, asks in news release after another, as the GOP lash-es out at Obama’s policies and basks in the Massachusetts vic-tory.

Choice are tested and guaranteed to be gluten-free, and free of any cross-contamination with grains containing gluten, said business owner Hajo Engelke. Common substitutes for grains with gluten are corn and rice. Custom Choice offers customers three base grains -- cinnamon granola, cornflakes and Good Morning Flakes (organic cornflakes enriched with flax, buckwheat, quinoa and amaranth).

Engelke, 28, who came to the area from his native Germany in 2007, and partner Patrick Williams, 29, started the online business in October. The business idea emerged when both were students in a course in entrepreneurship titled “Launching the Venture,” at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. A teacher in the class saw Engelke’s business plan, and suggested that he market a gluten-free product. Knowing people who had wheat allergies or issues with gluten also helped spur the business, he said.

Williams offered his help with getting a new company off the ground. (Williams has since taken a job in digital media in Greenville, N.C., but will continue to advise the company.) “To have this chance of going down the path of starting a busi-ness with a friend is just very rare,” Williams said.

While the product has health benefits for those with celiac disease, the overriding goal is to create cereals that taste good. People kept telling Engelke that “the moment you take gluten out of the food ... it becomes tasteless almost.” In addition to base grains, customers can add dried fruit (among the selections are apples, cranberries, strawberries, goji berries), along with nuts and seeds (almonds, sun-flower seeds, macadamia nuts and others).

Engelke does not have celiac disease, but custom-ers with the ailment have told him they like having someone without the disease — someone who can compare the taste of the non-gluten product to regular cereal — making the product. Engelke also is a cereal eater, and has taste preferences.

“I feel like we’ve created a very close substitute for regular cereal,” Williams said. He attributes the taste to the use of grains and other ingredients that are naturally gluten-free.

The business right now is pretty much a one-person operation, with Engelke acting as CEO, accountant and mixer. On a recent morning, he mixed a customer-created recipe. Wearing gloves, he weighed the ingredients on a scale, filled the bag (each bag is 12 ounces), and heat-sealed the package. “I kind of feel like a cocktail mixer,” he joked.

Each package comes with a Nutrition Facts label, and a stock number that can be used in later online purchases. Customers who make up their own product can take advantage of an online Nutrition Facts label: The values for each nutrient change depending on which food is added to or subtracted from the cereal.

A package costs about $6 average, but customers who pick up the product locally do not have to pay shipping charges. The business ships nationally and has about 120 customers currently, Engelke said, but the partners would like the company to have more of a national reach.

CerealContinued from Page 7A

DecisionsContinued from Page 7A

GREAT WITHCOFFEE,

AND PARTOF YOURMORNING!

The Daily Courier

8/

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STOCKS OF LOCAL INTERESTWk Wk YTD

Name Div Last Chg %Chg%ChgWk Wk YTD

Name Div Last Chg %Chg%ChgAT&T Inc 1.68 25.39 -.40 -1.6 -9.4Amazon ... 121.43 -5.71 -4.5 -9.7ArvMerit ... 10.28 -.77 -7.0 -8.1BB&T Cp .60 28.15 +.39 +1.4 +11.0BkofAm .04 14.90 -1.36 -8.4 -1.1BerkHa A ...105000.00+7500.00+7.7 +5.8Cisco ... 22.97 -1.43 -5.9 -4.1Delhaize 2.01 75.98 -.94 -1.2 -1.0Dell Inc ... 13.64 -.77 -5.3 -5.0DukeEngy .96 16.55 -.35 -2.1 -3.8ExxonMbl 1.68 66.10 -3.01 -4.4 -3.1FamilyDlr .62 30.36 -.25 -0.8 +9.1FifthThird .04 12.10 +.74 +6.5 +24.1FCtzBA 1.20 173.82 -3.18 -1.8 +6.0GenElec .40 16.11 -.33 -2.0 +6.5GoldmanS 1.40 154.12 -11.09 -6.7 -8.7Google ... 550.01-29.99 -5.2 -11.3KrispKrm ... 2.83 -.16 -5.4 -4.1

LeggPlat 1.04 20.02 -.97 -4.6 -1.9

Lowes .36 22.31 -.82 -3.5 -4.6

Microsoft .52 28.96 -1.90 -6.2 -5.0

PPG 2.16 59.92 -2.13 -3.4 +2.4

ParkerHan 1.00 57.62 -.94 -1.6 +6.9

ProgrssEn 2.48 38.52 -.41 -1.1 -6.1

RedHat ... 27.73 -1.35 -4.6 -10.3

RoyalBk g 2.00 49.93 -2.95 -5.6 -6.8

SaraLee .44 11.70 -.40 -3.3 -3.9

SonicAut ... 9.81 -1.14-10.4 -5.6

SonocoP 1.08 28.98 -.74 -2.5 -.9

SpectraEn 1.00 21.99 -.13 -0.6 +7.2

SpeedM .36 17.02 -.27 -1.6 -3.4

Timken .36 23.21 -1.79 -7.2 -2.1

UPS B 1.80 58.75 -3.18 -5.1 +2.4

WalMart 1.09 52.94 -.74 -1.4 -1.0

STOCK MARKET INDEXES

MUTUAL FUNDS

WEEKLY DOW JONES

10,729.89 6,469.95 Dow Jones Industrials 10,172.98 -436.67 -4.12 -2.45 +25.944,265.61 2,134.21 Dow Jones Transportation 4,005.08 -175.71 -4.20 -2.31 +35.04

408.57 288.66 Dow Jones Utilities 383.99 -14.08 -3.54 -3.52 +4.867,471.31 4,181.75 NYSE Composite 7,030.61 -326.18 -4.43 -2.15 +35.321,908.81 1,234.81 AMEX Index 1,820.31 -67.26 -3.56 -.25 +33.662,326.28 1,265.52 Nasdaq Composite 2,205.29 -82.70 -3.61 -2.81 +49.281,150.45 666.79 S&P 500 1,091.76 -44.27 -3.90 -2.09 +31.23

11,941.95 6,772.29 Wilshire 5000 11,348.59 -428.58 -3.64 -1.73 +35.34649.15 342.59 Russell 2000 617.12 -20.84 -3.27 -1.32 +38.88

3,152.30 1,789.23 Lipper Growth Index 2,982.29 -123.35 -3.97 -2.49 +44.38

52-Week Wk Wk YTD 12-moHigh Low Name Last Chg %Chg %Chg %Chg

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

PIMCO TotRetIs CI 115,919 10.96 +1.5 +14.6/C +7.1/A NL 5,000,000American Funds GrthAmA m LG 66,116 26.68 -2.2 +39.9/C +3.1/B 5.75 250American Funds CapIncBuA m IH 58,324 47.08 -1.2 +27.0/C +3.8/C 5.75 250Vanguard TotStIdx LB 58,004 26.98 -1.9 +37.8/B +1.4/B NL 3,000Fidelity Contra LG 57,153 56.46 -2.2 +34.7/D +4.7/A NL 2,500American Funds CpWldGrIA m WS 56,527 32.93 -2.6 +42.6/C +6.0/A 5.75 250American Funds IncAmerA m MA 49,431 15.33 -1.4 +31.4/B +3.0/B 5.75 250American Funds InvCoAmA m LB 49,143 25.42 -2.2 +33.2/D +1.9/B 5.75 250Vanguard 500Inv LB 48,312 100.60 -2.2 +35.1/C +0.7/C NL 3,000Vanguard InstIdx LB 44,401 99.93 -2.2 +35.2/C +0.8/C NL 5,000,000American Funds EurPacGrA m FB 40,624 37.05 -2.1 +48.9/B +7.7/A 5.75 250Dodge & Cox Stock LV 39,986 95.74 -0.9 +43.2/A -0.1/C NL 2,500American Funds WAMutInvA m LV 38,906 24.24 -2.0 +28.3/D +0.6/C 5.75 250Dodge & Cox IntlStk FV 36,757 30.95 -1.8 +63.6/A +5.5/A NL 2,500American Funds NewPerspA m WS 33,009 24.88 -2.2 +46.0/B +6.0/A 5.75 250Fidelity DivrIntl d FG 32,048 27.17 -1.7 +45.0/D +3.8/D NL 2,500American Funds FnInvA m LB 30,966 32.14 -1.7 +41.9/A +4.4/A 5.75 250PIMCO TotRetAdm b CI 30,268 10.96 +1.5 +14.4/C +6.9/A NL 5,000,000FrankTemp-Franklin Income A mCA 29,740 2.06 +0.1 +40.0/A +4.2/A 4.25 1,000American Funds BalA m MA 29,690 16.16 -0.7 +28.1/C +2.4/C 5.75 250Vanguard 500Adml LB 28,379 100.61 -2.2 +35.2/C +0.8/C NL 100,000Vanguard Welltn MA 28,289 28.62 -1.0 +28.4/C +5.1/A NL 10,000Fidelity GrowCo LG 28,159 67.13 -2.3 +44.0/B +5.2/A NL 2,500Vanguard TotStIAdm LB 27,762 26.98 -1.9 +37.9/B +1.4/B NL 100,000American Funds BondA m CI 27,358 11.98 +1.6 +16.9/B +2.8/E 3.75 250Vanguard TotIntl FB 26,043 14.08 -0.9 +53.4/A +5.5/B NL 3,000Vanguard InstPlus LB 24,767 99.94 -2.2 +35.3/C +0.8/C NL200,000,000Fidelity LowPriStk d MB 24,672 31.94 +0.3 +48.8/B +3.9/A NL 2,500T Rowe Price EqtyInc LV 15,493 20.68 -1.8 +39.4/A +1.0/B NL 2,500Hartford CapAprA m LB 9,880 30.19 -1.2 +53.5/A +4.1/A 5.50 1,000Pioneer PioneerA m LB 4,328 35.06 -1.8 +32.4/D +1.5/B 5.75 1,000Goldman Sachs ShDuGovA m GS 1,486 10.38 +0.4 +4.0/B +4.8/A 1.50 1,000Alliance Bernstein GrowIncA m LV 1,245 2.89 -2.0 +24.4/E -1.6/E 4.25 2,500DWS-Scudder REstA m SR 438 13.24 -5.8 +48.0/C +0.4/B 5.75 1,000Hartford GrowthL m LG 188 14.62 -1.9 +37.3/D +0.4/D 4.75 0

Total Assets Total Return/Rank Pct Min InitName Obj ($Mlns) NAV 4-wk 12-mo 5-year Load Invt

CA -Conservative Allocation, CI -Intermediate-Term Bond, ES -Europe Stock, FB -Foreign Large Blend, FG -Foreign LargeGrowth, FV -ForeignLarge Value, IH -World Allocation, LB -Large Blend, LG -Large Growth, LV -Large Value, MA -Moderate Allocation, MB -Mid-Cap Blend, MV - Mid-Cap Value, SH -Specialty-heath, WS -World Stock, Total Return: Chng in NAV with dividends reinvested. Rank: How fund performed vs. others withsame objective: A is in top 20%, E in bottom 20%. Min Init Invt: Minimum $ needed to invest in fund. Source: Morningstar.

NYSE7,030.61-326.18

AMEX1,820.31 -67.26

NASDAQ2,205.29 -82.70

WEEKLY STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS

Stock Footnotes: g = Dividends and earnings in Canadian dollars. h = Does not meet continued-listing standards.lf = Late filing with SEC. n = New in past 52 weeks. pf = Preferred. rs = Stock has undergone a reverse stock split of at least50 percent within the past year. rt = Right to buy security at a specified price. s = Stock has split by at least 20 percent with-in the last year. un = Units. vj = In bankruptcy or receivership. wd = When distributed. wi = When issued. wt = Warrants.Mutual Fund Footnotes: b = Fee covering market costs is paid from fund assets. d = Deferred sales charge, or redemptionfee. f = front load (sales charges). m = Multiple fees are charged. NA = not available. p = previous day’s net asset value. s= fund split shares during the week. x = fund paid a distribution during the week.Gainers and Losers must be worth at least$2 to be listed in tables at left. Most Actives must be worth at least $1. Volume in hundreds of shares. Source: TheAssociated Press. Sales figures are unofficial.

dd dd ddGAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Volume

Name Vol (00) Last ChgPwShs QQQ5886360 44.16 -1.69Intel 3302013 19.91 -.89Microsoft 2700303 28.96 -1.90Cisco 2037355 22.97 -1.43HuntBnk 1600185 4.69 +.41FifthThird 1472290 12.10 +.74eBay 1446235 23.58 +1.11MicronT 1375056 9.13 -1.00Oracle 1375034 24.15 -1.09ETrade 1326611 1.64 -.20

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE)

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg %ChgHanmiFncl 2.18 +.98 +81.7GenVec 2.99 +1.25 +71.8Somaxon 2.40 +.96 +66.7RoylBcPA 2.59 +.97 +60.1AehrTest 2.00 +.66 +49.3Toreador 13.05 +3.97 +43.7ParkBcp h 6.43 +1.91 +42.1FrontFn rs 4.83 +1.35 +38.8ApplRecyc 3.50 +.83 +31.1Stratasys 24.37 +5.74 +30.8

Name Last Chg %ChgCuris 2.37 -.85 -26.4A-Power 12.31 -4.23 -25.6ChinYida n 10.65 -3.35 -23.9ChAdvCns n5.38 -1.53 -22.1Tri-Tech n 15.44 -4.39 -22.1PFSweb 2.96 -.82 -21.7InfoLogx rs 2.84 -.76 -21.1RepubAir 5.42 -1.43 -20.9STEC 15.08 -3.98 -20.9ChinWind n 5.35 -1.40 -20.7

DIARYAdvanced 823Declined 2,040New Highs 253New Lows 30Total issues 2,927Unchanged 64

10,149,860,304Volume

Name Vol (00) Last ChgTaseko 268385 4.87 -.14GoldStr g 255131 2.88 -.52NA Pall g 180761 4.09 -.38VantageDrl 145818 1.58 +.13NovaGld g 139513 5.65 -.62NthgtM g 134234 2.98 -.33IsoRay 132699 1.16 +.33NwGold g 72018 4.20 -.23Rentech 70762 1.20 -.12GrtBasG g 69307 1.77 -.13

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE)

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg %ChgArrhythm 5.84 +2.13 +57.4AlldDefen 7.18 +2.47 +52.4Lodgian 2.47 +.72 +41.1SkyPFrtJ n 6.96 +1.48 +27.0HealthFit 8.71 +1.41 +19.4TelInstEl 6.41 +.96 +17.6SeabGld g 29.43 +3.43 +13.2ChMda wt 7.17 +.82 +12.9DocuSec 3.44 +.39 +12.8Bcp NJ 11.00 +1.24 +12.7

Name Last Chg %ChgAsiaSpcSit 7.46 -1.82 -19.6AlphaPro 3.50 -.74 -17.5AlexcoR g 3.07 -.63 -17.0OrchidsPP 18.00 -3.60 -16.7ShengInn n 7.51 -1.50 -16.6AlldNevG 12.93 -2.53 -16.4UQM Tech 5.00 -.97 -16.2FrontrD g 4.40 -.84 -16.0Intellichk 3.05 -.58 -16.0Neuralstem 2.03 -.37 -15.4

DIARYAdvanced 186Declined 333Unchanged 45Total issues 564New Highs 12New Lows 1

Name Vol (00) Last ChgCitigrp 26732950 3.25 -.17BkofAm 13606566 14.90 -1.36SPDR 9413585 109.21 -4.43SPDR Fncl 6090482 14.18 -.76FordM 4153072 10.52 -1.08GenElec 3779807 16.11 -.33iShEMkts 3453974 39.61 -2.34JPMorgCh 3242454 39.16 -4.52DirFBear rs3049758 19.88 +2.39Pfizer 2951337 18.96 -.53

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE)

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg %ChgBrinksHSec41.40 +9.98 +31.8DirChiBear 47.37 +9.47 +25.0WmsPtrs 37.94 +7.15 +23.2DirLatBear 51.40 +8.82 +20.7FstCwlth 5.70 +.95 +20.0WllmsPipln 28.02 +4.67 +20.0DirxDMBear16.24 +2.50 +18.2DirxEMBear 5.59 +.82 +17.2FredM pfT 2.24 +.31 +16.1DB AgDS 39.15 +5.33 +15.7

Name Last Chg %ChgZaleCp 2.35 -.67 -22.2DirxChiBull 31.60 -8.62 -21.4Jaguar g 10.30 -2.50 -19.5Gramrcy 3.49 -.84 -19.4MauiLnd 3.21 -.77 -19.3DirLatBull 28.85 -6.85 -19.2BeazerHm 4.10 -.92 -18.3Wabash 3.03 -.67 -18.1YingliGrn 12.63 -2.58 -17.0Medifast 18.88 -3.74 -16.5

DIARYAdvanced 564Declined 2,546Unchanged 83Total issues 3,193New Highs 75New Lows 4

6,320,591,398Volume 162,537,505

9,000

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J JA S O N D

CLOSED

MON

115.78

TUES

-122.28

WED

-213.27

THUR

-216.90

FRI

Close: 10,172.981-week change: -436.67 (-4.1%)

Dow Jones industrialsyou talk. we listen.

in person.HAVE YOU REVIEWED YOUR

LIFE INSURANCE LATELY?

daddy up here when they bought this plant and started it.

