Rutherford Weekly

Page 2 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, January 20-January 26, 2022 Sharing the burden for the benefi t of low income Rutherford County residents in need of a helping hand. Yokefellow Service Center is a non-profi t 501(c)3 non-profi t agency and a member of United Way. 132 Blanton Street, Spindale 828-287-0776 Because we: Because we: S ee the need ee the need H ave heart ave heart A im higher im higher R espect your value espect your value E mbrace your future mbrace your future Reasons to -DONATE -SHOP -VOLUNTEER at Yokefellow • Seeking Electronic and Mechanical Assemblers. • $14.00-$16.00 per hour, depending on shift. • 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Shifts Available, Including a 12-hr Weekend Shift. • Climate Controlled Facility, Friendly Atmosphere, Weekly Pay • Benefits Available. • Unlimited $100 Referral Bonus 110 E Court St, Marion, NC 28752 Telephone: 828-475-1453 Open Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Equal Opportunity Employer Apply in-person or online at: https://lirma.acrobluestaffing.com/apply NOW HIRING! IMMEDIATE START! Forest City 828-247-1871 2410 US 221S; Hwy 74 bypass to exit 178 (Hwy 221), south 1 mi on right. Corner of Hwy 221 & Shiloh Rd. M-F 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-12pm MAYSE MFG. CO., INC. www.maysemfg.com www.maysemfg.com Storage Buildings, Gazebos, Carports, Garden Flags, Man Cave Decor, Concrete Statuary, Concrete Steps, & Poly Outdoor Furniture! ©Community First Media Community First Media 18' x 21' Carport 18' x 21' Carport We are a We are a Big Green Egg Distributor Big Green Egg Distributor. . Grills • Accessories • Supplies Grills • Accessories • Supplies Poly outdoor Poly outdoor furniture furniture Available in 14 colors Available in 14 colors Now offering carports/garages Now offering carports/garages up to 60 ft. wide & 20 ft. walls up to 60 ft. wide & 20 ft. walls Factory direct prices! Factory direct prices! Finance & Rent To Own @mayse_mfg Note to readers: Photo contributor Pat Nanney who is recovering from two ankle breaks in December wrote the following tribute to Bo Whitesides, who passed away recently. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Music City Records. Nanney continues to recover. In his 1972 recording "American Pie" Don McLean writes the phrase "the day the music died" to refer to the 1959 plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper. That same phrase "the day the music died" could be applied locally to the day last week that Bo Whitesides died (Jan. 5). Bo was the well-known entrepreneur of Music City Records which operated from locations in the Tri-City Mall and in the former Belk building on Main Street in Downtown Forest City. The word records in the name of the business gives an indication of how long Bo had operated the business. At one time Bo advertised the store with bumper stickers that read "Bo Knows Music." Customers attest to the truth of that statement. Becky Bradley commented that if her daughter did not know the title of a song Bo would have her sing it and he would know what she wanted. Tommy Wilkins similarly remembers Bo asking about words from a song when Tommy didn't know the title or artist. He says Bo would "snap back" with an answer. Diana Taylor summed it up by saying "he knew everything about all kinds of music. Customers knew that if he didn't have the music they wanted Bo would order it for them whether record, cassette tape, eight-track tape or later compact disc. It wasn't just recorded music at Music City Records. Lance Hutchins and Tana Rucker also knew the business as the head shop where they could purchase black lights, posters, string beads, incense and concert tickets. Bo also helped the band The Hutchins Brothers by selling their records in his store. Lance added "and he was always interested in our progress." Bo shared his love for black gospel music by sponsoring and hosting Sunday morning radio programs on local stations. Todd Baldwin says "I always enjoyed seeing and talking with Bo" when he had a weekly program on WAGY. He also built a recording studio on the second fl oor of the downtown location to offer local artists the opportunity to record their music at a reasonable cost. Bo Whitesides is described by those who patronized Music City Records as a friend, a Godly man, an awesome person and a Rutherford County legend. A memorial service for Whitesides will be held at a later time. A tribute to the founder of Music City Records- Bo Whitesides Article Written by Pat Nanney; submitted by Jean Gordon The Music City records building in downtown Forest City. Ad deadlines: Tuesdays at 3pm 828.248.1408 Mike@rutherfordweekly.com Serving Rutherford