Rutherford Weekly

While the COVID-19 virus seeks to separate and isolate, Rutherford County native Carlos Watkins of the NFL's Houston Texans is staying connected by taking Small Town friendly values like giving to others deep in the heart of Texas. On Thursday April 16, Watkins bought breakfast for essential workers at the Houston-based Jetco Trucking Company before they left to deliver essential items to grocery stores and other facilities. "The truck drivers are the ones making it happen for us," Watkins said. "They are risking their lives by making ours easier so I wanted to show appreciation." The breakfast came from popular Texas fast food chain What-a-Burger "Those guys get up early to be able to do their jobs," Watkins said. "I fi gured they would enjoy a hot breakfast more than anything else. It was actually my girlfriend's idea, but I was looking for a way to give back to the community and hopefully, in some small way, I was able to make their day better. It was just a way to say thank you." Watkins is a 2012 graduate of Chase High School and played collegiately for Clemson Tigers where he was part of the 2017 National Championship team. Watkins was then drafted by Texans' owner and Forest City native Robert McNair in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. In his three year career so far, Watkins has garnered 47 tackles. Watkins is hopeful that he and his Texans teammates will be able to play as scheduled in 2020. "Not being able to play or practice with the guys is killing me," Watkins said. I'm so ready for things to get back to normal so we can get ready for the season." The biggest challenge for Watkins is keeping to a routine "That's where being a pro comes in," he said. "I have managed to eat mostly healthy and continue with workouts and training. It's tough to do by yourself. It takes discipline." Watkins hopes that discipline pays off in a successful season for him personally for him and the Texans as 2020 marks the fi nal season of his initial four year contract with Houston. "Every season is important, but especially this year," Watkins said. "I personally want to have a big year because it is the last year of my contract. I need to be the best I can be." Watkins and the Texans are scheduled to kick off the preseason in mid-August. A ll e n ' s A ll e n ' s Used Cars Beside Spake's Drive-In Beside Spake's Drive-In 454 US Hwy. 221A S. • Forest City 454 US Hwy. 221A S. • Forest City *Plus tax, *Plus tax, tag & tag & title fees title fees ©Community First Media Community First Media 828-245-8536 828-245-8536 COME SEE US! $ 8,995 8,995 2014 CHEVROLET 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE CRUZE $ 10,500 10,500 2011 HYUNDAI 2011 HYUNDAI GENESIS GENESIS $ 5,995 5,995 2004 SUBARU FORESTER FORESTER $ 5,995 ,995 2012 VOLKSWAGEN 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE BEETLE WE'RE OPEN FOR YOUR BUSINESS! N.C. TRACTOR & FARM SUPPLY 299 Railroad Ave., Rutherfordton • 828-288-0395 Mobile: 828-429-5008 • mf1dpshehan@gmail.com SALES • SERVICE • PARTS IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! PROUDLY SERVING RUTHERFORD, CLEVELAND, GASTON, LINCOLN, POLK COUNTIES AS THE AREAS HOMETOWN MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER. Great Selection Great Selection ISSUE NO. 17 APRIL 30, 2020 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 Carlos Watkins (91) leading teammates onto the fi eld in teammates onto the fi eld in Houston, Texas. Houston, Texas. RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S # 1 CHOICE IN ADVERTISING 1 CHOICE IN ADVERTISING NFL's Carlos Watkins feeding Houston truckers OUR 28 TH YEAR Article & photos by Jean Gordon. Article & photos by Jean Gordon. BUY LOCAL ! Story written by Jacob Conley; Story written by Jacob Conley; Submitted by Jean Gordon. Submitted by Jean Gordon. C ( ) C ( ) Chase High School graduate Carlos Watkins warming up on the fi eld. Chase High School graduate Carlos Watkins warming up on the fi eld. Face masks contract is two fold at Oh Suzannah At Oh Suzannah in Spindale a handful of seamstresses are making between 1,000 to 1,500 face masks per day in these times of COVID-19 when wearing a mask is required in many areas to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The seamstress and quality inspectors are working six days a week to provide the much needed masks for people across the United States. They are distributed to contractors across the country. "We are part of a group that is working with and through FEMA in concert to provide these pieces," said Jeff Crawford, manager of the family business begun by his parents Don and Judy Crawford 26 years ago. It began as a manufacturing company for ladies apparel contracting with companies across the country. Just three days into the new sewing project, Crawford said during an interview last week the company has exceeded his expectation by about 25 percent. The seamstresses are working six days a week - half days on Saturday - in order to ship out as many masks on a daily basis as possible. A weekly personal goal of Crawford's is to make 10,000 face masks per week and get them into the hands of the distributors. The present order is through June and after that Crawford said there could be other orders for nationwide distribution. He also said they could possibly begin manufacturing custom-made masks for school staff and students using the schools' colors and mascots. Prior to the order for masks the sewing plant was only partially running with employees averaging about 25 hours per week. "I knew we'd always stay in business, but could not guarantee... and this just sort of fell in my lap," he said. The new contract is two fold. Crawford is grateful the family business can provide additional hours for his employees and he has added a couple of new hires/ re-hires and can make an essential product that is in high demand. Crawford said the process of making these masks is three steps. One seamstress takes a rectangular 3 ply fabric to build in facial conformity. Another seamstress then binds those pieces to hold that shape and third step is to fully bind all exposed edges. In this step, the ear loops are sewn. "All of these steps have critical measurements to be adhered," he said. "After the last insetting steps, the fi nal task is done which secures everything against ever pulling loose. Before packaging and sending out, the masks go through a detailed quality control step," he said. Being able to make masks and knowing they will be used to help stop the spread of the virus and to save lives has double benefi ts. His employees are getting more hours and people are getting the masks they need. He said his dad, whose purpose in opening the business was to provide jobs for people in Rutherford County would have been "in with both feet" on making masks to help others. Seamstress Debbie Jones, who works on one of the fi nal sewing steps, said last week, "it's a wonderful feeling." Crawford said not meaning to sound mercenary, "We have to strike while the iron is hot." The majority of the time seamstresses are practicing social distancing being six feet apart in three separate rooms at the plant that is located off Callahan-Koon Road in Spindale. Women are not required to wear masks, but certainly have that opportunity. A Moon Lighting project: Last week the seamstress were allowed to do a little 'moon-lighting' project for the Sandy Run Baptist Association Woman's Missionary Union (WMU) suggested by the state and local WMU leaders. The employees at Oh Suzannah made 200 masks at the plant that were purchased by the WMU from Shiloh Baptist Church for distribution to church and community members who needed a mask. Some of the masks were donated to the Rutherford County EMS, said WMU member Lillian Phillips from Shiloh church and also church members and any in the community needing a mask. Other individual WMU members across the association have also been making masks daily. Debbie Bailey counts the day's Debbie Bailey counts the day's production of face masks. production of face masks. Seamstress Lena Wilkerson at her sewing machine at Oh Suzannah. S t L Wilk t h i hi t Oh S h S t L Wilk t h i hi t Oh S h Debbie Toms completes one of the Debbie Toms completes one of the Ôinal steps. Ôinal steps. Increasing employee hours; saving lives across country

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