“When the Neislers bought the mill, they bought all these houses for the employ-ees, and that’s when we all moved up here from Kings Mountain. They sent us up here to run this mill.”

Smith’s father came to Ellenboro from the Margrace Mill in Kings Mountain.

The water at the 10 mill houses was supplied by the water tank at the plant. The Smiths had a four-room house, and he recalls that the rent was something like $3 or $4 a week then.

“It wasn’t much,” he said. “I know that.”

Smith still lives in one of the former mill houses in Ellenboro. He bought the house 44 years ago.

Smith recalls when the Neisler family owned a num-ber of textile mills.

“They were good people to work for,” he said. “Back then they were about low on the pay scale, I would think, in textiles. But they were good people to work for. One of the boys, Henry Neisler, is still running one in Shelby.

“I knew a bunch of them. When the Neislers owned this it was a woman, and I think she had about five boys, and then she sold it, because so many of the fam-ily was getting involved, until they owned five different mills. One of the boys and his two sons opened up the one in Shelby.”

Smith worked at the Neisler mill in Shelby for a while before returning to Ellenboro.

Smith started working at the Ellenboro plant when he was 16, in 1952.

“My first job was just doing odd things, carrying filling, digging under the basement with a pick and shovel,” he said. “They dug out, poured that, and made it bigger under the basement and brought some more looms in.

“Wade Short was the super-intendent. Lester Roland was my boss man on second shift. The reason I got a job there, my dad worked out there.”

“I started out at 75 cents an hour,” he recalled. “We got married in ’56, and I was working out here and I was bringing home about $36 or $40 a week. You could go to the grocery store and buy all your groceries for like $9 or $10 a week.”

Bob Rhyne, an Ellenboro native who also worked at the mill, recalls learning to weave, and the pay scale too.

“I was sweeping,” Rhyne said. “I had been there for several weeks. And Wade Short came by one day. And I said, ‘Hey, Wade, what about letting me learn to weave?’ He said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘I’ve been talking to those fellows and they make $60 or $70 a week. And I’m making $20 a week. I was making 50 cents an hour, $19.20 after they took out something. Social Security or whatever it was. He muttered, ‘We’ll see about it.’ Two or three nights later, Les Roland said, ‘Hey, see that woman over there? Go over there and help her.’ So I walked over and she says, ‘I’m supposed to teach you to weave?’ I said, ‘I hope so.’ She said, ‘OK. Let me start show-ing you.’ So she did.

“This was in the old days of Jacquard looms. They had a Jacquard head up there. And if you’re not careful, they could jump off the pick, and make a bad place. And back in those days, if you made any bad fabric, you had to pay for it. So anyway, she showed me. And I worked with her and worked with her. And after awhile she’d take off for an hour or two

and let me run it.“I eventually learned to

weave,” he said. “But I’d make a lot of mistakes. And although as far as produc-tion, I’d make $60 or $70, when they got through deducting my mistakes, I was usually back down to $20 or $30. It was sometime during that time it went from 50 cents an hour to 75 cents an hour, so you could make $30 a week. They couldn’t deduct you below the mini-mum, whatever it was. At the time I got to weaving it was $30 a week. So I’d make $70 and lose $40.

“That’s really illegal, but anyway, if you wanted a job, you did whatever they told you. I didn’t know until later it was illegal.”

Smith remembers the deductions, too.

“When you got to be a weaver, if you ran bad cloth, they took part of it (your pay) out,” he said. “They still paid you the minimum wage, but if you had made anything over that, they took part of it out. I eventually made weaver.”

The Ellenboro plant was not air conditioned, so it could get very hot in the summer.

“It was rough then,” Smith said. “I mean you had to work. No air conditioning. Open the widows in the summer. Lot of times when it got damp you couldn’t open the windows” because of the effect the humidity had on the looms.

“But I can say it was heated good in the wintertime,” he added. “Had that old coal furnace for a long time.”

The work was hard, and it could be hazardous.

“We’ve had some people get hurt,” Smith said. “I got hit right there (in the chest) with a shuttle one time. Old double shuttle loom. We had boards that hung on the end of the looms and that would get out of whack a little bit and throw the shuttle out.

“A lady at work got hurt. Got her hand down in a loom, and it turned over on her, crushed her hand, had to put wires and pins in. It was dangerous.”

Like all jobs, working in the mill had its memorable moments.

“The day after I was 16 years old, I went up there and applied for a job,” Rhyne said. “And Mr. Short, who was the plant manager at that time, sat there and looked at me a minute and said, ‘OK, come in tomor-row and I’ll put you to work.’ Which I did.

“I had been there two or three hours; they put me to sweeping. I saw the men were going down to the bath-room and leaning up against the wall, smoking. So I said, ‘Well, it must be break time.’

So I wandered down there and leaned against the wall with the rest of them. And the foreman, Les Roland, came in and said, ‘What you doing here, boy?’ and I said, ‘Just leaning against the wall with the rest of these fel-las.’ And he said, ‘If you’re not smoking, you don’t need to be here.’ I said, ‘Oh. OK,’ They had a little store there, in the corner, and I went and bought cigarettes. And that is the day I started smoking — and smoked for about 25 years.”

Smith recalled that dur-ing his early days at the mill, work might mean working in a hay field.

“I’d go in at 3 o’clock and leave and go drive a truck in the field to pick up hay until dark with the boys that didn’t have driver’s licenses,” he said. “And I’d drive the truck, and they would throw hay on the truck, and we’d take it to a farm house and then come back and work in the mill after it got dark. They owned a big farm here, the Neislers did. They lived on the farm and raised cot-ton and stuff like that.”

Smith also recalls that when he went to work at the mill, at 16, he thought some of his fellow workers were old. But actually they were just 20 or 21.

Smith especially remem-bers the good working rela-tionship he had when he was a fixer at the mill.

“When I worked on third shift out here, fixing, we all worked good together. All three of us fixers had that one whole end, and we worked together. Me and Ronnie McCombs and Gene Melton. We were the fixers on third. Double up and help one another, you know.”

When Smith returned to Ellenboro from Shelby, he came back as a fixer.

“When I came back Quaker Fabrics owned it,” he said. “And I was a fixer. It paid better. If the weavers did good on our section, we got a bonus. So, yeah, it paid bet-ter.”

Smith said he doesn’t recall any efforts to start a union at the Ellenboro mill, but he recalls a story he was told about a worker who thought he wasn’t going to do what he had been instructed to do.

“This was told to me,” he said. “I didn’t see it, but sup-posedly this one guy worked out there as a handyman, and they were doing some work for one of the sales per-sonnel that had an office in Forest City. Mr. Short told him to go up to Forest City and do some work, and he said, ‘I wasn’t hired for that. I was hired for here in the mill.’ He said, ‘I’ll just quit.’ They claim he went up on the

railroad track and sat down, and the mill didn’t shut down because he quit, so he came back down here to Mr. Short and asked if he could have his job back.”

The mill used Jacquard looms.

“Well, an old double shuttle Jacquard loom put a design in the cloth,” Smith said. “It had a head on it, that you could cut a card, and it would do that design. Way back, it was cardboard, and you cut it with a machine. Had little holes punched in it.

“When we first came up here they were running what they call frieze. That was a piece of fabric with a pile on it, raised-up pile, and it had a top pick, called a false pick, and you pulled it out, and you left that loop sticking up there.

“Then it went to putting that design in with a double shuttle with a head on it. Quaker Fabrics run cut vel-vet. We ran two pieces of cloth and cut it. A knife cut it in the middle.”

Smith recalls other things about the mill.

“Used to, when they had the dye house out there,” he said, “they would haul salt in on the railroad track up here and had a little side track. They would unload bags of salt to dye that fabric.” The salt set the dye in the fabric.

“I can remember the wom-en that sat on this end and fixed the bad cloth, that had the end out,” he also noted. “Sew that end back in. Had a slew of women that worked out there.

“We didn’t run but two looms back then, when we first started, those old hand shuttle jobs. You changed shuttles every time the filling ran out; it wasn’t automatic.”

Quaker Fabrics finally closed the mill, and Smith went to work for Paul Short in a fabric outlet, dealing with fabric again.

“I worked in textiles about all my life, really,” Smith said.

By contrast, Rhyne who started working at the mill in the fall of 1949, was destined not to stay there.

“I worked there two years, my junior and senior year. And when I graduated from high school I went off to the Air Force. So I came back. Didn’t have a job. Drawing what, $20 a week for 26 weeks? Anyway, I walked in and said, ‘Wade, you got anything for me to do?’ He said, ‘Yeah, we have. Bob.’ And that’s when he said, you know why I hired you? He said, well, I was finished the third or fourth grade, and I was hungry. I was on the street. And I saw your grand-pa, and I knew he was some kind of big man down at the

mill. And I walked up to him and said, ‘Mr. Rhyne, I’d like to have a job. He stood there and looked at me, and I said, ‘I’m hungry.’ And he said, ‘All right, you come down to the Margrace Mill, I think. I’m not sure which mill. Come down tomorrow. And Short said, ‘And he gave me a job. I never went back to school again.’ So he said, ‘When you walked in and said you wanted a job, I would have given you a job if I had to fire somebody.’ And I said, ‘Well, I appreciate it.’

“I worked two or three weeks, and I walked in and I said, ‘Mr. Short, I’m quit-ting.’ What you gonna do? he said. I said, ‘I’m going to go to school.’ I said, ‘There must be an easier way to make a living.’ And he says, ‘OK, but I tell you what I’ll do. If you want to stay, I’ll make you the foreman of the third shift. I said, ‘Sir?’ He said, ‘I’ll put you in charge of the third shift.’ I said, ‘What do you pay?’ He said, ‘$75 a week to start.’ Well, $75 a week in 1953 was not bad wages. ‘Hmm, let me think about it,’ I said. So I went home, and my wife and I talked, and we discussed it. I came back the next morn-ing and I said, ‘Wade, I’ve decided to go to school.’ He said, ‘Good. You made the right decision.’

“I said, ‘Now, I’m going to need a little money along.’ He said, ‘Anytime you walk in the door and want to work, I’ll leave word that you can work. Now, it’ll be nasty work. It’ll be cleaning looms, sweeping the floor, whatever. And I won’t pay you a lot, but you’ll have a job.’ I said, ‘Well, I appreciate it. And I did.’ Several times I went in there and they gave me a job. And I worked there off and on until I transferred the following year down to N.C. State. And I never worked there again after that. Now, my wife worked in the office for several years before I went to work and during the time I was off in service.

Smith, who did stay with textiles, recalls how he teased the Quake Fabrics folks.

“The ones (looms) I was telling you about when we put them in the basement,” he said, “they moved from Fall River, Mass. That’s where the Quaker Fabrics headquarters was. I used to accuse them of drop-ping them in the river until they rusted, and then they brought ’em down here and wanted us to run them.”

Symbolic of the American textile industry itself, Smith recalls that the old looms at the mill were later junked.

Contact Dale via e-mail at ldale@thedigitalcourier.com

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010 — 9A

LocaLMill

Continued from Page 1A

Photo courtesy of the Ellenboro Depot MuseumShown here at the textile mill in Ellenboro in 1933, are: front row, from left, Rev. Taylor, Geneva Hill Bridges, Estelle Canton, Mutt Clary, Hester Greene, Net Martin, Annie Laura Limerick, Katherine Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Graham, Erie Martin, Lorene Harrill, Pauline Kendrick, Ruby Harrill, Beatrice Edwards, Irene Hill, Grace Horn, Rev. Rooke; second row, Fred Hamrick, Marine Martin, Harry Hope, Rush Greene, Mr. Martin, unidentified, Canton, unidentified, Hawkins, Leonard Hope, J.B. Padgett, (first name unknown) Greene, Pete McGraw, Inez Graham; third row, unidentified, John Horn, Claude Bland, Ray Goldsmith, Carl Duncan, Welle Padgett, Oscar Harrill, Johnny McGraw; back row, Horace Bridges, (first name unknown) Blanton, Dever Cleary, Bryon Bridges, Howard Duncan, Norris Callahan, Louie Duncan, unidentified, unidentified, Gill Greene, (first name unknown) Blackwell, Joe Allen and Cliff Bridges.

9/

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10A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

Weather/nation

WeatherThe Daily Courier Weather

Moon Phases

Almanac

North Carolina Forecast

Today’s National Map

Full1/30

Last2/5

New2/13

First2/21

Today

Showers LikelyPrecip Chance: 90%

50º

Tonight

Showers LikelyPrecip Chance: 60%

42º

Monday

Partly CloudyPrecip Chance: 10%

55º 33º

Tuesday

Mostly SunnyPrecip Chance: 5%

48º 27º

Wednesday

SunnyPrecip Chance: 0%

52º 28º

Thursday

Mostly SunnyPrecip Chance: 5%

52º 29º

Sun and Moon

Local UV Index

Sunrise today . . . . .7:32 a.m.Sunset tonight . . . . .5:48 p.m.Moonrise today . . .12:09 p.m.Moonset today . . . . .1:56 a.m.

TemperaturesHigh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Normal High . . . . . . . . . . . .50Normal Low . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Precipitation24 hrs through 7 a.m. yest. .TraceMonth to date . . . . . . . . .2.68"Year to date . . . . . . . . . .2.68"

Barometric PressureHigh yesterday . . . . . . .30.05"

Relative HumidityHigh yesterday . . . . . . . . .87%

City Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Asheville . . . . . . .56/41 sh 50/29 mcCape Hatteras . . .65/58 t 62/46 shCharlotte . . . . . . .59/49 sh 57/34 mcFayetteville . . . . .65/53 t 62/37 shGreensboro . . . . .58/48 sh 57/34 shGreenville . . . . . .66/56 t 63/39 tHickory . . . . . . . . . .51/41 sh 54/33 mcJacksonville . . . .67/59 t 64/40 tKitty Hawk . . . . . .57/53 t 55/42 shNew Bern . . . . . .68/59 t 65/40 tRaleigh . . . . . . . .62/51 sh 60/36 shSouthern Pines . .62/52 sh 61/35 shWilmington . . . . .65/58 t 63/41 shWinston-Salem . .57/47 sh 56/34 sh

Around Our State

Across Our Nation

Weather (Wx): cl/cloudy; pc/partly cloudy;ra/rain; rs/rain & snow; s/sunny; sh/showers;

sn/snow; t/thunderstorms; w/windy

Today Monday

City Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Atlanta . . . . . . . . .62/44 ra 53/34 sBaltimore . . . . . . .52/49 sh 55/35 shChicago . . . . . . . .44/29 ra 31/22 snDetroit . . . . . . . . .47/33 ra 39/25 rsIndianapolis . . . .49/32 sh 35/23 snLos Angeles . . . .62/46 s 67/51 pcMiami . . . . . . . . . .81/70 mc 81/57 shNew York . . . . . . .46/44 ra 52/33 raPhiladelphia . . . .50/43 ra 48/34 raSacramento . . . . .49/44 ra 52/45 raSan Francisco . . .56/47 ra 57/49 raSeattle . . . . . . . . .51/44 cl 51/41 shTampa . . . . . . . . .79/63 s 71/48 tWashington, DC .53/48 sh 56/34 sh

Today Monday

Cold Front Stationary Front Warm Front Low Pressure High Pressure

L H

This map shows high temperatures,type of precipitation expected andlocation of frontal systems at noon.

L

L

H

80s

70s

60s

70s

60s

50s50s

40s

40s

40s 30s30s

30s

20s

20s

3 50 - 2 4 6 8 107 9 11+

0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, 6-7: High, 8-10: Very High, 11+: Extreme Exposure

Statistics provided by BroadRiver Water Authority through7 a.m. yesterday.

Elizabeth City60/54

Greenville66/56

Wilmington65/58

Greensboro56/51

Raleigh62/51

Charlotte59/49

Forest City50/42

Fayetteville65/53

Kinston68/57

Durham60/50

Asheville56/41

Winston-Salem57/47

Shown is today’s weather.Temperatures are today’s highsand tonight’s lows.

RAMADI, Iraq (AP) — The U.S. Marines marked the end of nearly seven years in Iraq on Saturday by handing the Army their command of Anbar province, once one of the war’s fiercest battlefields but now a center-piece of U.S.-Iraqi cooperation.

The changing of the guard — over-seen by military brass and some of Anbar’s influential Sunni sheiks — signals the start of an accelerated drawdown of American troops as the U.S. increasingly shifts its focus to the war in Afghanistan.

American commanders are trum-peting security gains in places such as the western Anbar province as a sign that their partnership with Iraqi security forces is working, and that the local troops can keep the country safe.

But fears are growing about a pos-sible resurgence in sectarian ten-sions — fed by the Shiite-dominated government’s plans to blacklist more than 500 parliamentary candidates over suspected links to Saddam Hussein’s regime.

In Baghdad, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met with Iraq’s leaders Saturday to try to alleviate the pres-sures. While he kept expectations of a breakthrough low — telling report-ers after a meeting with President Jalal Talabani it was up to the Iraqis, not him, to resolve the issue — his visit alone underscored Washington’s concern.

The White House worries the bans could raise questions over the fair-ness of the March 7 parliamentary election.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Hundreds gathered for the funeral of the archbishop of Haiti’s stricken capital Saturday, a rare formal cer-emony that captured the collec-tive mourning of a shattered nation where mass graves hold many of the dead.

Meanwhile, as the U.N. said the Haitian government had declared an end to searches for living people trapped in the rubble, yet another survivor was saved. Rescuers said they reached Wismond Exantus by digging a narrow tunnel through the wreckage of a hotel grocery store where he was buried for 11 days.