County and Surrounding Areas Advertise your company, product or service in With every edition, you receive: • Print and digital ads • Distribution to over 285 locations in four counties • 29 year history • High reader loyalty/receivership • Full ad design services • Audited circulation • Trusted advertising source ISSUE NO. 6 • February 11, ISSUE NO. 6 • February 11, 2021 • 2021 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 Our 29 th Year IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST! N.C. TRACTOR & FARM SUPPLY 299 Railroad Ave., Rutherfordton • 828-288-0395 Mobile: 828-429-5008 • mf1dpshehan@gmail.com COME SEE OUR INVENTORY COME SEE OUR INVENTORY ZERO PERCENT FOR 84 MONTHS! PROUDLY SERVING RUTHERFORD, CLEVELAND, GASTON, LINCOLN, POLK COUNTIES AS THE AREAS HOMETOWN MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER. IT'S IT'S FREE! FREE! The measure of a man can often be learned from his wife. Retiring ICC president and long-time public servant, Walter Dalton heard his wife, Lucille, say, "I've always been proud of him, especially his caring for other people." Lucille has had a career in public service, too, spending nine years on the local school board and once being named school board member of the year by the state association. Dalton heard stories of his late father, Charles C. Dalton, from his mother, Amanda Haynes Dalton, in his childhood. His father died when Walter was eight, but his state senate portrait hung in the hallway of his childhood home. He was inspired to think about public service as his mother talked about his father and that portrait. "I think we were at Cliffside dedicating a clock and a man came up to me and said my dad had helped get their road paved and talked about what a difference that had made in their lives," Dalton said. "That had been 20 years previous, but the man still remembered and was grateful. That got me thinking about the good that could come of working in public service." Again, there's that caring for other people. He gives a lot of credit to high school teacher, Lena Mayberry. "I was in an accelerated English class with her for all four years of high school. She really emphasized the importance of communications. Later in politics and practicing law, I really saw the importance of her training," Dalton said. Dalton was not only inspired by that portrait in the hall, the tribute from the man in Cliffside and Lena Mayberry. It's also very tender to him that his father left the state senate when Walter was born. "He was 44 years old and came home from the senate, because there was a baby at home," he said. Dalton also gave tribute to lions of local politics: Jamie Clark, Woodrow Jones, and Jack Hunt. Mike Gavin, who is the college's Director Of Marketing and Community Relations, said of Dalton, "Walter's background as a successful attorney, long-serving state senator and North Carolina's lieutenant governor positioned him to have a most unique and positive perspective from which to lead a community college. He served years as a trustee at Isothermal, on legislative committees charged with improving and funding community colleges across the state, and, while he was lieutenant governor, on the State Board of Community Colleges. "Walter brought all those years of cumulative knowledge with him to serve Isothermal with a singular purpose: to better the lives of people in Rutherford and Polk counties and beyond, by creating inclusive opportunities for personal, professional, economic and cultural development. Walter's strengths are in his abilities to build relationships and partnerships. He is the kind of tireless leader who sees solutions before some others might even recognize a problem. His persistence and determination serve him well as he leads an organization. And, he has a knack for identifying the right people who can do the right things at the right time." But such rich praise is not limited to Gavin. Local accountant Roger Jolley chairs the ICC board and said, "It's hard to speak about Walter in ordinary terms, because every position he's ever held, whether it was attorney, county attorney, state senator, Lt. Governor or president at Isothermal, he does a tremendous job. He goes above and beyond anybody's expectations of him." Dalton's career in politics led him to many opportunities to learn about education. He served on the senate's education committee, and chaired it for many years. As Lt. Governor, he visited more than 40 community colleges and saw great programs that he was later able to help start at ICC. He is particularly pleased with the Workforce Development center at the college. The building was named for Dalton during his last meeting with the trustees. During that meeting, Gov. Roy