Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1496503
Thursday, April 6-April 12, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 9 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! 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. Some of my most vivid memories come from the days of being on the lake. I can remember catching stripe bass as fast as I could cast but I can also remember being scared to death because I had not left early enough to beat the lightning storm. It seems we always think there's enough time for one more cast. As I got older I began to value my life more. Now if there's a storm within a hundred miles, I leave. There's just something about holding a graphite rod in my hand in the middle of a lake that doesn't sit well with me. Most of my memories, however, are good. They include days on a bass boat, a pontoon, and even wading. What all of them have in common is that the greatest moments were shared with a friend. It was with these friends that I learned to eat potted meat, Vienna Sausage and Beanie Weenies. This is stuff we never eat any other time. I have learned, if you're fi shing with a friend, it's ok to hold a bologna sandwich with the same hand that just lipped that big bass. (In case you didn't know, there are no germs on the lake.) Yes, friends are what I like about fi shing. I don't have to be anything but who and what I am. All of my life I have heard about the characteristics of God. He has many titles that give evidence of those characteristics. He is known primarily as father. He is called man's deliverer, sustainer, provider, and protector. All of these have special signifi cance for special times in each of our lives. When I'm scared I need him to be my protector. When I'm broke I need him to be my provider. But of all the titles and characteristics of God, my favorite is that he is a friend. And not only a friend but a friend to anyone who wants him to be. When God became fl esh through the person of Jesus, he proved this unique desire. Of Jesus, it was written, "He is a friend of sinners." Wow! Not just a friend, but a friend to those who don't measure up to the standards of perfection. Which is me! Which is you! Which is all of us. I hope one of the pictures you have of God is a friend. If it's not, you're going to miss out on a lot of good times and good memories being with someone who accepts you for who you are. By By Gary Miller Gary Miller Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 20 years. He has also written five 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 GARY MILLER Wild turkey hunting season opens in North Carolina on April 1. The youth season is April 1 – 7, and the statewide season is April 8 – May 6. Hunters are limited to two turkeys for the season, only one of which may be taken during the youth season. Chris Kreh, assistant chief of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's Wildlife Management Division, said that in the 2022 wild turkey season hunters statewide recorded 20,576 birds harvested, including 1,777 birds that were taken during youth season. The total falls short of the past two years' record- breaking totals, however it remains strong compared to totals prior to 2020. Kreh confi rmed that North Carolina's wild turkey population remains robust despite the increase in hunting pressure and harvest over the past few years. "Our agency has safeguards in place to ensure that overharvest does not occur," Kreh said. "Five weeks of hunting is conservative compared to most states, and hunters must comply with a two- bird limit and may only take male or bearded birds." Kreh added that the timing of the state's harvest season is strategic. "The season dates offer considerable opportunity for breeding before males are harvested. Hens are able to nest and raise poults as they always do." The youth season is open to anyone under the age of 18, and hunters aged 16 and 17 must have hunting licenses. Youth under 16 are exempt from license requirements provided they are accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 18 years old. Youth who have licenses or a hunter education card may hunt without adult supervision. All hunters must report their turkey harvest on a Big Game Harvest Report Card. Hunting licenses can be purchased on the agency's website, and hunter education courses are available across the state and online. Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity such as poaching or baiting may be eligible to receive a reward (up to $1,000) by reporting information that leads to a conviction to the Turn- In-Poachers program. For information on eligible violations and to learn how to submit a tip, visit ncwildlife.org/WildTip. For information about turkey hunting, including hunter safety and where to hunt, visit ncwildlife.org. Wild Turkey Season Opened in North Carolina on April 1 Article by: ncwildlife.org. The Rutherford County Carolina Bass Club fi shed Lake Hickory Saturday, April 1. 21 anglers fi shed in some very windy and rainy conditions. The water was 52-55 degrees and basically pretty clear. Boat traffi c was low. Weather conditions were bad, but everyone caught fi sh. Here are the tournament results: 1st place- Jacob Webb with a 5 fi sh limit weighing 10.69 pounds. 2nd place- The team of Doyle Hudson and Brian Branch with a 5 fi sh limit weighing 8.98 pounds. 3rd place- The team of Russell Cook and Roger Clark with a 5 fi sh limit weighing 8.24 pounds. 4th place- The team of George Crosswhite and Jason Price with a 5 fi sh limit weighing 8.10 pounds. Jacob Webb won the big fi sh of the day award with a 4.41 pound largemouth. Stan Brackett won the 2nd big fi sh of the day award with a 3.70 pound largemouth. The Carolina Bass Club fi shes Lake Norman April 15. Article Provided By: Rutherford County Carolina Bass Club Fishing Report Following Polk County's purchase of 140 acres of land from Conserving Carolina in February for the Polk County Recreation Complex, the major expansion has begun. The 140 acres at Little White Oak Mountain builds on the complex's 456 acres, for a total of 596 acres. In addition, the county is planning a 7-10-mile trail system along with other recreational improvements. This purchase marks the second expansion of the park using land protected by Conserving Carolina, the fi rst being 300 acres. Polk County Recreation Complex was originally 156 acres, and, with the most recent phase, it has nearly quadrupled in size. With the 140-acre addition, Polk County is creating a 7-10-mile network of trails for hiking, running and mountain biking, providing the only mountain biking trails in the county accessible to non- expert cyclists. "I am really excited that this project is happening," says Laura Baird, the recreation coordinator for Polk County Parks, Recreations, & Maintenance. "It's been a long time coming and the public has been really patient. I'm excited that we fi nally have the green light." In 2021, Polk County received a grant for $336,000 from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to provide the bulk of the funds needed to purchase the land. It also covers the trail design and construction and other updates and added features. The matching funds required for the grant came from the Polk County Community Foundation and from Conserving Carolina choosing to sell the land below market value. The county, which did not have to give any additional funds for the project, has supported the endeavor by endorsing the grant proposal and providing the workers needed to build the playground and horseshoe pits. The trail network is expected to be completed by late 2024, with other new features that include an outdoor classroom, horseshoe pits and a new playground. The expanded park is now adjoined to Polk County Middle School as well as to the Green River Game Lands. It also connects to a future workforce housing development that will be built by the nonprofi t Housing Assistance Corporation. "The fact that we have access to this resource right outside our classrooms opens up a whole world to our students — not just in the academic sense of learning about the animals and plants that live there, but also learning the concept that students, no matter what age or ability, can be stewards of the land," said Jeanne Ferran, a Polk County Middle School teacher. "Our own backyard is our greatest classroom, and the more we learn and understand it, the better our community will be in the future." Community Trail Design is developing the trail system, in partnership with Trail Dynamics. Local volunteers and student groups are also contributing. The middle school trail crew and high school occupational prep classes are helping to remove invasive species, keep the area clean, work on trails and build the outdoor classroom. 140 acre park expansion underway in Polk County Article Provided By: Jean Gordon Email news and events to events@rutherfordweekly.com or go to or go to www.rutherfordweekly.com www.rutherfordweekly.com to submit online. to submit online. Have interesting news about your business or organization? Email it to us! Email it to us! Sale Conducted By: Elliott/Dixon Auctions LLC 1512 Burke Road • Shelby, NC 28152 704-472-5000 • NCAL #3806 Go to auction zip.com (7760) to view listing and see pictures. ESTATE (DECEASED) AUCTION WILLIAM DIXON (BILL) LACKEY SAT. APRIL 8TH 10:00AM 905 HAWTHORNE RD., SHELBY, NC THIS AUCTION WAS CANCELED ON THE 1ST. GO TO auction zip.com #7760 to view the pictures & complete listing. rescheduled