Exantus, who is in his 20s, was placed on a stretcher and given intra-venous fluids as onlookers cheered. He later told The Associated Press he survived by diving under a desk dur-ing the quake and later consuming some cola, beer and cookies in the cramped space.

“I was hungry, but every night I thought about the revelation that I would survive,” Exantus said from his hospital bed.

Authorities have stopped short of explicitly directing all teams to halt rescue efforts, and hopeful search-ers continued picking through the ruins. But U.N. relief workers said the shift in focus is critical to care for the thousands living in squalid, makeshift camps that lack sanitation. While deliveries of food, medicine and water have ticked up after initial logjams, the need continues to be overwhelming and doctors fear out-breaks of disease in the camps.

“It doesn’t mean the government will order them to stop. In case there is the slightest sign of life, they will act,” U.N. spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said. She added that, “except for miracles, hope is unfortunately fad-ing.”

All told, some 132 people have been pulled alive from beneath collapsed buildings by international search and rescue teams, she said.

Experts say the chance of saving trapped people begins diminishing after 72 hours. One mother still miss-ing her children said it’s too soon to give up.

“Maybe there’s a chance they’re still alive,” said Nicole Abraham, 33, wip-ing away tears as she spoke of hear-ing the cries of her children — ages 4, 6 and 15 — for the first two days after the quake.

Only a small number of funerals have been held since the 7.0-magni-tude quake struck, with most people

buried anonymously and without ceremony in mass graves on the outskirts of the city. An estimated 200,000 people died, according to Haitian government figures cited by the European Commission. The United Nations said Saturday the government had preliminarily con-firmed 111,481 bodies, but that figure does not account for corpses buried by relatives.

While the two-hour ceremony was held for Msgr. Joseph Serge Miot and vicar Charles Benoit, who also per-ished in the Jan. 12 earthquake, peo-ple in the crowd of about 2,000 wept for deeply personal losses.

“We feel like we have lost every-thing. Our child, our country, our friend,” said Junior Sant Juste, a 30-year-old father whose 3-year-old daughter died when his home col-lapsed.

The Mass, celebrated in a small park near the collapsed cathedral, offered “a way to share the pain and find solidarity,” said his wife, Roth Boisrond.

As many as 200,000 people have fled the city of 2 million, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development. About 609,000 people are homeless in the capital’s metro-politan area, and the United Nations estimates that up to 1 million could leave Haiti’s destroyed cities for rural areas already struggling with extreme poverty.

The quake destroyed key gov-ernment buildings including the National Palace, hampering the work of what was already a weak and inef-ficient state. In the days after the quake, aid groups complained about the U.S. military control of the inter-national airport, which became key for supplies because of a damaged seaport.

Flights have since increased, but President Rene Preval and former French Cabinet Minister Nicole S. Guedj on Saturday appealed for the creation of a U.N. humanitarian intervention force to coordinate and mobilize aid in international disas-ters. The force could be known as the Red Helmets, they suggested, as opposed to the blue-helmeted U.N. military peacekeepers.

“The great problem is the coordi-nation of aid,” Preval told reporters at the archbishop’s funeral. “What’s needed is that the aid be organized at a global level so that it can be mobi-lized rapidly so there will be no con-fusion on the ground.”

Associated PressWismond Exantus is rescued by a French search and rescue team after being trapped in rubble for 11 days in the aftermath of the massive earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday.

Haitians mourn dead; survivor pulled to safety

U.S. Iraq command ends

10/

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goat’s cheese - baby spinach - cucumbers - orange segments - fig vinaigrette

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scallions - mushrooms - garlic - lemon juice lakeside cheese grits

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828-287-2932 205 Fashion Circle • Rutherfordton, NC

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Fresh Hand-Cut Steaks & Chops

Free Range Organic Poultry

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Made-from-Scratch Desserts & Breads

Banquet Facilities for up to 40 people

Maple Bar with Beer, Wine and Cocktails

Garden Patio &Gift Certificates

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010 — 1B

Inside

Scoreboard . . . . . . . . . . Page .2BNCAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page .3BNFL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page .8B

When you don’t have a dog in the hunt, it is sometimes fun to make up a little reason to just watch the games anyway.

This weekend, the NFL will treat us to its version of a ‘Final Four.’

Oh, Cowboys’ fans — today is Sunday, January 24 and it’s okay to come back outside.

The Minnesota Vikings will make a trip to the Big Easy to face the New Orleans Saints. I like Drew Brees, all those offensive weapons, a strong defense that takes the ball away, and an absolutely fren-zied home crowd to lift the Saints to a 34-24 win.

The upstart New York Jets will play in the day’s early game against the Indianapolis Colts. ‘Broadway’ Mark Sanchez and the Green Machine are play-ing with house money as they face ‘Mr. Unflappable,’ Peyton Manning and the Lucky Horse Shoes. I’ll take Gang Green, 27-21, over the Colts.

Those picks will make the NFL very happy.

That is because the powers that be in the NFL, includ-ing commissioner Roger Goodell, have been trying to force feed football upon the Europeans for quite sometime now. Goodell and a collection of owners seem convinced that the future of the NFL includes teams in London and Paris

I suppose the Billionaire Boys Club that is the NFL would like to set up shop on the other side of the pond, in order to maxi-mize the amount of money they take in. Or, they simply want to overcome some Napoleonic complex.

Either way, I think a Super Bowl of New York vs. New Orleans will get Europeans to watch the game.

Orleans, France is a city of roughly 120,000 frog-eating Frenchmen. The city itself was founded on the ruins of a Gallic city, Cenabum. Cenabum was destroyed by Julius Caesar, after the Galls had the gall to call Caesar, ‘a puny little man.’ You can look it up.

Orleans was also the site of, perhaps, Joan of Arc’s great-est military victory during the Hundred Years War. She added the extra point as time expired lifting the Orleans Orioles to a 7-6 win over the English. Again, look it up.

On the other side of the Chunnel, there is York, England. York is a walled city of roughly 200,000 good fish and chips eating Englishmen.

The city was founded 19 years before Caesar sacked Orleans. The Romans ruled York until 415 A.D., when someone reminded them that, ‘you ain’t in Rome no more, Jimmy.’ The Romans, a little embarrassed, promptly and politely left. Yeah, you can look that up.

In, or around, the late 1,600s, several hundred Yorksters and Orleansians headed west for America. They came look-ing for the Holy Grail and McDonalds.

Now, three hundred years later, ‘New’ York and ‘New’ Orleans could meet in a Super Bowl and the winner will get Europe. The downside to a pos-sible New York-New Orleans’ Super Bowl is that World War III might break out.

Okay, I change my picks — The Minnesota Vikings, found-ed by Lair the Untruthful, will battle the Indianapolis Colts, started by Mr. Ed. At least that way we can avoid WWIII and keep football where it belongs, here in the good ol’ US of A.

I should teach history.

Scott .Bowers

Off The Wall

A .game .Europe .might .like

South .Mountain .Swimming

Garrett Byers/Daily CourierChase’s Josh Lyons (top, clockwise) swims the Mens 200-yard Freestyle; East’s Kristen Iwerks dives off the starting block to begin the Womens 300-yard Freestyle; and Lyons (left) and East’s Brandon Barber head to the wall during the Mens 200-yard Freestyle. Six schools in the South Mountain 3A/2A Athletic Conference sent roughly 200 swimmers into the pool to compete in the 2010 SMAC Swimming Championships on Saturday at Isothermal Community College.

Holmstrom, Kingery named MVPsBy SCOTT BOWERS and KEVIN CARVERDaily Courier Sports Reporters

SPINDALE — The 2010 South Mountain 3A/2A Athletic Conference Swimming Championships were held at Isothermal Community College, Saturday.

Six of the seven South Mountain programs took part in Saturday’s event, including all three Rutherford County programs in the SMAC — Chase, East Rutherford, and R-S

Central. The swim meet lasted nearly six hours as technical prob-lems marred the start of the day, and coaches worked nine hours to make sure the event went as smoothly as possible.

While county teams were unable to capture the crowns, two county swim-mers had strong performances.

R-S Central’s Kaley Holmstrom was named the 2010 Women’s Most Valuable Swimmer after winning the 200-yard IM and the 100-yard Breaststroke.

Chase’s Zane Kingery was named the 2010 Men’s Most Valuable Swimmer after winning the 100-yard Freestyle.

Shelby’s girls team posted 440 points to take the conference title. Central finished fourth (275), Chase was fifth (187.5), and East finished sixth (60).

Freedom’s boys team claimed 441 total points to win the conference title. Chase was second with a solid

Please see Swimming, Page 3B

Devils .& .Tigers, .Oh .My!

Associated PressWake Forest’s Chas McFarland, right, beats Virginia’s Mustapha Farrakhan to a loose ball during an NCAA college basketball game at the LJVM Coliseum in Winston-Salem, Saturday.

WINSTON-SALEM (AP) — Ishmael Smith scored 21 points Saturday to help Wake Forest beat Virginia 69-57.

Chas McFarland added 16 points for the Demon Deacons (14-4, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who blew the game open with an 18-1 run spanning halftime. Wake Forest got plenty of close looks early and shot 52 percent, while its defense completely shut down the league’s surprise first-place team.

Sylven Landesberg scored 18

points as the Cavaliers (12-5, 3-1) shot just 34 percent and managed 15 first-half points. They also went 10 minutes without a field goal during the decisive run, with Landesberg on the bench for much of that with early foul trouble.

Virginia was picked to finish 11th in the 12-team ACC, but entered as the last unbeaten team in league play for the first time since the 1994-95 season. The Cavaliers also had an eight-game winning streak, their longest in six years.

Associated PressDuke’s Jon Scheyer (30) shoot a 3-pointer as Clemson’s Andre Young (11) tries to block the shot dur-ing the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, S.C. As of press time, Duke lead 35-28 in the second half.

Wake steals one from Cavs

n UConn 88, No. 1 Texas 74n No. 2 Kentucky 101, Arkansas 70n Georgia 78, No. 8 Tenn. 63

Scores of note

b front/

2B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

sports

FOOTBALLNFL Playoff Glance

Wild Card RoundSaturday, Jan. 9

N.Y. Jets 24, Cincinnati 14Dallas 34, Philadelphia 14

Sunday, Jan. 10Baltimore 33, New England 14Arizona 51, Green Bay 45, OT

Divisional PlayoffsSaturday, Jan. 16

New Orleans 45, Arizona 14Indianapolis 20, Baltimore 3

Sunday, Jan. 17Minnesota 34, Dallas 3N.Y. Jets 17, San Diego 14

Conference ChampionshipsSunday, Jan. 24

N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis, 3 p.m. (CBS)Minnesota at New Orleans, 6:40 p.m. (FOX)

Pro BowlSunday, Jan. 31

At MiamiAFC vs. NFC, 7:20 p.m. (ESPN)

Super BowlSunday, Feb. 7

At MiamiNFC champion vs. AFC champion, 6:25 p.m. (CBS)

BASKETBALLNational Basketball Association

EASTERN CONFERENCEAtlantic Division

W L Pct GBBoston 28 13 .683 — Toronto 22 22 .500 7 1/2New York 17 25 .405 11 1/2Philadelphia 14 28 .333 14 1/2New Jersey 3 39 .071 25 1/2

Southeast Division W L Pct GBAtlanta 28 14 .667 — Orlando 28 15 .651 1/2Miami 22 20 .524 6 Charlotte 21 20 .512 6 1/2Washington 14 28 .333 14

Central Division W L Pct GBCleveland 33 11 .750 — Chicago 19 22 .463 12 1/2Milwaukee 17 24 .415 14 1/2Detroit 15 27 .357 17 Indiana 15 28 .349 17 1/2

WESTERN CONFERENCESouthwest Division

W L Pct GB

Dallas 28 15 .651 — San Antonio 25 17 .595 2 1/2Houston 24 18 .571 3 1/2Memphis 23 19 .548 4 1/2New Orleans 23 19 .548 4 1/2

Northwest Division W L Pct GBDenver 28 14 .667 — Portland 26 18 .591 3 Utah 24 18 .571 4 Oklahoma City 24 19 .558 4 1/2Minnesota 9 35 .205 20

Pacific Division W L Pct GBL.A. Lakers 33 10 .767 — Phoenix 25 19 .568 8 1/2L.A. Clippers 19 23 .452 13 1/2Sacramento 15 27 .357 17 1/2Golden State 13 28 .317 19

Friday’s GamesMiami 112, Washington 88Toronto 101, Milwaukee 96Philadelphia 92, Dallas 81Orlando 100, Sacramento 84Atlanta 103, Charlotte 89Boston 98, Portland 95, OTMemphis 86, Oklahoma City 84New Orleans 96, Minnesota 94Indiana 105, Detroit 93L.A. Lakers 115, New York 105Houston 116, San Antonio 109Golden State 111, New Jersey 79Chicago 115, Phoenix 104

Saturday’s GamesPhiladelphia 107, Indiana 97Orlando 106, Charlotte 95, OTPortland at Detroit, lateOklahoma City at Cleveland, lateSacramento at Miami, lateChicago at Houston, lateMinnesota at Milwaukee, lateNew Orleans at Denver, lateNew Jersey at Utah, lateGolden State at Phoenix, lateSunday’s GamesL.A. Clippers at Washington, 1 p.m.Dallas at New York, 1 p.m.L.A. Lakers at Toronto, 6 p.m.Monday’s GamesIndiana at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.L.A. Clippers at Boston, 7:30 p.m.Cleveland at Miami, 7:30 p.m.Orlando at Memphis, 8 p.m.Atlanta at Houston, 8:30 p.m.Chicago at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.Charlotte at Denver, 9 p.m.Phoenix at Utah, 9 p.m.New Orleans at Portland, 10 p.m.

HOCKEYNational Hockey League

EASTERN CONFERENCEAtlantic Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GANew Jersey 49 33 15 1 67 134 108Pittsburgh 52 31 20 1 63 166 149Philadelphia 50 26 21 3 55 154 142N.Y. Rangers 51 24 20 7 55 135 135N.Y. Islanders 51 23 20 8 54 137 153

Northeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF GABuffalo 49 30 12 7 67 141 117Ottawa 53 28 21 4 60 147 154Boston 50 23 19 8 54 126 126Montreal 52 24 23 5 53 134 144Toronto 52 17 25 10 44 139 180

Southeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF GAWashington 50 32 12 6 70 191 141Atlanta 50 22 21 7 51 155 164Florida 51 21 21 9 51 142 153Tampa Bay 50 20 20 10 50 130 156Carolina 50 15 28 7 37 127 171

WESTERN CONFERENCECentral Division

GP W L OT Pts GF GAChicago 51 35 12 4 74 169 115Nashville 51 29 19 3 61 143 142Detroit 50 25 17 8 58 129 130St. Louis 50 22 21 7 51 132 142Columbus 53 20 24 9 49 140 176

Northwest Division GP W L OT Pts GF GAColorado 50 29 15 6 64 149 136Vancouver 50 30 18 2 62 162 124Calgary 51 26 19 6 58 132 132Minnesota 51 24 23 4 52 141 154Edmonton 50 16 28 6 38 133 172

Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF GASan Jose 52 34 10 8 76 174 126Phoenix 51 29 17 5 63 137 131Los Angeles 50 28 19 3 59 148 141Dallas 51 22 18 11 55 148 164Anaheim 51 23 21 7 53 144 161

Friday’s GamesMontreal 3, New Jersey 1Colorado 2, Nashville 1Dallas 4, Edmonton 3Saturday’s GamesOttawa 2, Boston 1Philadelphia 4, Carolina 2Montreal 6, N.Y. Rangers 0New Jersey 4, N.Y. Islanders 2Washington 4, Phoenix 2Florida 2, Toronto 0Los Angeles 3, Detroit 2Atlanta at Tampa Bay, lateAnaheim at St. Louis, lateColumbus at Minnesota, lateChicago at Vancouver, lateBuffalo at San Jose, lateSunday’s GamesPittsburgh at Philadelphia, 12:30 p.m.Boston at Carolina, 5 p.m.Dallas at Colorado, 8 p.m.Monday’s GamesPittsburgh at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.St. Louis at Calgary, 9:30 p.m.Buffalo at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

Scoreboard

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jeff Carter had two goals and an assist to lead the Flyers to a 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday for Philadelphia’s sixth straight home win.

Dan Carcillo and Chris Pronger also scored for Philadelphia and Ray Emery stopped 33 shots.

Despite outshooting the Flyers, Carolina remained winless against them in their past 14 meetings (0-11-3), while Philadelphia has won three in a row overall.

Eric Staal and Rod Brind’Amour scored for Carolina.

Carter leads Flyers to 4-2 win over Hurricanes

Associated PressPhiladelphia Flyers’ Arron Asham, right, checks Carolina Hurricanes’ Brandon Sutter into the boards in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, in Philadelphia.

Associated PressOrlando Magic’s Dwight Howard (12) dunks as Charlotte Bobcats’ Nazr Mohammed (13) looks on in the first half in Charlotte, Saturday.

CHARLOTTE (AP) — Jameer Nelson scored six of his 21 points in overtime and the Orlando Magic recovered after blowing a big lead to beat the Charlotte Bobcats 106-95 on Saturday night for their third straight victory.