Cooper also presented Dalton with the Order Of The Longleaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor. "There is a lot of expensive equipment in the center that students can train on, including high school students, so we don't have to buy that same equipment for all the high schools in the county," Dalton said. He likes to talk about the early college program which has gained popularity in recent years and the fact that so much of the fi rst two years of a two-year degree can be gained at a community college at so much less cost. In addition to a brief time in banking and the other career paths he has followed, Dalton taught American Government and Southern Politics at Gardner Webb for a semester. He said he loved teaching, but had told the folks at GW he would take the ICC job if he had the opportunity. He said Southern Politics gave him a chance to tell one of his favorite funny stories. When Big Jim Folsom was elected governor of Alabama, he took a horse into the governor's mansion as part of his inauguration. A newspaper columnist wrote the next day, "It was the fi rst time in a long time that an entire horse had been in the governor's mansion." Both Daltons have worked long and hard for Rutherford County and North Carolina. You can't get that in a general store that sells everything. He Cares For People ICC Retirement Part Of Long, Good Service Retired ICC President Walter Dalton is shown here with, from left, Rita Dodson, her brother and promoter Ken McGinnis and Dr. Thad Harrill of the ICC staff. Dodson's artwork was recently donated to the college library. Faces From The Titanic was inspired by a costume party and showing of the Titanic movie at Rutherford Life Services. Dodson used the costumes and the enjoyment of the party to create the art work. (Photo by Mike Gavin) Retired ICC President Walter Dalton Article by Pat Jobe. BILL'S AUTO GLASS SHOP LOCALLY OWNED FOR 55 YEARS FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE ISSUE NO. 5 • February 4, ISSUE NO. 5 • February 4, 2021 • 2021 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 Our 29 th Year IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST! ©Communi ty First Media Community First Media 719 S. Broadway, Forest City Right off Exit 182 from US74 SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FACE MASK REQUIRED FACE MASK REQUIRED 828-229-3123 828-229-3123 MON.-FRI. 10-6; SAT. 10-4 MON.-FRI. 10-6; SAT. 10-4 DELTA 8 PRODUCTS DELTA 8 PRODUCTS VAPES VAPES SKATEBOARDS SKATEBOARDS DETOX SUPPLIES DETOX SUPPLIES IT'S IT'S FREE! FREE! Writing about Cecil Geer is like trying to sip water from a fi rehose. Geer's obituary makes it look like he was a telephone man and a deacon in the Baptist Church. That's like saying Abraham Lincoln was a failed businessman who occasionally practiced law. Cecil Geer lived his life so far out on the edge, his loving wife, Myra, had to sometimes pull him back. She'd say, "Cecil, you've got me and the boys. You've got to be a little safer." He loved motorcycles, friends and family, the Great God Up In Heaven and fun. That list is only a starter. Friend Mike Elliott said of him, "If God didn't have a sense of humor, he would never have made Cecil Geer." The stories go that he drove teachers crazy from an early age. One band director became so frustrated, he threw a drumstick at Geer. That's not the kind of drumstick that has chicken on it. He loved his sons, Jason and Justin, and loved to make chores into games. "He came home with two rakes and said, 'Boys, I've got a surprise for you. We're gonna have a contest. Each of you has a rake. This is your part of the yard and that over there is your part. Now, let's see who can rake the most leaves the fastest," Myra remembered. She and the boys stood for nearly fi ve hours as the line passed at Padgett and King Mortuary after his death on Halloween, 2016. Jason said, "I never dreamed I would spend fi ve hours laughing as people came to remember my dad." Myra said she heard so many stories she had never heard before about his tomfoolery and his kindness. "He wanted people to feel good about themselves. He was always encouraging people," Myra said. Jason also remembered a precious trip he and Justin took with their dad to Peru, "It was two weeks in which we did everything any of us wanted to do and talked about whatever we wanted to talk about. I think it lit the fi re in him for travel which he and Mom did a lot of after he retired." Lifelong friend David Wilkie said he was not a domineering type, not bossy. "When we were on a trip together on motorcycles, he would say to me, 'Now, you plan tomorrow's trip,' but I'd tell him that he knew the territory better than me. I didn't mind following, but he