Rutherford Weekly

Thursday, June 16-June 22, 2022 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 9 How many snakes in North Carolina are Venomous? Out of the thirty-eight different species of snakes in North Carolina, only six are venomous. Venomous snakes include the Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Pigmy Rattlesnake, and the Eastern Coral Snake. The Copperhead is the most common and widespread venomous snake in North Carolina, occur- ring in both rural and urban environments. Four of the six are protected species in North Carolina, and as such, should not be handled or disturbed: the Timber and Pigmy Rattle- snakes are both Species of Special Concern, while the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and Eastern Coral Snake are both Endangered. Why do snakes shed their skins? As a snake grows, its body increases in size, but its skin does not grow with it. Therefore, as they grow, snakes must replace their smaller skins with larger ones. The act of shedding old skin also removes any parasites that may have been present on their skin. Snakes shed their skins in a manner similar to that of pulling off a sock inside out. A snake's shed skin can be useful in identifying the species of snake. Do snakes pose a threat to humans or pets? Snake diets vary widely, ranging from mice and other small mammals to birds, fi sh, and invertebrates (insects, worms, etc.). Snakes do not regard humans as prey. A snake is more likely to seek escape when confronted, rather than attack. However, if snakes are disturbed or put in a situation without an escape route, they will bite or lunge outward to defend themselves. In general, if left alone, snakes pose no threat to humans or pets. What should I do when I see a snake? When someone encounters a snake, usually the person and the snake are both caught off guard. The best plan is to leave the snake alone and give it plenty of space. In most cases, given time, the snake will move out of the area on its own. Like all reptiles, snakes are cold-blooded, meaning that their internal temperatures follow that of the ambient temperatures where they are found. On a cool day, a snake encountered basking may not yet have the energy to move away from you, so it may require more time and warmer temperatures before it can retreat. Will someone remove snakes from my property? The NC Wildlife Resources Commission does not send people out to trap and remove snakes. Removing one snake is not going to stop another from taking its place. Snakes are found all over North Carolina, from forests to cities, so it makes sense to learn to live with them. The best plan for citizens of North Carolina is to learn about snakes and alter habits to minimize negative interactions, and in the process, learn to coexist with snakes. We Want Your Outdoor Photos! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Sportsman's Corner Sportsman's Corner Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail: 157 W Main St., Forest City, NC 28043 Phone: 828-248-1408 *Publisher has the fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. As a youngster, there was one activity that characterized my summers – swimming. I loved to go to the public swimming pool and stay until my fi ngers and toes were wrinkled up like prunes. It was the place to be, as a teenager in the late 70's. Since there were no tanning beds, the girls would all show up with towels, tanning lotion, and a radio, and lay in the sun until the local DJ would give the cue to turn. The guys, on the other hand, would line up at the diving boards (which just happened to be by the girls) and take turns doing our best imitation of an Olympic diver. Unlike today, our swimming pool was equipped with both a high dive and a shorter one, and there were always a couple of older guys who were willing to teach us younger ones the art of perfecting certain dives. I can remember learning full and half gainers, 1 ½'s, and of course all of the maneuvers that provided the biggest splash (These sort of determined male dominance among the girls and I was never the dominate male). When I think about these special times, there are two things that come to mind. First, I always remember the line to the high dive being much shorter than the one to the lower one. And I also remember all the times I fl opped, crashed, and burned, trying to learn a new dive. I can still feel the stinging sensation from a fl ip gone awry. But I can also remember getting back in line and doing it again, and again, and again. Now, fast forward from the Bee Gees and Boston, to Bublé and Beyoncé. Fast forward from a skinny youth with no tolerance for quitting no matter how much pain, to a plumper older guy who tends to refrain from any activity that requires both learning and pain. Fast forward from a shivering boy on a high dive to someone who fi ghts the temptation to linger around the lower, easier, and safer places of life. Some would say I am older and wiser now, and that is true. But being older and wiser was never meant to keep me from scaling new heights and even from the occasional belly fl op. It is only meant to help me determine which pools I am meant to be spending my time swimming in. By By Gary Miller Gary Miller Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ GARY MILLER Gary has written the Outdoor Truths article for 20 years. He has also written four books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild- game dinners and men's events for churches and associations. gary@outdoortruths.org N.C. TRACTOR & FARM SUPPLY PHIL SHEHAN Email: mf1dpshehan@gmail.com PHONE: CELL: FAX: (828) 288-0395 (828) 429-5008 (828) 288-1286 299 RAILROAD AVENUE, RUTHERFORDTON Wishing the class of 2022 a bright future! FULL SERVICE, SALES, PARTS A grave marking ceremony for Patriot Charles Crawford Lewis (1761-1833) was held recently. Lewis, who served in the Revoluntary War and served as Register of Deeds in Rutherford County for approximately 30 years, was celebrated at the Greenhill American Legion clubhouse on May 21st with many of his ancestors in attendance. The Blue Ridge Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution from Hendersonville performed this ceremony. Grave marking ceremony held for Charles Crawford Lewis Article Provided By: Terrell Lewis The color guard. Descendants in attendance with the color guard. Left The grave and William Terrell Lewis. The grave is in Green Hill. Article by: ncwildlife.org. Coexist with Snakes Black racer, by MELISSA MCGAW/NCWRC Email: Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail or Drop-Off: Mail or Drop-Off: 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 *Publisher has fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. We Want Your Kids Sports Photos! •Basketball •Baseball •Softball •Soccer •Archery •Equestrian •Etc! Call Today! Call Today! 828-248-1408 828-248-1408 Advertise in the POSITIVE paper!

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