While the Bobcats had won nine straight at home and entered 18-4 on their home floor, the Magic’s experience showed late despite a recent streak of bad play.

After Stephen Jackson’s layup with 1.2 seconds left in regulation completed Charlotte’s comeback from a 16-point third-quarter deficit, Nelson hit a jumper and two free throws in an 11-0 run to start OT.

Vince Carter added 21 points and helped hold Gerald Wallace to nine points.

D.J. Augustin scored 22 points for Charlotte.

Nelson rescues Magic in OT win over Bobcats

Editor’s note: The Daily Courier will present profiles of various Rutherford County student-athletes, who com-pete in a wide variety of sports. The Courier will look to run this feature bimonthly and hopes to include high school and middle school athletes from all schools located in the county.

Chase’s Hunt is cooking in the pool

Haley Hunt, a senior at Chase High, has enjoyed her four years on the Trojans swim team.

“I just enjoy being around the people that I swim with and the competition that goes along with swim-ming,” Hunt said.

Hunt’s par-ents are James and Pandora. James works at Chase Middle as a teacher,

while Pandora works at Tanner. Haley has a one brother, Brian. Her dad coaches wrestling at the middle school, while her brother played soccer.

Haley’s favorite classroom subject is English and her favor-ite hobby away from school is cooking. She also enjoys playing soccer in her spare time and is a member of the Trojans girls soccer team. She would like to enroll in culinary school after graduation.

Haley’s favorite TV show is watching any of the Paula Dean cooking shows, and she adds that Ace of Cakes is another one of her favorites.

Her favorite swimming event is the 100-yard Breaststroke, but she takes part in 200- and 100-yard Freestyle, plus is a member of the 200-yard Medley Relay team.

She has qualified for the state swimming tourney for the past 3 seasons and was the county champion in her sophomore sea-son and took home all-confer-ence honors in her freshman and sophomore years.

East’s Arrowood swimming strong

Zachery Arrowood, who is a senior is a member of the East Rutherford swim team, was pinpointed as a great team

leader and motivator by East Rutherford Swim Coach Tara Mauney said.

“Swimming is a sport I had never tried and I just became interested in it,” Arrowood said. “I also thought it would be a good way to stay in shape and that has worked out.”

Zachery’s parents are Steve and Deborah Deese. Deborah is a retired school teacher and Steve is a truck driver for AGI. Steve is a former football player at East Rutherford and Appalachian

State. Deborah formerly ran track and was a cheer-leader at East Rutherford. His family includes one brother, Jacob and three sis-ters, Emily, Victoria and Julie.

Zachery’s favorite subjects in high school are science and drafting.

He participates in the FFA, the FCA and is a part of After School Volunteering on the Cavaliers campus.

In swimming, he participates in the 200-yard Freestyle, 200-yard Medley Relay, 100-yard Freestyle, 50-yard Freestyle, and 100-yard Breaststroke events. His favorite of those in which to swim is the 50-yard Freestyle.

“Swimming has taught me to be a team player,” Arrowood said. “I used to think it was all about me, but not anymore.”

RSC’s McLaughlin hits nothing but net

Melissa McLaughlin is a senior at R-S Central High School and competes in basket-ball, softball and cross country for the Hilltoppers.

She also plays AAU basketball in the summer.

“Basketball has been my passion since I was little,” McLaughlin said. “Me and my brothers played basketball every-day after school.”

Andrew and Karen McLaughlin are Melissa’s par-ents, with brother, Drew and step-brother, Matt Ferris com-pleting her family.

Drew played football and base-

ball for Central. Drew went on to play a year of football at Carson-Newman and Matt has played baseball.

Melissa’s favorite subject is English since she likes to read. She is a member of the Buddy Club at Central and she also vol-unteers at the hospital. Away from school she likes to hang out with friends, go to the movies, shop, drive and work out.

In her four years at Central, her favorite sports moments include eclipsing the 1,000 point mark for her career and the Lady Hilltoppers overtime vic-tory over Veritas in December, 2008.

The TV shows she tunes into the most are American Idol and Modern Family, but Friends is her favorite.

Blasting from her car, Melissa is likely to be listening to the music of Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus or Lil’ Wayne.

Following high school she plans on attending Wheaton College in Massachusetts to major in political science.

TJCA’s Thompson is loving the water

Sammi Jo Thompson is a senior at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy and is among one of three students on the swim team.

As to why she picked swim-ming of all the sports that can be played at Thomas Jefferson, the answer was easy.

“It’s the only sport I have ever done since the age of six,” Thompson said.

She is the daughter of Craig and Linda Thompson and her sister is Sarah. Craig used to play high school football and swim. Linda still runs marathons.

Her favorite subjects in school are biology and history. At Thomas Jefferson, she is mem-ber of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club. Away from school, Sammi Jo enjoys club swimming and reading.

She is hoping to go to Clemson University after high school and enroll in Animal Sciences for Pre-Veterinarian.

She competes in the 200-yard Freestyle, 500-yard Freestyle, but her favorite swim event 100- or the 200-yard Backstroke.

Rutherford County Sports Profiles

Hunt Arrowood

2B/

No Enrollment Fee Get Paid to Get Fit Bursitis/Tendonitis?

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010 — 3B

sports

326 points, while East was fifth (164), and Central was sixth (152).

In early action, Central’s Holmstrom and Kendall Corbett pulled down important wins for the Hilltoppers.

Holmstrom cruised to a win in the Girls 200-yard IM with a time of 2:23.08; 14 seconds faster than teammate Christy Powell, who claimed second.

Corbett won the Boys 200-yard IM by besting East Rutherford’s Kyle Maynard. Corbett’s 2:21.32 was 13 seconds ahead of Maynard’s 2:34.32.

Chase’s Evan Morse and Zane Kingery gave the Trojans first place finishes in two different events.

Morse won the Boys 200-yard Freestyle in 2:04.84, while Kingery captured the crown in the Boys 100-yard Freestyle with a speedy 57 second time.

East’s Maynard, later in the day, got a win for the Cavaliers.

Maynard reached the wall in 6:15.34 in the Boys 500-yard Freestyle to take the victory.

Corbett, a winner in the 200-yard IM, added a second win with a strong swim in the Boys 100-yard Backstroke. Corbett hit the wall in 1:03.88 for the win, just clipping Chase’s Kingery by

four seconds.Holmstrom’s final win of

the day came in the 100-yard Breaststroke. Holmstrom (1:13.92) edged Chase’s Hunt by nine seconds for the victory.

All swimmers, who have quali-fied, will next swim in the 3A or 2A Regionals in February.

UConn shocks Texas; Georgia stuns Tennessee

SwimmingContinued from Page 1B

Garrett Byers/Daily CourierAn unidentified R-S Central swimmer competes in a relay event during the 2010 South Mountain 3A/2A Conference Swimming Championships at Isothermal Community College, Saturday.

Associated PressGeorgia forward Trey Thompkins (33) dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee at Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday, in Athens, Ga.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Maryland presented Gary Williams a victory in his 1,000th game as a college head coach, getting 19 points from slow-starting Greivis Vasquez in an 88-64 rout of North Carolina State on Saturday night.

Vasquez scored 17 after half-time on 6-for-8 shooting, and Landon Milbourne finished with 18 points for the Terrapins (13-5, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference).

Williams is 638-362 over a 32-year coaching career that began at American University

and included stays at Boston College and Ohio State. He is 431-234 in 21 seasons at Maryland, where he won the 2002 national championship.

Williams’ latest victory at his alma mater, combined with Virginia’s loss at Wake Forest, lifted the Terrapins into a tie atop the ACC standings.

Tracy Smith scored 18 for N.C. State (13-7, 2-4). Coming off a home win over Duke, the Wolfpack fell behind early and never caught up in their sixth straight loss to Maryland.

After Milbourne opened the second half with a layup to put the Terrapins up by 10, Vasquez followed with a 3-pointer that he punctuated with a little dance for the sellout crowd. Minutes later, Vasquez and Milbourne connected from beyond the arc to make it 59-41 with 13:54 remaining.

The margin swelled to 22 points with 5 minutes left.

Milbourne scored 10 points and reserve Cliff Tucker had nine to help Maryland take a 41-33 halftime lead.

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Jerome Dyson scored a career-high 32 points and Connecticut overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to upset top-ranked Texas 88-74 on Saturday.

It was the Longhorns’ second consecutive loss after winning their first 17 games.

No. 2 Kentucky 101, Arkansas 70LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Darius Miller had a

career-high 18 points, DeMarcus Cousins got his 10th double-double and the Wildcats kept alive the nation’s only unblemished record (19-0, 4-0 SEC).

No. 3 Kansas 84, Iowa State 61AMES, Iowa (AP) — Cole Aldrich tied a season

high with 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and the No. 3 Jayhakws won their fourth straight to stay perfect in the Big 12.

No. 4 Villanova 81, St. John’s 71NEW YORK (AP) — Scottie Reynolds scored 19

points and the fourth-ranked Wildcats matched the 1950-51 team for the best start in school his-tory.

No. 5 Syracuse 76, Marquette 71SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Wes Johnson scored

22 points, including a momentum-bursting alley-oop, and added 15 rebounds to lead fifth-ranked Orange.

No. 6 Michigan State 65, Minnesota 64MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) — Kalin Lucas

scored 22 points, Raymar Morgan added 17 and the No. 6 Spartans won their eighth straight while matching their best Big Ten start since 1977-78.

Georgia 78, No. 8 Tennessee 63ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Trey Thompkins scored 21

points and Georgia led by double digits most of the way to end the Vols’ seven-game winning streak.

Oklahoma St. 73, No. 10 Kansas St. 69MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — James Anderson

scored 30 points and Obi Muonelo hit two key 3-pointers in the final minutes to boost Oklahoma State just six days after Kansas State beat No. 1 Texas on the same court.

No. 11 West Virginia 71, No. 21 Ohio State 65MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Da’Sean Butler

scored 21 points and No. 11 West Virginia came from 14 points down to beat No. 21 Ohio State 71-65 on Saturday.

Maryland beats NC State, 88-64

Hendrick rebuilds ‘Team Junior’By JENNA FRYERAP Auto Racing Writer

CHARLOTTE — The phone conversation between NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick and crew chief Alan Gustafson was short and to the point.

“’Hey man,”’ Gustafson said Hendrick told him, “’the 88 has got to run good, capiche?”’

Sure thing, boss.Hendrick Motorsports, cur-

rently the most successful team in NASCAR, ended last season with a serious organizational problem. Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon swept the top three spots in the final standings, but superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. was a distant 25th.

Earnhardt, NASCAR’s most popular driver, went winless in his heavily sponsored No. 88 Chevrolet. He notched just five top-10 finishes, had his crew chief — who is also his cousin — fired midway through the sea-son, and suffered through the most confidence-rattling season of his 10-year Cup career.

It was clear that getting Earnhardt’s team back on pace with the other HMS drivers needed to be the top priority of the offseason. Although it’s a companywide effort, the task of making it happen primar-ily falls to Earnhardt crew chief Lance McGrew and Gustafson, who led Martin to five wins last season and a runner-up finish to Johnson in the standings.

But Martin, Gustafson and the No. 5 team are already at the top of the sport, perhaps just a step or two away from winning the coveted Sprint Cup. So why in the world would they agree to help McGrew and Earnhardt

rebuild a team that seemed lost so many times last season? The move required a total restruc-turing of shop practices, and the shifting of Gustafson’s lead race engineer and a key mechanic over to McGrew’s team.

“This is something that’s near and dear to Mr. Hendrick’s heart, and these two cars have to perform. It’s his responsibil-ity, and it’s my responsibility,” Gustafson said, motioning to McGrew. “If that 88 car doesn’t succeed this year, then the 5 is not going to succeed, either.”

Because the layout at Hendrick’s sprawling motor-sports campus differs from many other organizations, his race teams aren’t all housed in the same shop. Johnson and Gordon are in one building, and the two teams established a system of efficiency and shar-ing from the very first day. Since Johnson’s No. 48 team made

its debut in 2002, Johnson and Gordon have combined to win 71 races and the last four Cup titles. The routine has never been dis-turbed, even during the team-mates’ thrilling 2007 champion-ship race that saw Johnson edge Gordon for the title.

Things were never as smooth, though, after Hendrick merged his other two teams into a second building. The driv-ers changed, the crew chiefs changed and it was difficult to re-create the chemistry of the more successful 24/48 shop. Hendrick wanted the two shops to operate the same way when Earnhardt came to the team in 2008, but crew chief Tony Eury Jr. came with him, as did several of their team members.

Eury and his crew had their own way of doing things, and even though they were willing to adapt to the Hendrick systems, not everything fell into place with Gustafson’s practices.

So when the wheels nearly fell off last season, Hendrick knew he had to demand that the 5/88 shop fall into place once and for all.

Neither team needed convinc-ing.

“I have never in my career, in business or racing, challenged two guys and had them jump like Lance and Alan have done,” Hendrick said. “I want to have one team with two cars, and Alan was in agreement and ready to do it two races before the end of last year. I can not tell you how proud I am of that, and for Lance for not wanting to build his own deal, and instead saying ’I’m not going to do any-thing if Alan doesn’t sign off.’”

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

3B/

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Attention7th AnnuAl SportSmen BAnquetand Gametasting Dinner

(Bar-B-Que Main Course)

liberty Baptist Church

Speaker: Bobby RichardsonFormer New York Yankee & Teammate to Yoggi Berra,

Roger Maris & Mickey Mantle

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Attendance Limited to First 500Door Prizes include Marlin 30-06

Feb. 20th at 6:00 pm

4B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

sports

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — It’s not difficult to pick the odd one out in this group of 28-year-old players: Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt, Nikolay Davydenko.

Federer has won a record 15 Grand Slam titles and is ranked No. 1. Hewitt was No. 1 before Federer hit the scene and has won the U.S. Open and Wimbledon.

They’ll meet in the fourth round of the Australian Open after comfortable wins Saturday. Davydenko is on track to play the winner of that match in a quarterfinal.

The balding, 5-foot-10 Russian has never won a major or played in the final of one. He has never been ranked No. 1, reaching a career high No. 3 in 2006. He travels with his wife but doesn’t have kids — Federer and Hewitt have two each — although he wouldn’t mind one day being a “papa.”

He certainly hasn’t been sneak-ing up on players. He is on a 12-match winning streak that

includes wins over Federer and Rafael Nadal at last year’s sea-son-ending championships in London and the season-opening tournament in Doha. Nor did his pronouncement that the top 10 players were “scared” of him go unnoticed.

“Scared? No,” Federer said this week. “Respect him ... Yes.”

Davydenko, seed sixth, beat Argentina’s Juan Monaco 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday and next faces 2009 semifinalist Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco advanced when Stefan Koubek retired because of a virus after losing the opening set 6-1.

Hewitt had to play only 12 games in 54 minutes to advance. Marcos Baghdatis, a 2006 final-ist, retired with a right shoulder injury with the Australian lead-ing 6-0, 4-2.

Their last meeting at Mel-bourne Park was two years ago and significantly more dramatic. Hewitt finally won at 4:34 a.m.

Novak Djokovic, who is ranked No. 3 and beat Federer in the semifinals en route to the 2008

title, defeated Denis Istomin 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 and next plays Poland’s Lukasz Kubot.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who lost the 2008 final to Djokovic, got the better of an ailing Tommy Haas to advance 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 7-5. Next for him is Nicolas Almagro of Spain, who beat Alejandro Falla 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

The Williams sisters moved a step closer to a semifinal meeting, with defending cham-pion Serena beating No. 32 Carla Suarez Navarro 6-0, 6-3 to avenge Venus’ loss to the Spaniard in the second round in Australia last year.

Serena Williams has won the Australian Open each odd-numbered year since 2003, when she beat Venus in the final. The 11-time Grand Slam singles champion will next face Australia’s Samantha Stosur, seeded 13th.

Venus advanced 6-1, 7-6 (4) over Australian wild-card entry Casey Dellacqua and realizes she may have to beat her sister to play for the title.

LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) — Alex Prugh’s last name rhymes with “Who?”

It’s a good question — and a good young player leading the Bob Hope Classic.

The 25-year-old rookie surged ahead when the sun finally came out Saturday, shooting a 7-under 65 on the tough La Quinta course to take a one-stroke lead over Bubba Watson and fellow PGA Tour rookie Martin Flores.

With his third straight remarkably consistent round in the five-round, four-course tourna-ment, Prugh pulled ahead at 21-under 195. Yet if Prugh had any strong feelings after his second straight bogey-free round, the former University of Washington star wasn’t letting on.

“I was almost bored with myself,” Prugh said. Prugh thinks the pro-am format keeps him away

from any mental dangers that might otherwise arise from leading a PGA Tour tournament after three rounds. Perhaps helping amateurs with their game prevents him from overthinking his own.

Whatever the magic formula, Prugh is the first rookie to lead a round at the famed event since John Senden took the second-round lead in the 2002 tournament eventually won by Phil Mickelson.

Joe Ogilvie (68) was four strokes back at 17 under, Chad Collins (69), Tim Clark (67) and Bill Haas (66) were 16 under, and Mike Weir (67) was 15 under.

Davydenko finds stride at Open Sun comes out, Prugh surges at Hope Classic

4B class/

4B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, SUNDAY, January 24, 2010

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYFIRST CLASS LINEMANTOWN OF FOREST CITY

The Town of Forest City is accepting applications for a first class lineman. Salary range is from $31,670.00 to $45,640.00. Applicants must have current CDL’s. Applications will be received at Town Hall, 128 N. Powell Street, Forest City, beginning Wednesday, January 13th. Applications will close at 5:00 pm, Wednesday, January 27th. For further information contact electric superintendent, Barry Spurlin, at 248-5249.