wanted to make sure I didn't feel bossed around." Wilkie's sister, Suzanne Bridges, remembers enjoying their friendship. "If I got to play with them, it was just great," she said of their shared childhood. They rode bikes, dug crawdads out of the creek, and played pickle. "We played a lot of pickle. You know how you get one guy running back and forth between two bases and the other two guys are throwing the ball back and forth trying to tag the runner," Wilkie said. That love of fun is hallmark Geer. Myra laughed to remember his racing Hootie the Owl, the mascot of the Forest City Owls in diving fl ippers. Wilkie said, "They weren't regular swimming fl ippers. They were big diving fl ippers about this long," and he held his hands about three feet apart. "I thought he was gonna die running in those things." Myra said he practiced in the driveway trying to run in those huge fl ippers. Geer served a number of years as booster club president for the Owls. Myra said the two of them attended many parties in years passed, but often told Geer, "They don't care if I come or not. You're the one they want at the party." Wilkie remembered that he left a party once for son Justin's birth, but came back later, once he knew baby and mama were okay. "Then he and Steve Gilbert did their Blues Brothers routine." That created more hilarity. In April 2016 multiple myeloma struck. The painful debilitating cancer put Geer and his family into a six-month tailspin. But they were never alone. A strong faith in God and the support of family and friends were vital. Max Champion, Jim Clement, and John Kozma provided rides to treatment, but Myra said, "I hope I don't leave anybody out." He would always take them Davis Donuts. "I urged him to fi ght it. I told him we have lots of sunrises and sunsets left to see," Myra said. Various treatments helped, but nothing helped enough. In the end this giant of kindness and fun lost the battle and moved on. "He belonged to God. I just had him on loan," Myra said. But if you have read this far, you have only touched the tip of the iceberg. "The ink wasn't dry on his drivers license when he asked to borrow his daddy's car," Wilkie remembered. "Me and him and Freddy McFarland went down to Low Bridge Road. It wasn't paved back then and he made it through the fi rst curve on that dirt road, but on the second curve he ran off the road. It didn't damage the car, but all that dust we had stirred up on that dirt road came right into that car. All three of us were out there with our t-shirts off wiping down the family car, getting rid of all that dust." Wilkie remembered two other car wrecks and two motorcycle wrecks that he and Geer shared. He joked, "If I'd a known I was gonna have to go through all that, I'd a never come around Cecil Geer." So not true. Continued on page 3. Continued on page 3. Article by Pat Jobe. We Miss The Fun Friends And Family Miss Geer's Tomfoolery Cecil Geer, 1951-2016 David Wilkie (left) and Geer were friends as far back as he can remember. On one canoe trip they fell into the Broad River after vowing, "No matter what, don't tip this thing over." Let us help you Let us help you GROW GROW your business your business BILL'S AUT UT UT U O O GL GL GL GLAS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS ASS S SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH S OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP BILL'S AUT UT UT U O GL GLAS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS ASS SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SHOP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP LOCALLY OWNED FOR 55 YEARS FRIENDLY SERVICE On one canoe trip they fell into the Broad atter what, don't tip this thing over." The area's The area's favorite weekly favorite weekly newspaper! newspaper! e k. (Photo by Mike Gavin) Over 25,000 Over 25,000 weekly readers! weekly readers! According to Gallup's 2021 Economy and Personal Finance survey, the average individual in the United States is retiring earlier than many people might expect. Gallup found that the average retirement age was 62, which is two years earlier than the working respondents indicated they planned to retire. Canadians are retiring a little bit later than their American counterparts, as Statistics Canada reports the average retirement age in Canada is just over 63 and a half. The average retirement age is worth noting, as studies routinely fi nd that many working professionals greatest concern about retiring is that they won't have enough money saved to meet their needs. By recognizing that they may end up retiring earlier than they initially planned, professionals can make a concerted effort to save more money in the years ahead. Did you know?

• Cover