Successful applicant must pass drug test prior to employment.

The Town of Forest City is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to

race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation

or any other legally protected status.

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Valid 1/25/10 - 1/29/10

Checked OutFor many people, buying a home is

their largest investment. As a realestate agent, I like to make sure theyfind the one they love.

Last week I took a recently marriedcouple out to look at homes. Thehusband was cautious as he was usinghis savings to buy their first house.

As we entered the living room ofone house the woman gleamed, "Ilove this room!" We went throughthe kitchen and she exclaimed, "It'sperfect." As we headed out the doorshe turned to me and said, "Thishouse is great!"

When the gentleman walked by Isaid, "I guess your wife really likes it."

"Of course she does," he trembled."She's not writing the check."

(Thanks to Samantha J.)

Reader Humor

Laughs For Sale

Duane “Cash” Holze & Todd “Carry” Holze

www.ClassifiedGuys.com

FSBO SavingsHow much can you save by selling a

house on your own? A real estate bro-ker's commission averages 6% of thesale price. For a $200,000 home, that's$12,000. Most people expect to savethat money by selling on their own, yetthe national average of savings is only2%, or only $4,000 for that same house.The difference is attributed to a seller'sinexperience, misjudged advertisingcosts or poor negotiations. Buyers alsoexpect to share in the savings when pur-chasing without a real estate agent. Ifyou're going to sell on your own, be sureto brush up on your real estate skills.

Emotional SaleWhen you sell your own home, it is

important to emotionally detach your-self from your home. Emotionallycharged sellers have a tendency to over-whelm buyers or complicate theprocess. Although your house mayhold many memories, it's important tohandle the sale just like an agent. Beprepared to handle the negotiations,complications and rejections. In theend, it will help you get the price youwant without all the aggravation.

Fast FactsDear Classified Guys,Before I called a real estate agent tosell my home, I thought I'd try it onmy own. I placed a newspaper adadvertising my home for sale.Although I listed it as "principlesonly", I'm still getting a lot of callsfrom real estate agents whowant to list my house. Infact, last week one knockedon my door at 8:00am toask if I wanted to discuss sellingthrough his agency. I was stillin my pajamas! How can I go aboutselling my home on my own withoutbeing bothered by these agents?

• • •Carry: You'd think a real estate agent

would know better than to knock onyour door at 8am. Especially withoutbringing you coffee and donuts!

Cash: Unfortunately when you sellyour own home, there are alwaysagents who will solicit to get yourhouse listed with them. Although, it'srather uncommon for one to knock onyour door so early in the morning. Thiscertainly puts them on your bad side.

Carry: You were smart to list "noprinciples" in your advertisement. Thatcan be a deterrent to some agents. Youcan also list "by appointment only" onthe sign out front of your home. That

can discourage agents and potentialbuyers from knocking on the doorbefore your morning cup of coffee.

Cash: However, real estate is a high-ly competitive market, especially nowa-days. So there may always be someagents who ignore your ad or sign.

Carry: Agents know that many peo-ple who try selling their own houseoften give up after a short while. Theprocess can be a lot of work. The agentis simply working to be the first one inline for the listing.

Cash: It may be beneficial to look atan agent who calls as an opportunity tosell your home. If you're not interested

in listing your home with them, youcould let them know that you willentertain offers from their clients.

Carry: Many real estate agents haveadopted what's called a buyer's agree-ment with their clients. This agreementtypically states that should the agent orthe buyer find a home that results in asale, the agent is due a closing fee;either from the sale or directly from thebuyer. In your case that means anyagent fee could be paid by the buyer.

Cash: However, if you want to dis-courage people from knocking on yourdoor, consider hanging a big "Bewareof Dog" sign.

Ask the Guys

Every woman's dream house...

©2010 The Classified Guys®

01/24/10

• • •Got a question, funny story, or just want to giveus your opinion? We want to hear all about it! Email us at comments@classifiedguys.com.

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, SUNDAY, January 24, 2010 — 5B

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Courier

NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE09-SP-484

UNDER AND BY VIRTUE OF the power and authority contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Patricia Sexton, A Single Person, dated the 19th day of November, 2004, and recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Rutherford County, North Carolina, in Book 815 at Page 880 and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness thereby secured and failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale in the County Courthouse of Rutherford County, in the city of Rutherfordton, North Carolina, at 10:00 am on the 2nd day of February, 2010, all that certain parcel of land, more particularly described as follows:

IMPROVEMENTS: House and lot/Condominium/or Lot

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lying and being in Rutherfordton Township, Rutherford County, North Carolina, and being the same property as described in deed dated August 1, 1957, and recorded in Deed Book 237 at Page 74, Rutherford County Registry, and described hereinafter according to said deed as follows:

BEGINNING on an iron pin in the center of the road leading from Highway No. 221 to Highway No. 74, the iron pin being the southeast corner of the original tract, also Lila Lewis, Theodore Hyder and Hazel Ledbetter's corner, and runs thence with the old line North 57 West 325 feet to an iron pin; thence with another old line North 57, West 75 feet to an iron pin in the old line; thence a new line North 22, East 108 feet to an iron pin; thence another new line South 57 East 400 feet to a point in the road above referred to, and in Hyder's line and in the old line; thence with the old road and the old line South 22, West 109 feet to the BEGINNING, containing one (1) acre, more or less.

The said parties of the first part to hereby further convey to the said parties of the second part, their heirs and assigns forever, a perpetual right, easement and right of way to install and maintain an underground water pipe-line for the conveyance of water to the above described lands from the main water line of the Duke Power Company, together with the right to do all things necessary and proper to keep said pipe-line in good repair. There is hereby expressly conveyed all water right relating to said pipe-line which were conveyed by Claude B. Frady and wife to M. Luther Edwards and wife by deed dated October 14, 1948, and of record in Deed Book 205 at Page 25, Rutherford County Registry.

Being the same and identical property, and water rights, conveyed to Holland R. Watson and wife, Dolon T. Watson by deed from M. Luther Edwards and wife, Ina E. Edwards, dated January 13, 1951, and recorded February 6, 1951, in Deed Book 213 at Page 186, Rutherford County Registry.

Being the same and identical property and water rights as conveyed by Ernestine E. Thompson, widow, to Benny Michael-Morrow by deed dated November 17, 2003 and of record in Deed Book 834, Page 353, Rutherford County Registry.

ADDITIONAL POSSIBLE STREET ADDRESS FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY: 121 Thompson Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139

Notice & Disclaimer: The listed street address may be incorrect and is stated hereby for informational and reference purposes only. The Substitute Trustee makes no certifications or warranties that said street address is accurate or correct. It is each potential bidder's duty to determine with his/her own title examination that said street address is correct and matches the above legal description. The above legal description describes the property being sold and shall be controlling.

PRESENT RECORD OWNERS as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds not more than 10 days prior to posting the notice are Patricia Sexton and Spouse, if any.

Trustee may, in the Trustee's sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23.

In the event that this sale is one of residential real property with less than 15 rental units, an order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to NCGS §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the County in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. That upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that person must pay the tax of forty-five (45) cents per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308 (a)(1). This sale is also subject to any applicable county and/or state land transfer and/or revenue tax, and the successful third party bidder shall be required to make payment for such tax. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance "AS IS, WHERE IS". Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the Deed of Trust/Security Instrument, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee of the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, encumbrances of record, including prior Deeds of Trust.

The Substitute Trustee reserves the right to require a cash deposit or certified check made payable to the Substitute Trustee (no personal checks) for five percent (5%) of the purchase price or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, at the time of the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as by law required. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all remaining amounts are due immediately. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, EXCEPT AS STATED BELOW IN THE INSTANCE OF BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCYPROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORYREQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALLOR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.

This the 12th day of January, 2010.

The Caudle Law Firm, P.A., Substitute Trustee David R. Caudle President & Attorney at Law State Bar Number 6075 2101 Rexford Road, Suite 165W Charlotte, North Carolina 28211 http://www.caudlelawfirm.com

COMMUNITY HEALTH COORDINATORRutherford Hospital, Inc., has a full time position for a

Community Health Coordinator.

Primary duties include promotion and delivery of health education and screening throughout the community. Responsible for the development and implementation of wellness education programs for Rutherford Hospital staff.

Bachelor’s degree in health education or related field required. Experience in community relations and/or education preferred. American Heart Association BLS Instructor preferred. Proficient with MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Publisher.

Interested candidates should contact:Human Resources Dept.Rutherford Hospital, Inc.

288 S. RidgecrestRutherfordton, NC 28139

828-286-5334 or fax 828-286-5331www.myrutherfordhospital.com

PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE WORKERTown of Rutherfordton

Performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled general maintenance work for various field departments and units of the Town. Tasks include general ground maintenance; collection of trash and garbage, recyclables, and yard waste; maintenance of Town facilities, street maintenance and other related work. Must be able to bend, climb, walk, lift, light to heavy physical activity; and work in all weather conditions. Will be subject to being called in for emergencies. Requires some knowledge of tools and equipment. Must have a valid North Carolina driver’s license. Starting pay rate $10.11/hr. plus health, dental, & life insurance, pension, 401k.

Require a Town application to be submitted to: Public Works Director

129 N. Main Street • Rutherfordton, NC 28139 Position open until filled. EOE

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST/COTA

Rutherford Hospital, Inc. has a position for an Occupational Therapist or a COTA scheduled for 30-40 hours per week for home health, outpatient and acute care. Minimum two years experience.

Interested applicants should send resume:Rutherford Hospital, Inc.

Barbara SimpsonOneSource Rehab2270 US Hwy 74A

Forest City, NC 28043828-247-1588 or fax 828-247-1692www.myrutherfordhospital.com

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified as Administrator of the estate of DOROTHY SUE SWINK RANDALL of Rutherford County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of the said DOROTHY SUE SWINK RANDALL to present them to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of April, 2010 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment.

This is the 10th day of January, 2010.

Linda Carol Jenkins Randall, Administrator1671 Doggett Rd.Forest City, NC 28043

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BABYSITTER NEEDED3 hrs. per day, Mon.-Thurs. 2:15-5:15pm.

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6B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, SUNDAY, January 24, 2010

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NORTH CAROLINA,RUTHERFORD COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE09 SP 567

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by KRISTY D SPARKS, single to WILLIAM R ECHOLS, Trustee(s), which was dated January 4, 2006 and recorded on January 10, 2006 in Book 880 at Page 249, Rutherford County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Brock & Scott, PLLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on February 3, 2010 at 10:00AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Rutherford County, North Carolina, to wit:

SITUATE lying and being in the Town of Rutherfordton, Rutherfordton Township, Rutherford County, North Carolina and lying on the southern side of West Mountain Street and being the same property as that described in Deed Book 564, Page 659 and being described in accordance with a new plat of survey done by Professional Surveying Services dated June 26, 1995 as follows:

BEGINNING at a point in the centerline of West Mountain Street, said beginning point being the common northernmost corner of the tract described herein and the Rae E. Barnes property described in Deed Book 391, Page 280, and running thence from said beginning point along and with the Barnes boundary South 04 degrees 25 minutes 43 seconds West 469.90 feet, passing an existing iron pin at 17.69 feet, to an existing iron pin located in the northern boundary of the David property described in Deed Book 363, Page 20; thence leaving the Barnes boundary and running along and with the Davis boundary North 88 degrees 42 minutes 21 seconds West 103.79 feet to an existing iron pin, said pin being the common northernmost corner of the said Davis property and the Eldon R. Humphries property described in Deed Book 278, Page 457; thence leaving the Davis boundary and running along and with the Humphries boundary North 88 degrees 49 minutes 49 seconds West 55.30 feet to an existing iron pin. Said pin being the common southernmost corner of the tract described herein and the Richard D. Justice property described in Deed Book 353, Page 258 and Deed Book 389, Page 450; thence leaving the Humphries boundary and running along and with the Justice boundary North 06 degrees 39 minutes 34 seconds East 479.90 feet, passing an existing iron pin at 451.40 feet, to a point in the centerline of West Mountain Street; thence leaving the Justice boundary and running along and with the centerline of West Mountain Street South 85 degrees 14 minutes 20 seconds East 140.17 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING and containing 1.63 acres more or less.

Tax Map 85-1-17

See copy of plat attached to Pagler deed (Deed Book 652, Page 635).

t-dehpr-RLM

Also being the same property as that described in Deed Book 732, Page 66, Rutherford County Registry.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as:195 West Mountain Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139

Third party purchasers must pay the excise tax, and the court costs of Forty-Five Cents (45¢) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) pursuant to NCGS 7A-308(a)(1). A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Kristy D. Sparks.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days’ written notice to the landlord. The notice shall also state that upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Substitute TrusteeBrock & Scott, PLLCJeremy B. Wilkins, NCSB No. 323465431 Oleander Drive Suite 200Wilmington, NC 28403PHONE: (910) 392-4988FAX: (910) 392-8587File No.: 09-23448-FC01

NORTH CAROLINA,RUTHERFORD COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE09 SP 556

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by PATRICIA E. BONDS, A SINGLE WOMAN to RICHARD T. HAYES, Trustee(s), which was dated March 3, 2005 and recorded on March 4, 2005 in Book 829 at Page 572, Rutherford County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Brock & Scott, PLLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on February 3, 2010 at 10:00AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Rutherford County, North Carolina, to wit:

Situate, lying and being in the Town of Forest City, Cool Springs Township, Rutherford County, North Carolina, on the North side of the Old Caroleen Road, State Road 1901, and being the same land described in Deed Book 648 at Page 729, and shown on Tax Map 267, Block 1 Parcel 17, in the Office of the Tax Supervisor of Rutherford County, and being Lot Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the J. C. Morrow Subdivision as the same is shown and set forth in the Rutherford County Registry, recorded in Plat Book 6 at Page 97, reference to which is hereby made, and being described herein according to a survey by Professional Surveying Services on July 10, 1995, as follows:

BEGINNING on an iron pin located in the north edge of Old Caroleen Road, said iron pin being the southeast corner of Everette H. Thompson as described in Deed Book 634 at Page 110, Rutherford County Registry, N.C., runs thence with the line of Thompson North 28 degrees 42 minutes 15 seconds East 205.30 feet to an iron pin in the line of Susan Dianne Pue as described in Deed Book 499 at Page 467; runs thence with the line of the Pue South 61 degrees 37 minutes 31 seconds East 99.94 feet to an existing iron pin, the Southeast corner of Pue, in the line of Harold K. Stallcup; runs thence with the line of Stallcup South 28 degrees 42 minutes 16 seconds West 205.30 feet to a new iron pin in the north edge of Old Caroleen Road; runs thence with the north edge of Old Caroleen Road North 61 degrees 37 minutes 33 seconds West 99.94 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING, containing 0.47 acre according to said survey.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as:367 Old Caroleen Road, Forest City, NC 28043

Third party purchasers must pay the excise tax, and the court costs of Forty-Five Cents (45¢) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) pursuant to NCGS 7A-308(a)(1). A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Stealie A. Griffith aka Al Griffith, Devisee of Patricia Elaine Bonds.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days’ written notice to the landlord. The notice shall also state that upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Substitute TrusteeBrock & Scott, PLLCJeremy B. Wilkins, NCSB No. 323465431 Oleander Drive Suite 200Wilmington, NC 28403PHONE: (910) 392-4988FAX: (910) 392-8587File No.: 09-23843-FC01

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, SUNDAY, January 24, 2010 — 7B

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8B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

sports

When the Vikings have the ball:Feeding All-Pro RB Adrian

Peterson (28) the ball always is a good idea, particularly against a New Orleans defense that ranked 21st against the run. Then again, with the way QB Brett Favre (4) played against Dallas last week — and the spotty performances of the Saints against the pass — maybe the 40-year-old from neighboring Mississippi will have his own aerial Mardi Gras.

The Saints struggled without top cover cornerback Jabari Greer (32), but he’s healthy now. Safety Darren Sharper (42), the ball-hawking All-Pro and longtime confidant of Favre’s, tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions and ran back three for scores. His frequent matchups with TE Visanthe Shiancoe (81) will be worth watching.

New Orleans’ active linebackers will be the keys to the Saints’ run defense. If Peterson consistently is breaking off solid gains — or especially long ones — it will draw Sharper, Roman Harper (41) and other DBs closer to the line. Favre would love to see that, because his favorite targets, Sidney Rice (18) and Offensive Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin (12), would get less attention, though Harvin was ques-tionable with migraines on Friday.

When the Saints have the ball:Drew Brees (9) is as accurate a

passer as the league has seen, and he loves the offensive scheme of coach Sean Payton. Brees has a number of options on every passing play, and the running game is solid, if not spectacular.

Uh, make that solid with Pierre Thomas (23) and Mike Bell (21), but spectacular when Reggie Bush (25) plays the way he did against Arizona in the divisional round. Finally recovered from knee woes, Bush was a difference maker last week, and he had a brilliant performance against Minnesota in the past.

New Orleans would like to estab-lish something on the ground to help negate Minnesota’s staunch pass rush, led by All-Pro DE Jared Allen (69); Ray Edwards (91), who had three sacks of Tony Romo; and DT Kevin Williams (93). Even if Brees is pressured, though, the Vikings rarely intercept passes. They had only 11, led by CB Cedric Griffin (23) with four.

Given time, Brees can pick apart any unit by using outstanding receiv-ers Marques Colston (12), Devery Henderson (19), Robert Meachem (17), Lance Moore (160, and TEs David Thomas (85) and Jeremy Shockey (88).

When the Jets have the ball:New York is very consistent in what

it does, even when it trails in a game, as it has in both playoff contests. The Jets run with Thomas Jones (20) and Shonn Greene (23), then run some more. Greene has been a revelation in the postseason after Jones ranked third in the league with 1,402 yards rushing and scored 14 times. The rookie broke two long runs for touch-downs and is averaging 6.0 yards a carry for 263 yards overall. With veteran FB Tony Richardson (49) blocking behind one of the league’s top offensive lines — C Nick Mangold (74) is an All-Pro and the tackles and guards had good years — the Jets ranked first in rushing.

Indianapolis, which was 24th against the run during the season, must clamp down on the Jets as it did last week against the Ravens’ Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. That means LBs Gary Brackett (58) and Clint Session (55) plugging holes. DT Dan Muir (90) excelled against Baltimore.

If rookie QB Mark Sanchez (5) has to win this game, the Jets are in trou-ble. Simply put, the Jets must estab-lish their running game and keep moving on the ground.

When the Colts have the ball:Although the Colts can be effective

with RBs Joseph Addai (29), Mike Hart (32) and rookie Donald Brown (31), they have no issues with hav-ing their QB throw. Who would if that guy is four-time MVP Peyton Manning?

Manning’s work this season might be his most impressive considering he had to train two new wideouts in rookie Austin Collie (17) and the raw Pierre Garcon (85). Both became dynamic under Manning’s guidance, and All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark had his best season with 100 catches.

Throw in Reggie Wayne, who also had 100 receptions, and the backs, and Manning has all the threats he needs.

Wayne will be matched up with All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis (24), who pretty much has shut down every top receiver he’s faced, espe-cially lately.

New York’s top-ranked defense isn’t great at getting sacks, and the Colts yielded only 13 all season, but did give up two last week. Instead, the Jets will try to pressure Manning into throwing before he wants to; disguising coverages rarely works against him anymore.

AFC & NFC Championship Games

Peyton ManningMark Sanchez Brett Favre Drew Brees

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

8B/

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Sunday Brunch

A.second.chance.could.save.a.life

The couple breeds Bloodhounds a couple times a year, but nothing pre-pared them for the tragedy of losing Big Bertha – she was the sweetest of their five adult Bloodhounds, the Goforths said.

“No matter where you were, she would come and sit and give up her paw. Even when she was in labor at the vet’s office, she’d give me her paw,” Cynthia said.

Add to their sorrow of losing Big Bertha, the couple had the awesome responsibility of feeding 12 hungry little mouths every two hours. But feeding the puppies wasn’t the most difficult part for the Gilkey couple. “It was trying to keep them clean.” They learned quickly keeping the puppies clean was nearly impossible.

And then the miraculous happened.The couple had no clue another of

their female Bloodhounds, Annie, was pregnant until after Big Bertha’s puppies were born.

On a 16-degree morning, when the electricity had gone out at their home, Cynthia was about to get ready for work when she heard a puppy screaming. There was no mistaking the sound. She’d heard it numerous times before.

With no electricity, Cynthia went into her bathroom, raised the blinds for more light and spotted a puppy out near the barn. Then she discov-ered “Annie” had given birth and there in the cold was a new puppy and the placenta. Only the umbilical cord was gone.

Cynthia took her in the house, “fired

up the logs” and called the vet. Nearly scared to death for Annie’s life after what had happened two weeks earlier with Big Bertha, they rushed to the vet’s office. After she was adminis-tered the drug oxytocin to progress labor, there were no other puppies. Subsequent X-rays proved the lone puppy was the only one for Annie. It is rare for a Bloodhound to birth only one puppy. It is not uncommon for Bloodhounds to have 12 or more.

Annie’s little puppy was given the name Little Dillie after his father.

The vet advised the couple to take

“Annie” home and put her with the other 12 puppies and see if nature took its course.

Sure enough, Annie began to feed the other dozen as much as possible.

And as nature further took it’s course, Annie began to feed all 13 puppies.

Cynthia and Vaughn were taking care of Big Bertha’s puppies the best they could, carrying them one by one into the house to bath them. “But they were never really clean,” Cynthia said. Today their fur is as soft and beautiful as it is supposed to be.

At their home Monday, Cynthia talked about their sorrow of losing their sweet Big Bertha.

When the time was near for Big Bertha to deliver puppies, Cynthia arrived home from work on New Year’s Eve to find Big Bertha shaking and shivering.

Most of the pregnancy had gone well, just like Big Bertha’s first pregnancy when she delivered 13 puppies.

“She was just bigger than before,” Cynthia said.

After calling the vet, Cynthia was told if Big Bertha’s temperature was above 100, she was in labor. Big Bertha was in labor and the couple assumed she would have the puppies in the “birthing box” prepared for her in the couple’s large indoor garage.

But Bertha was not doing well and Cynthia telephoned the vet once again. The vet asked if Cynthia could

Cynthia and Vaughn Goforth didn’t know their Bloodhound Annie was pregnant at the time their Bloodhound Big Bertha died during childbirth. Annie has been a miracle for Bertha’s 12 puppies, nursing them as her own. Here, Copper settles into a bottle held by Vaughn. The couple is helping Annie with the feedings, supplementing with bottles.

Text and photos by Jean Gordon

Puppy loveA.little.more.than

Couple.helps.mama.Bloodhound.nurse.pups.who.weren’t.hers

Dinner time for 12 three-week old puppies and one two-week old puppy at Vaughn and Cynthia Goforth’s house gets a little noisy as one puppy after another wakes

up for milk, a mixture of Esbillac and water.Thirteen Bloodhound puppies, some huddled

together and still napping, were crawling around in their birthing bed as the mama Bloodhound “Annie” lay down and two puppies immediately began to nurse.

Only one of the 13 puppies were birthed by Annie. The other dozen were born to “Big Bertha,” the Goforths other Bloodhound, who lost her life while giving birth to her 12 puppies on New Year’s Eve.

Cynthia inside the 10-by-10 cage with Mollie, Abby, Sadie, Sophie, Belle, Gus, Little Dillie, Barkley, Jesse, Sam, Copper, Bailey and Sully in their birthing box.

Annie and her very own, two-week-old Little Dillie.

Please see Puppies, Page 8C

I was just 16 when I had my first episode with an automo-bile being in the wrong place while I was in the driver’s seat.

Back then, youth at my church still attended Bible School. I was driving my sis-ters and I home one day at lunch time when my little cousin was pitching a fit because he left his Bible.

Leaving the church grounds by the way of the back drive-way, I was attempting to make a right hand turn, get back onto the highway and return to the church house for my cous-in’s Bible.

I made the right hand turn way too sharp and the back wheel of our “family” vehicle went out into a big ole’ gully. No matter how much I accel-erated, the tire kept turning around and around in the wide open space of the gully.

I freaked out. Cried and cried.

Finally a passer-by offered to pull the car out with his pick-up truck and in no time I drove the car back to the house, less than 1/2 mile away. I parked the car in its regular place and left it there. No damage done to the vehicle.

My heart was hurt.When my parents arrived

home from work that after-noon, I met Daddy at his truck and handed him my keys to the family car. Mama went on inside the house. He knew I was upset about something.

Crying hysterically I told him what had happened with the car going off the road. I remember very vividly telling him I was never driving again as long as I lived. I meant it.

Looking at me eyeball to eye-ball, he said, “Let’s take a ride.” Then added, returning my key, “You drive.”

I couldn’t tell you where we drove, how long we stayed or what we talked about.

I know this. I’ve been driving ever since.

That story is 41 years old. Wow.

But nearly every detail came rushing back to me the other day when I heard a similar sto-ry on the radio.

Another 16-year-old daugh-ter was driving her own car when she had an accident. No one was injured. but there was damage to her car. And like me, there was serious damage to her feelings.

She called her dad. When he arrived on the scene, he was driving his own car. After talking with police, he handed the keys to his own car to the daughter and they left the scene together. He asked her to drive. They left the scene with him in the passenger seat and her at the wheel of his car.

Like me, she received a sec-ond chance at a time when she needed it the most.

And like me, she had a very wise daddy who did the right thing at the right time, and the actions from them was a sure reminder we weren’t losers regardless of how we may have felt at the moment.

Second chances are life sav-ers.

How grateful I am for the second chances offered along my journey.

Jean Gordon is the senior reporter/features editor at the Daily Courier. Contact her via e-mail at jgordon@thedigitalcourier.com

1/FRONT

2C — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

local

Out & About“I Have a Dream...”

Cooking at KidSenses

Jean Gordon/Daily CourierKidSenses children’s museum program director Jessica Moss and Charlotte residents Alexa Kenley, 9, and Ava Kenley, 5, hold a mural children created at the museum Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Children mixed numerous paint colors to represent a nation of all races as they put handprints on the mural.

Hospice of Rutherford County is hosting a Valentine luncheon “Hearts for Hospice” on Friday, Feb. 12, from noon to 1 p.m. at Carolina Event and Conference Center, 374 Hudlow Road. The menu includes Chicken Rossini as the main course. Cost is $10 per person. Proceeds will be used for Hospice home care patients. To obtain tickets, contact Karen Jarson at 245-0095 or stop by the Conference Center.

Representing 4-H’ers on the 4-H County Council are: President, Meriana Matheny; Vice President, Kristen Miller; Secretary-Treasurer, Rachel Bell; Reporter, Bryan Smith; State Council Rep. Todd Elliott and District Council Rep., Lee Carpenter. The council will volunteer at the Grace of God Rescue Mission in February.

On Visit NC’s New Link this week is the story of the United Kingdom’s press release regarding the London stage launch of “Dirty Dancing” and its associations to North Carolina. UK journalist Wendy Gomersall expressed an interest in experienc-ing North Carolina first-hand. For the focus of her article, she wanted to follow in the footsteps of the clas-sic movie and take dance lessons to create her own “Dirty Dancing” moment. The Division’s Public Relations worked with the journalist to send her to North Carolina where she visited Charlotte, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock and Asheville. As a result, she produced a color, double-page spread in the Mail on Sunday for Jan.10. The media value for the

press coverage was $223,200 and it reached a circulation of 2,071,526.

Gomersall’s lengthy story included pictures of “Dirty Dancing” scene locations at the Lake Lure golf course; the vista from Chimney Rock Park and the Lift Scene with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in Lake Lure.

The story mentions all the places where the movie was filmed in the Hickory Nut Gorge and quotes Lake Lure’s Edith Bond. “Sure, it’s nice that Lake Lure was featured. But forget about the blockbuster movie, come on down and see all the other wonderful things the region has to offer.” Gosmersall’s full article can be viewed online http://www.mailon-sunday.co.uk/travel/article-1242069/North-Carolina-The-home-Dirty-Dancing-Johnny-met-Baby.html, where it additionally reached a fur-ther 31,251,273 unique Web site users.

The Morganton Parks and Recreation Department in conjunc-tion with the Morganton Men’s Club will host the Annual Morganton Classic Collectables Show at the Collett Street Recreation Center on Saturday, Feb. 6 and 7.

The show will offer sports and comics collectables as well as toy and hobby vendors. Displays and sales will be available during all show hours.

Admission to the show will be $3 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. Show hours — Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 828-439-1866.

Bloodhound Love

Jean Gordon/Daily CourierCynthia Goforth of Gilkey holds one of her Bloodhound puppies, while sharing conversation with Annie.

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier“How about some lunch?” Children of all ages serve up “make-believe” food at KidSenses children’s museum in Rutherfordton Monday. They enjoyed a day off from school for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

2/

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010 — 3C

local

IPDC will hold bidders conference

FOREST CITY — Isothermal Planning & Development Commission is holding a bidders con-ference on Monday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. in the con-ference room of Isothermal Planing Development Commission, 111 W. Court Street, Rutherfordton.

The purpose of this meeting is to cover bidding procedures and program requirements for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Contractors must have NC Building License and Certified in NC WAP training to bid on Weatherization measures and materials.

All interested persons are invited to attend and can receive more information on how to obtain WAP certifications. This would be a great oppor-tunity to gather valuable information to help in assisting low-income families in Cleveland, McDowell, Polk and Rutherford counties with Weatherization needs.

Contact Becky H. McKelvey for additional infor-mation, 828-287-2281 ext. 1238.

Symphony concert today at ICC

FOREST CITY — The Symphony of Rutherford County, under the direction of Wilbert K. Kimple, will present its 22nd annual winter concert today (at 3 p.m.) at the Foundation Performing Arts Center. Admission is free and open to the public.

The program will include an eclectic mix of both popular and classical music. Some of the selections are Morten Gould’s “American Salute,” Richard Hayman’s “Pops Hoe-Down,” Tschaikovsky”s “Finale—Symphony No. 2 in C,” the overture to Jacques Offenbach’s “La Belle Helene,” Handel’s “Music for the Royal Fireworks,” and Hans Zimmer’s “Music from Gladiator.” As Conductor Kimple says, “we’ll play something for everyone.”

For more information about the Symphony of Rutherford County, contact Nancy Womack at 828-288-0212 or visit www.rcsymphony.org.

Market ready training workshop

SPINDALE — The Rutherford Extension County Extension Center will be conducting the Tier 1 N.C. Market Ready Training Workshop beginning on Thursday, Jan. 28.

The three-week workshop focuses on good agri-cultural practices (GAPs) and what it takes to obtain GAPs certification.

Tier 1 will address GAPs that are directly related to field production and harvest.

Registration fee $10, includes course materials and refreshments. Deadline Jan. 25. The workshop will be held at the Cooperative Extension Office, 193 Callahan-Koon Foad, Spindale. For more information call 287-6011.

Jean Gordon/Daily CourierNicholas McDaniel, 7, of Forest City enjoys the Virtual Reality Ride, Winter Olympic Experience at KidSenses Children’s InterACTIVE Museum, Rutherfordton. Nicholas, son of Harvey and Christine McDaniel, enjoys skiing, bobsled, luge, ice hockey and a ski jump. The Winter Olympic Experience continues through February.

The Faces of Virtual Reality College NewsNeely graduates from NCSU

RALEIGH — Carter Steven Neely of Raleigh, graduated Dec. 19, 2009 from North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

He received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Media and is currently employed by Time-Warner Cable News in Raleigh. Carter is a 2005 graduate of R-S Central High School and the son of Steve and Carol Neely of Rutherfordton.

Wofford College releases dean’s list

SPARTANBURG, SC — Dr. David S. Wood, senior vice president of academic affairs and dean of Wofford College, has announced the Dean’s List students for the Fall 2009 Semester, which includes Andrew Rhys Parrish and Morgan Michelle Parrish, both Rutherfordton.

To be named to the Dean’s List a student must be enrolled for at least 12 semester hours of graded courses and attain a semester grade point average of 3.6 or higher.

Neely

Rutherford Today

FOREST CITY — Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity is holding an information ses-sion for potential homeown-ers on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall in Rutherfordton.

This free meeting will explain how someone qualifies for a Habitat house and what is required to be a homeowner. Homes will be available for occupancy in 2010.

Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent homes with the help of the homeowner’s family. Houses are sold to partner fami-lies at no profit and financed with a 20 or 25 year, no-interest loan. To be eligible for a Habitat house a family must be living in inadequate housing, willing to partner with Habitat, and be able to pay for a Habitat house.

Several criteria are considered

in determining if someone is liv-ing in inadequate housing.

An unsafe house, heat that is not working, inadequate plumb-ing or electricity, not enough bedrooms, unsafe neighborhood, and paying too much of their income for rent are some items examined in potential Habitat homeowner’s current location.

Each family becomes a part-ner with Habitat in building their home. They invest at least 300 hours of sweat equity into their house and other families’ houses. Building experience is not required. They also complete Habitat’s education program on being a successful homeowner.

Habitat homeowners have to be able to pay a $500 down pay-ment and the monthly mortgage. Their income and credit history are examined. Habitat does not give houses away. They sell hous-es at cost. The potential hom-

eowner needs a steady income source and a satisfactory credit history.

Interested applicants are sug-gested to bring their last check stub from their current job and all other income verification.

Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity builds houses in partnership with low-income families and the community to provide safe, decent, and afford-able houses. Volunteer labor, tax-deductible donations of money and materials, and partner fami-lies’ sweat equity makes these houses possible. Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that works with people in need to improve the conditions in which they live.

For more information con-tact Allyson Shroyer, Executive Director, 248-3178.

Habitat information session set at First Baptist

RUTHERFORDTON — The following babies were born at Rutherford Hospital.

Darius Carson and Jennifer Womack, Forest City, a boy, Darius Lee Carson Jr., Jan. 10.

Marc and Tracie Kennedy, Forest City, a boy, Brayden Dixon Kennedy, Jan. 11.

Dwayne Cogdell and Dakota Hamrick, Forest City, a boy, Kynder Wayne Cogdell, Jan. 11.

Tremayne Byers and Aylia Ledbetter, Ellenboro, a girl, Tai-Jhay Elise Byers, Jan. 11.

Andrea Rodriguez Gonzalez, Forest City, a girl, Merly Vannely Jimenez-Rodriguez, Jan. 11.

Michael and Felissa Hunt, Forest City, a girl, Makyla Antoinette Hunt, Jan. 12.

Alicia Robertson, Ellenboro, a girl, Natasha Adrianna Robertson, Jan. 12.

Hollis Williams and India Miller, Tryon, a boy, Hollis Lavon Williams Jr., Jan. 12.

Paula Stafford, Rutherfordton, a boy, Bryson Lane Stafford, Jan. 12.

Brannon and Carmen Freeman, Spindale, a girl, Hadley Marie Freeman, Jan. 13.

Mr. and Mrs. Brett Walker, Forest City, a girl, Madisyn Hayden Walker, Jan. 14.

Mr. and Mrs. Ron Crain, Rutherfordton, a girl, Kinley Nicole Crain, Jan. 15.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Gibson, Rutherfordton, a boy, Jeffrey Aiden Gibson, Jan. 15.

Daniel and Tonya Jackson, Spindale, a boy, Talley Crew Jackson, Jan. 15.

Denika Shaniece Jackson, Forest City, a girl, D’Azia Lavonna Jackson, Jan. 16.

Joshua Rippy and Kristina Towery, Ellenboro, a girl, Aliza Faith Rippy, Jan. 17.

New Arrivals

FOREST CITY — Need a boost? This list offers 12 reasons to feel proud of your home state. Go to VisitNC.com to plan your trip and explore one of these destinations this weekend.

1. Greensboro, N.C. marks the 50th anniversary of the lunch counter sit-in that inspired a national civil rights move-ment. The International Civil Rights Center & Museum will open on Feb. 1 in the 1929 F.W. Woolworth building. The muse-um’s 30,000 square feet of 16 educational exhibits features the spot where four A&T freshmen sat in on Feb. 1, 1960–the histor-ic lunch counter and stools have never been moved from their original footprint. www.sitin-

movement.org; (336) 274-91992. North Carolina Central

University, Durham, opened in 1910 as a private school and in the 1920s became the nation’s first state-supported four-year liberal arts college for blacks. It became a full university in 1969 and joined the UNC sys-tem three years later. Originally known as the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua, the institution’s mission is still to develop stu-dents’ character and academics for higher service to the nation. www.nccu.edu; (919) 530-6100

3.The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is Charlotte’s newly constructed 46,500-square-

foot home for the former Afro-American Cultural Center. For 35 years the organization has celebrated the cultural contribu-tions of Africans and African-Americans and serves as an epi-center for music, dance, theater, visual art, film, arts education programs, literature and com-munity outreach. The new build-ing’s exterior texture is reminis-cent of quilt designs from the Underground Railroad era and woven textile patterns from West Africa. Named for Charlotte’s first African-American mayor, the Center hosts both permanent and temporary exhibits, includ-ing works by Romare Bearden,

What North Carolinians should know about black history

Please See Carolinians Page 4C

3/

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4. Fayetteville has been selected as only city in the Southeast to host the “Art of the Masters: A Survey of African American Images, 1980-2000” exhibit Jan. 22 - March 6. The exhibit features 36 national and international artists whose works showcase different media including pottery, oil, watercolor, mixed media, collage and more. The collection will be available to view through-out Black History Month, a natural tie-in to the region’s rich African-American heritage. Pieces in the show offer a glimpse of daily life, much of which is included in the African-American Heritage Trail in the Fayetteville area. The driving trail includes churches, cemeteries, museums and more. www.theartscouncil.com

5. In the 1700s, New Bern became known as a popular town for both slaves and free blacks in Colonial America. In 1860, free blacks composed 13% of the city’s population and prominently shaped its political, economic and cultural life. Tour the city’s historical homes, churches and businesses that have rich legacies, including sites of local sit-ins spawned in conjunction with the Greensboro Woolworth sit-ins. www.visitnewbern.com; (252) 637-9400

6. On the North Carolina coast, the Roanoke Island Freedmen’s Colony is an historic National Underground Railroad “Network to Freedom” site. The majority of this land’s 3,000 residents had been slaves before forming a colony here between 1862 and 1867. Major General John G. Foster, Commander of the 18th Army Corps, ordered Horace James, a Congregational minister from New England who was serving as a chaplain in the Union army, to establish a colony of former slaves

on the island. Although the Roanoke Island freed-men’s colony was an experiment of national signif-icance, few people are aware of its history. www.roanokefreedmenscolony.com

7. Built in 1861, St. Philips Moravian Church in Winston-Salem is the oldest standing African-American church in the state. It stands adjacent to the newly reconstructed 1823 log church with exhibitions conveying the African-American expe-rience in the Moravian community. Today, the church is part of Old Salem. www.oldsalem.org; 1-888-653-7253

8. The Black Arts Alliance will present the North Carolina Black Film Festival (formerly Cine Noir), March 18-21 in Wilmington. In its ninth year, the four-day juried and invitational festival of inde-pendent motion pictures by African-American filmmakers will showcase features, shorts, anima-tion and documentary films. www.blackartsal-liance.org; (910) 612-7832. The Hayti Heritage Film Festival opens February 18 in Durham. www.hayti.org; (919) 683-1709

9. Executive Chef Walter Royal gained national fame and prominence when he won Iron Chef in 2006 for his unique ostrich dishes. Thirteen years of his influence on the wine list and use of local ingredients at Raleigh’s famous Angus Barn and Wine Cellar continues to be a national and North Carolina source of pride. CBS’s “48 Hours” and Southern Living magazine have featured Chef Royal; the restaurant has won the Ivy Award, Wine Spectator Grand Award, Fine Dining Hall of Fame Award and numerous other honors. You can sign up for “Walter Royal’s Teaching Kitchen” classes at www.angusbarn.com; (919) 781-2444.

10. In the 1870s, at the Pea Island Life-Saving Station at the Outer Banks, a station keeper who bungled a rescue was fired and replaced by Richard Etheridge, an African-American who was one of the best surfmen on the North Carolina coast. Under the racial standards of that time, everyone under Etheridge’s command also had to be black, so the station became the only one to

have an all African-American crew. That crew was posthumously awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal in 1996 for their heroic 1896 rescue of all nine passengers on the three-masted schooner E.S. Newman during a hurricane. Today, their efforts are honored at the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station in Rodanthe, one of the most complete, historic life-saving stations in the United States. www.chicamacomico.net

11. The Chuck Davis African-American Dance Ensemble based in Durham combines dramatic staging, pulsing rhythms, masterful choreography and colorful costumes with consistently enthu-siastic audiences to create an artistic experience impossible to forget. Founded in 1968 in New York City, the company has gradually established itself as one of the premiere African-American dance ensembles in the United States. The company performs both nationally and internationally. The Dance Ensemble considers itself an agent of social change that stresses the best in human values of peace, love and respect. www.africanamerican-danceensemble.org; (919) 560-2729

12. The YMI Cultural Center is the most endur-ing African-American socio-cultural institution in Western North Carolina. It offers permanent and rotating exhibits by African-American artists in 7,500 sq. ft. of museum space as well as cultural arts programs.. www.ymicc.org.

North Carolina is a state of heroes, storytellers, artists and visionaries. From the fledgling colony on Roanoke Island to today’s role as a leader in culture and commerce, North Carolina invites vis-itors to absorb its natural scenic beauty. For more information go to www.VisitNC.com.

Ashley Elizabeth Robertson and Jeremy Gene Sisk exchanged wedding vows Saturday, October 17, 2009 at The Sutherland, Wake Forest.

The Reverend Teresa Ramsey Blanton per-formed the five o’clock ceremony.

Music was provided by Michael Blanton, uncle of the groom.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Earl Robertson Jr. of Rocky Mount.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Sisk of Bostic.

Presented in marriage by her father, the bride wore a formal mer-maid-style gown of gold and ivory lace detailed with a French bustle. She also wore a two-tiered finger tip veil and carried a hand-tied bouquet of peach roses and ivory flowers.

The bride chose her sister, Jamie Leigh Robertson, as maid of honor. She wore a strap-less, tea-length dress of Indigo blue fabric and carried a hand-tied bouquet of coral roses.

Gowned identical-ly, bridesmaids were Jennifer McGinnis of Holly Springs, Elizabeth Falkner of Raleigh, Jennifer White of Cary, and Amy Sisk Wilkie of Bostic, sister of the groom.

The groom chose his father as best man.

Groomsmen were John Sisk of Bostic, brother of the groom, Sheldon Sisk of Charlotte, cousin of the groom, Vance Sisk

of Bostic, uncle of the groom, Eric Robertson of Rocky Mount, broth-er of the bride, and Eric Wilkie of Bostic, broth-er-in-law of the groom.

Alysse Wilkie, niece of the groom, and Zander Smith, cousin of the groom, were flower girl and ringbearer.

Emily and Erin Knox, presided a the guest register.

A reception followed the ceremony.

The tables were skirt-ed with Indigo blue cloths and centered

with candles and floral arrangements in the bride’s colors.

The four-tiered sweet potato cake was frost-ed with buttercream icing and decorated with edible Dogwood flowers. The heart-shaped grapevine top-per, wrapped with ivy, was centered with two white doves.

A southern menu was served including coun-try ham, sweet potato biscuits, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and a fajita sta-

tion, as well as a choco-late station.

The bride holds a bachelor of arts degree from Peace College. She is employed by FMI Corporation as a talent development consul-tant.

The groom holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from N.C. State University, and a masters of business administration from Florida State University. He is employed by io Consulting as a practice manager.

The couple took a wedding trip to the Caribbean island of St. Maarten. They reside in Durham.

Parties/showersAn engagement party

and gift card show-er was given by the Michael Blanton family in Bostic.

The bride’s co-workers hosted a bridal shower in Raleigh, and the bridesmaids hosted a bridal shower in Holly Springs, as well as a bachelorette weekend in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

A bachelor’s golf weekend was given by the groomsmen at Cleghorn Plantation.

Family friends of the bride entertained with a couple’s dinner in Rocky Mount, and the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at Brigs Restaurant in Wake Forest.

The bride was hon-ored with a brides-maids’ brunch in Wake Forest on the day of the wedding.

David and Pam Bolton of Shelby, announce the engagement of their daughter, Chrissy Michelle Bolton, to Richard Wesley Holland, son of Richard and Trudy Holland of Cliffside.

Chrissy is a graduate of Brookshire University with a degree in early childhood and employed by Cleveland County Schools. She is the granddaughter of Betty McFarland and the late James McFarland, and the late Clinton Bolton and Pat Bolton, and step granddaughter of Edith Bolton of Shelby.

Wess is a graduate of Brookshire University with a degree in draft-

ing. He is the grandson of Catherine Padgett of Forest City and the late Bill Padgett, and Louise Holland of Forest City and the late Rev. Bill Holland.

The couple will be married May 15, 2010 at the home of the bride-elect’s parents in Shelby.

Mary Ellen M. Kustin and William Perry Bovender, both of Riverdale, Md., will be married Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the Bovender family farm in Rutherfordton.

The bride-elect is the daughter of Andrew and Kathleen Kustin of Columbia, S.C. Mary Ellen received a B.S. in mathemat-ics from the University of South Carolina and an M.S. in sustain-able development and conservation biology and an M.P.P. in envi-ronmental biology from the University of Maryland in College Park, Md. She works for the National Wildlife Federation in

Washington, D.C.The groom-elect is

the son of Tim and Nell Bovender of Rutherfordton. Will received a B.A. in experimental psychol-ogy from the University of South Carolina and is currently pursuing a PhD in school psychol-ogy at the University of Maryland.

4C — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

localWeddings Engagements

Couple married at The Sutherland in Wake Forest Mary Ellen Kustin, Will Bovender

Bovender, Kustin

Chrissy Bolton and Wess Holland

Holland, Bolton

Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Gene Sisk

CaroliniansContinued from Page 3C

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RUTHERFORDTON — R-S Central MCJROTC has earned a slot at the Marine Corps JROTC National Air Rifle Championships in February at Camp Perry, Ohio. Over 320 teams from across the country competed in the qualifying rounds. The top sixteen teams were issued invitations. For the first time, Central has two teams who have earned berths. This is the team’s fifth time in five years to advance to the national championship level.

The team also posted a strong performance at the recent Newton-Conover Air Rifle Match in Newton. The team’s score of 1064 points was an R-S Central record and the team brought home eight of the thirteen trophies awarded in the match. They finished second to a very good McDowell team, who also had their best day ever. (McDowell will likely go to the Navy JROTC National Championships.) Central’s “C” and “B” teams took third and fourth places in the match, respectively, against a field of twenty-five teams.

In individual competi-tion, among one hundred competitors, Cadet Second Lieutenant Jessica Eberhart took first; Cadet First

Sergeant Logan Hartzog took second; Cadet Lance Corporal Samantha Morris took third and Cadet Lance Corporal Steven Murphy finished sixth. Both Murphy and Morris are first-year shooters. Three shooters posted R-S Central individu-al records during the course of the match. Eberhart and Morris each set two while Murphy set one. The record-breaking team was composed of Eberhart, Hartzog and Cadets Sergeant Martina Carson and Jessica Swink.

According to Major Russ Armentrout, the team coach, “It was the best day of shoot-ing we have ever had. Many shooters posted personal bests; it was the first time we have had seven shoot-ers above 260 points and the first time we have ever had three teams score above 1000 points.”

“It is always disappoint-ing to lose a close one, but I could not be happier with the performance of the team at this match. McDowell is a very good team and it took their best day ever to beat us. We are continuing to improve and are looking forward to the national championships,” Armentrout added.

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010 — 5C

localR-S Central MCJROTC invited to national championships

Contributed photoR-S Central MCJROTC Rifle Team displays trophies won at the Newton-Conover Air Rifle Match. Pictured are (l-r): kneeling — Cadet Sergeant Jessica Swink; Cadet Captain Chris Noffke; Cadet Second Lieutenant Jessica Eberhart; Cadet First Sergeant Logan Hartzog; Cadets Lance Corporal Rusty Woody and Steven Murphy; standing — Cadet Staff Sergeant Alex Murray; Cadet Lance Corporal Emily Weeks; Cadet Staff Sergeant Bransom Benfield; Cadet Corporal Courtney Blair; Cadet Gunnery Sergeant Jacob Yant; Cadet Lance Corporal Samantha Morris; Cadet Staff Sergeant Jon Russell; Cadets Sergeant Martina Carson and Katie Atkins; Cadet Lance Corporal Amber Swink, and Cadet Sergeant Rebecca McFarland.

Fifth Graders Study Colonial Period, Revolutionary War

Contributed photosFifth graders in Brenda Hollifield’s class at Forrest Hunt Elementary School recently entertained parents, friends and others with information about the colonial period and the Revolutionary War. Each student dressed as a character from the Revolutionary War era and told important facts about that person’s life. Pictured (above, left) are (l-r): in front — Gehrig Christopher as Thomas Jefferson; Josh Price as Benjamin Franklin; Dylan Thrift as John Paul Jones; Taylor Greene as Paul Revere; Zach Allen as George Washington; Hadden Wilson as James Otis; and Hunter Walker as Patrick Henry; in back — Brett Carpenter as Ethan Allen; Ian Hawkins as John Hancock; Riley Robinette as John Adams, and Freddy Trejo as Benedict Arnold. Fifth grade girls shown in period dress (above, right) are (l-r): in front — Diana Newton as Betsy Ross; Hope Barron as Judith Sargent; Autumn Ledford as Anna Warner; Miranda Eddins as Nancy Morgan Hart; Jessica Alley as Deborah Samson; Kimari McEntire as Rachel Martin, and Dixie Elmore as Sybil Ludington; in back — Aleah Mech as Molly Pitcher; Victoria Gordon as Abigail Adams, and Stacie Selvey as Mercy Otis Warren. The students shared information about life during that time including the clothes, making butter and bread, diseases, taking baths, and washing and bleaching clothes. Mrs. Metcalf, ESL teacher, made hardtack for the students to eat. Parents helped too by making dresses, demonstrating how to make soap, loaning antiques and photograph-ing the students. Absent from the photograph is Kenzie Gilbert, who profiled Mary Wollstonecraft.

FOREST CITY — Western North Carolina high school students interested in apply-ing for college schol-arships through The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina should act quickly as deadlines are fast approaching. The Foundation will administer approxi-mately 40 scholarship programs in 2010, ranging from one-time $500 awards to renew-able scholarships worth up to $48,000 over four years.

In 2008-2009, the Foundation award-

ed nearly $365,000 in college scholar-ships to 125 students in Western North Carolina. Scholarship recipients are selected on criteria that vary by program, but generally include financial need, academic achievement, community service, extracurricular activi-ties and work experi-ence. School officials, Community Foundation board members and/or community volun-teers review scholarship guidelines and crite-ria for each award and ensure that recipients are selected in an unbi-

ased manner. For the first time

this year, scholarship details, applications and materials are avail-able for download on the Foundation’s Web site. Those wishing to apply for any of the scholarship programs can review the schol-arship opportunities on-line or contact their school’s guidance office for assistance. Students must complete and return materials to their guidance counsel-ors, unless otherwise indicated, by the speci-fied deadlines, most of which fall in early to

mid-January.While many scholar-

ships are open to stu-dents from the whole region, others are spe-cific to students from certain counties. For further information, area high school seniors are urged to visit www.cfwnc.org.

In partnership with area donors, the Foundation has award-ed more than $100 million in scholarships and grants to nonprofit organizations and pub-lic institutions.

For more information, visit www.cfwnc.org or call 828-254-4960.

Scholarships available to students in western N.C. SPINDALE — “Writing a Business Plan” will

be offered by the Small Business Center of Isothermal Community College on Thursday, Feb. 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $5 per per-son.

This seminar will cover the following topics: the two main purposes of a business plan and why you should write it, why the business plan is important in obtaining financing for your business, what a lender really wants to see in your plan, can you have too much in your plan and what do you need to omit, how you actual-ly write your plan, and how you cover what you really need in a short but usable plan.

The next seminar, “Marketing Your Business,” is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23, from 6 to 9 p.m.

For more information about this seminar or upcoming small business classes, or to register, contact Dee Spurlin at 286-3636, ext. 229, or email at dspurlin@isothermal.edu.

Small business seminar

5/

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TRYON — The Tryon Fine Arts Center (TFAC) presents the dramatic play “Runt of

the Litter” starring Bo Eason, former NFL star player on Friday, Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. at TFAC’s

newly renovated the-ater just in time for the Super Bowl. Eason’s one-man show will inspire the audience to make their dreams a reality. “Runt of the Litter” is an unforget-table story that proves with enough determi-nation, nothing can prevail over the human spirit. The show is gen-erously sponsored by The North Carolina Arts Council and Watson Flooring and Appliances. Bo Eason’s powerful, semi-autobio-graphical solo play Runt of the Litter touches sports enthusiasts and theatre lovers alike. Eason, former safety for the Houston Oilers, is a one-man play that looks at what happens to two brothers in a family of over-achiev-ers. This performance contains strong lan-guage. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Contact the Tryon Fine Arts Center 828-859-8322 or visit the Box Office at 34 Melrose Ave, Tryon.

6C — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

local

Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy recently held geography and spelling bees. In order to qualify to take part in the national bee, David Advent (left) will have to take a test. Spelling bee champ Gracie Hollifield (right) will take part in a regional spelling bee at Lincoln Charter School, which is a qualifying event for the state competition.

TJCA Spelling Bee Champs

Allison Flynn/Daily Courier

‘Runt of the Litter’ play coming to Tryon

Former NFL star player Bo Eason will give his one-man play “Runt of the Litter,” on Feb. 5, at the Tryon Fine Arts Center.

By MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTONFor The Associated PressWhen Missy Gillen met her future husband, Mike, she hadn’t given much thought to a rainy day fund or investing money. But as the Westlake, Ohio, couple got serious, she started paying

attention to their finances, something Mike Gillen encouraged.Talking about money before marriage is essential for wedded bliss, according to financial experts, since it can eliminate a lot of sur-prises and arguments. These experts and Denver-based financial counselor Taffy Wagner offered some tips for addressing finances before exchanging wedding vows:1. Sit down with your partner and discuss your finances. This will help both parties develop a picture of their financial responsibili-ties after marriage.2. Examine one another’s credit scores. If one person’s score is below 700, con-sider keeping your finances separate. Work as a couple to help the person with the low credit score improve it by paying off debt and tak-ing care of overdue bills. Do not apply for any joint credit cards.3. Decide which of you will be in charge of managing the money and paying bills. It’s important to develop a system so the bills are paid on time. Make sure the other partner has a basic understanding of the sys-tem.

4. Develop a budget the two of you can live on. Make sure allocations for groceries, clothing, etc., are reasonable. No more than one-third of your gross income should go toward a mortgage and no more than 25 percent on rent.

5. Set limits on spend-ing. Determine how much money you are comfortable spending without consult-ing your spouse. For exam-ple, agree to discuss any purchase over $100, $500 or $1,000.6. Find out how your partner handles unex-pected expenses, and decide whether you agree with the approach. After you’re mar-ried, you may decide that turning to mom and dad or using a credit card to cover emergencies is unaccept-able.7. Agree to create an emer-gency fund. Start by setting aside 10 percent of your paycheck.

8. Develop a policy about lending money. Decide whether you would be will-ing to give a loan to a friend or relative. If you’re com-fortable doing that, discuss whether you would charge interest and how much you could afford to lend. Always put the details of a loan in writing.9. Discuss whether one of you will stay home after the birth of a child. If that is a goal, start planning how you could live on one income.10. Share details about the way your parents ran their household. Did they employ a housekeeper, land-scaper or other help that you would expect in your household? Was charitable giving or religious tithing an important part of your upbringing and what are your attitudes toward it?

A Cub-o-Ree Good Time

Scott Baughman/Daily CourierCub Scouts from around Rutherford County and the region gathered at Isothermal Community College on Monday for their annual Cub-o-Ree to learn about aquatic safety (top photograph), kickball and various other belt loops. The loops are to Cub Scouts as merit badges are to Boy Scouts. Cub Scout leader Cherry Pearson (bot-tom photograph) was a popular teacher at the Cub-o-Ree Monday at Isothermal Community College thanks to her Filipino heritage. As a requirement for their lan-guage and culture belt loop, scouts had to learn about another culture from a native.

Discussing money prior to the wedding

6/

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Newlyweds are filled with hopes, dreams and challenges. To help young couples get off on the right foot, readers share their advice.

COMMUNICATE: You have to be on the same page with financ-es, or it can cause huge problems for the rest of your marriage. Cook at home, pack lunches, stick to a list. Don’t go for all the prepackaged convenience foods, and don’t get suckered into spending a fortune at the grocery store. — K.J., Ohio

TAKE YOUR TIME: You have a lifetime together to get things. You don’t need to buy them all during the first year of marriage. You will be amazed at the things you can do without. Make it a rule not to buy unless you truly need (not want) it and have the money for it. Get some savings built up. Make it a rule to pay yourself first, even if it is only $20 per pay period. If you are open with each other about finances, you can overcome any obstacles life may present to you. Enjoy the journey, not just the destination. — Kim, Canada

PLAN: Never give your spouse any reason to doubt you in any way. Plan your major purchases, and do your research. Buy used, not new, cars; maintain them impeccably; and drive them till the doors fall off. This alone will save you thousands. — Lisa, Texas

SYNERGY: Come to an agreement that if either one of you is going to spend a certain amount of money, you both have to agree upon it prior to the purchase. Have an emergency fund. If an emergency happens, having the funds to pay for it relieves a lot of stress. Practice “You don’t have to live up to the Joneses.” At times this will be difficult, but if you are both on the same page, it actually can be fun. — via forums

SET PRIORITIES: I guess communication is key, because you need to set priorities. You need to determine what you value most in life. Creativity can be a good way to save money doing things. Learn to think creatively. — Jean, Canada

MAKE POSITIVE CHOICES: Save, save, save for what you want. Don’t give in to “buy now and pay later.” If you do, you will pay forever! It gets down to choices about what you want to have, what you want to own, where you want to go, and how you want to spend your time. — Barb, Pennsylvania

DON’T CHARGE: Avoid credit-card debt. This is a huge trap for newlyweds. It is so easy to start charging a little here and there, especially when you’re just starting out. Save for pur-chases, and set a time frame — maybe 30 days — before making purchases. There are probably a lot of things you want to buy now to get settled, but if you wait, you may find you don’t need a certain item so much. — via forums

HAVE MAD MONEY: You need to be able to share your thoughts and ideas so you can develop a financial plan that works for both of you. It’s important to have a little “mad mon-ey” that each of you can spend on something you want without feeling guilty about breaking the budget. — Mary, Wyoming

Sunday Break

Churchgoers disrupt sanctuary’s air of reverenceDear Abby: Last Sunday,

I attended a church service, and the woman and her adult daughter seated behind me would not shut their mouths. All I could hear was the two of them catching up on the week’s gossip. The 5-year-old granddaughter also talked the whole time.

I scooted as far over in the pew as possible to avoid hearing the conversation.

I go to church for peace, quiet and reflection, and it’s frustrating to hear constant chatter. I’m glad they come to church, but I wish their idea of “fellowship” extended beyond visiting with each other.

Would it be rude to turn

around and ask these people to be quiet? — Praying Dear Praying: No. How else will they know they’re creat-ing a distraction? This hap-pens in other venues besides church, and by that I’m referring to movie theaters and theaters where actors are performing. It’s not only rude and thoughtless, but can be infuriating.

Dear Abby: I am dating a guy, “Ryan,” I like very much. He invites me to his family’s house for dinner often, and

this is where the problem lies.

I eat everything his mom cooks for us and I thank her for it, but she constantly tries to get me to eat more. It has reached the point where she flat-out tells me, “You need to eat more of my food. You didn’t have a large enough serving.” Even though I am already full, I wind up stuff-ing myself because I feel guilty, and then I’m uncom-fortable.

How should I handle her constant badgering? — Stuffed

Dear Stuffed: Ryan’s mother may be well-mean-ing, but a polite hostess does not pressure a guest in her

home the way she does. Have a private chat with Ryan. Tell him plainly how uncomfort-able his mother’s badgering makes you feel. If he can’t put a stop to it, the next time his mother gives you a hard time, try this: Tell her you are stuffed and ask if you can please take home a doggie bag because her cooking is so delicious.

Dear Abby: I was poking around your Web site recent-ly, and while looking through the archives I read your col-umns featuring names for people in various professions like the urologist named Dr. Leake and the dentist named Dr. Payne.

I have a suggestion for a

fun sequel: How about a list of appropriate car models for different professions — real or made up? I’ll offer a few: The president of American Express driving a Dodge Charger, or an airline pilot driving a Honda Pilot, and — of course — the proctolo-gist who travels everywhere in his Ford Probe.

I’ll bet your readers can come up with a bunch. — James H.

Dear James H.: Allow me to suggest a few: The tailor driving a Dodge Dart, the estate planner behind the wheel of his Subaru Legacy and, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in their match-ing Volkswagen Beatles.

Abigail van Buren

Dear Abby

Dear Dr. Gott: I have developed an itchy rash for the third time in a year. At the end of March, my arms broke out with this terrible itch between the elbows and wrists. Within 24 hours, my arms swelled and developed blisters that oozed yellow pus that had an odor. Because the itch-ing was terrible, I saw my doctor, who prescribed prednisone and cephalexin. My arms healed.

Then at the end of April, my legs developed the same rash, blisters and itch. Again, I was given the same prescriptions, and my legs healed somewhat. The itching, oozing and swelling disappeared but in several places, I was left with patches of what I call “alligator skin.” These patches are dry and bumpy but don’t itch or otherwise bother me. They are on the inner sides of my knees, ankles and thighs, and I have a small patch on the lower portion of my stom-ach.

A few years back, I remember having the same thing happen to my legs. At that time, my doctor sent me to a dermatologist who quickly told me it was a vascular condition and referred me to a vascular MD and a surgeon. I have bad knees, am overweight, and can’t get around well so I don’t get out into my

yard much unless I’m with my two dogs.

I now have the rash, etc., on my legs again. It started around my ankles this time and is driving me crazy. I am back on the same medi-cine as before, and now my doctor wants me to see a dermatologist. Given my past experience, I’m hesi-tant and feel I should be seeing some other kind of physician.

Do you have any recom-mendations or advice? By the way, I am a 69-year-old female, and the only other medications I take are Synthroid for a thyroid condition and occasionally Benadryl for the itch of the rash.

Dear Reader: Based on your description, I agree with your conclusion that it is likely poison ivy or other plant dermatitis. The fact that it primarily occurs on your legs and arms leads me to believe that you are likely coming in contact with the offending plants’ oils when the dogs rub against your legs or you are picking up or holding them.

I urge you to consult with a second dermatologist about the rash.

dogs may be culprit in owner’s rash

THANKS, TROOP 221!

Girl Scout Troop 221 came to visit the Community Pet Center and Rutherford County Animal Control recently. Girls

Scouts work on wonderful community-focused projects and this Troop choose to help the animals in Rutherford County. Eighteen girls and four of their leaders brought pet food, leashes, collars, bowls and toys to our office. Many of our abandoned and homeless pets will benefit from all of the goodies that these girls brought last week.

Thank you, Girl Scout Troop 221, for thinking of the kittens, cats, puppies and dogs.

This act of kindness was wonderful and we so appreciate each of you and your thought-fulness.

Big thanks to Girl Scout Troop 221

PUZZLEYour Birthday, Jan. 23;

In the year ahead, there are indica-tions that you could become involved in an endeavor that would yield a second source of income.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Unless you are extremely careful, you could unwittingly reveal something that was not supposed to be repeated.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Doing favors for others just to get them to do something different is a big mistake.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Be careful about handling matters that could affect your personal well-being.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Usually, your thinking and energies are well synchronized, but they might be out of harmony at this time. Don’t let either impulsiveness or fear undermine your interests and goals.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — If someone does something nice for you, there is a chance you might take it for granted and not react to his or her kind-ness. Be sure to acknowledge.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — It would be a big mistake to let someone with a history of poor judgment make a decision for you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Important information to be passed onto oth-ers could be placed in your hands, which normally would be a wise choice. However, if your mind is preoccupied, you might not relay the information in a timely fashion.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Your chances for acquiring an additional source of income look good, but it isn’t likely to come through a speculative, big-risk gamble. Only operating along traditional lines of work will make this happen.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Do not take anything for granted, especially when doing business with your regular sources.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — You’ve heard these words of wisdom: “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say any-thing at all.” If you forget this adage, you could say something you’ll regret.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Financial conditions could be a mixed bag. You might earn plenty of money, but chances are you’re likely to lose every-thing if you’re not careful.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Unless you can clearly define your goals and why you need to take a certain direc-tion, others are not likely to support your position.

IN THE STARS Frugal advice for newlyweds

The Pet Project

Produced byJo-Ann Close and Lynne Faltraco

Community Pet Center

Dr. Peter M. Gott

Ask Dr. Gott

by Sara Noel

FrugalLiving

7sunday break

8C — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, January 24, 2010

LOCAL

help deliver the puppies, and said she would call in three extra techni-cians to assist with the deliveries at the vet’s office.

The first nine puppies were born without any problems, but the final three were very sluggish, Cynthia said.

“Then her heart stopped,” Cynthia said of the couple’s Big Bertha. Even with CPR and other life saving measures, “they couldn’t get her back,” Cynthia said.

Heart broken for the dog they had loved for two years, and was the sweetest of all their dogs, the couple went back home to care for the pup-pies.

For the next nine days, every two hours, the cou-ple was feeding a dozen crying little puppies with a bottle. The others just cried until it was their turn, but there was noth-ing else they could do.

But the chore of clean-ing them was worse than getting up every two hours. “They were pee-ing and pooping on each other and everything,” she said.

“We worked through it though, for nine long days. It was tough, but worth it,” Cynthia said.

And then the “miracu-lous” happened, Cynthia said as she described Annie’s surprise delivery.

Annie started feeding and taking care of all the puppies.

“She’s such a good girl,” Cynthia said rubbing Annie’s head. “She has been a good girl. Our miracle dog. Our puppy cleaner,” she said.

“She has saved us,” Cynthia said of Annie.

Annie is feeding the puppies as much as she

possibly can, and the Goforths are feeding in between. They bottle feed at 6 a.m., 11 a.m. or noon; and again at 5 p.m.

Vaughn, retired, takes care of the day-time feeding alone, but when Cynthia arrives home from her job in Quality Resource Management at Rutherford Hospital, she helps with evening feed-ings.

The Goforths have always enjoyed large dogs and before making a decision a few years ago to get Bloodhounds, they had Golden Retrievers and had discussed Bassett Hounds.

After viewing an Internet site from Missouri, they discovered a particular Bloodhound puppy they couldn’t resist. They named him, Winston, and it was love

at first site. He was soon joined by a female, Bella.

Later they decided to try breeding the dogs.

The couple strives to raise healthy, happy Bloodhounds — with lots of wrinkles, long ears and big bones —Champion Bloodlines. Their dogs are American Kennel Club (AKC) and America’s Pet Registry Inc. (APRI) registered, and they do not sell to pet stores or pet brokers.

“We sell to loving homes who adore pets and are willing to give lots of tender loving care,” the couple says.

“They are precious dogs, lovable and are wonderful with children because they are so doc-ile,” she continued.

After the tragedy of losing Big Bertha, the

Goforths are not sure if they will breed again. Time will be the factor.

Today with five adult Bloodhounds and 13 lit-tle puppies, the Goforths are busy and content.

All the puppies were given names according to their appearance and personalities, such as the liver and tan two-week old, Little Dillie and the striking Copper and sweet little Bailey. There is also Mollie, Abby, Sadie, Sophie, Belle, Gus, Barkley, Jesse, Sam and Sully.

Vaughn can’t tell them apart, but Cynthia can.

“Well, there are four that really look a lot alike, but I can tell them apart,” she said. “I guess it’s because I’m out there with them so much,” she said.

The puppies had their three-week-old check-up Wednesday, and all the puppies are doing great, Cynthia said. They weighed between 2 and 5 pounds. “That’s as big as a baby,” Cynthia said.

“Bloodhounds are big dogs,” she said. “If they stayed little like this,

I’d keep them all. They are precious,” Cynthia admitted.

For more information on the couple’s Bloodhounds or to own one, call 287-5729 or e-mail ccgoforth@bellsouth.net. More information is also available online at www.carolinabloodhounds.com.

PuppiesContinued from Page 1C

Cynthia feeds Bailey (left0 while Vaughn Goforth feeds Copper. Below, Annie carefully watches over some of the brood.

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