Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1499555
Thursday, May 18-May 24, 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. As I was loading my vehicle after a morning in the turkey woods, a truck slowly passed by. I could see that it was other hunters. They slowed long enough to tell me of their successful morning. Because I wanted to hear more about it, they pulled over long enough to show me two nice gobblers that each had taken. They had doubled that morning in what they described as a perfect hunt where both birds came in just as they had hoped. After a few more inquiries I discovered this team was one of father and son. It seems for a few years now they had punched a tag on opening morning, and this was another opening day that would add to the streak. The son looked to be a young man in his early twenties. He, undoubtedly, had made many other trips before, with his dad. I always try to celebrate with anyone who brings the game home he or she goes after, but it is extremely satisfying when I encounter a father and child in the woods or on the water together. I know this meeting will have benefi ts far beyond the trip itself, and far greater than the prey that is brought home. It's amazing how very little will be said during a hunt, but how much will be gleaned from this time together. A father will silently show his love by allowing his child to pull the trigger instead of himself. The youth will see a side of his father that he may otherwise never see. These kinds of moments together will make indelible marks on a child. These are moments where the words "I love you" are fl eshed out. This is when the light goes on in our boy or girl's head and they say "Oh, that's what love means. It means putting others fi rst. It means sacrifi ce. It means wanting the best for someone else." These are lessons that move from the head to the heart and stay there forever. Dads, I hope your love is being fl eshed out to your children in some way. I hope you understand it's not enough to put food on the table and to simply say words of affi rmation. Our children must see where they stand in our lives. They must see us giving up the things we love the most, for them. If we do that, they will see the right picture of God and will know by experience the kind of love He has for them as well. Then, what they have learned about God with their mind will have moved to their hearts, and they will understand His amazing grace. By By Gary Miller Gary Miller Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 20 years. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men's events for churches and associations. gary@outdoortruths.org GARY MILLER For the second year in a row, biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are asking for the public's assistance in helping them track chipmunks east of I-95 in North Carolina. While biologists have long known chipmunks were found in the state north and west of Wake County, a photograph of a chipmunk from Wilmington in 2021 got them wondering just how far east and south these tiny rodents have travelled. So, last year, they submitted a public appeal asking for observations. For this year, biologists are again asking anyone who sees a chipmunk east of I-95 to: • Take a photo • Note the location (GPS coordinates are preferred) • Email the photo to hwi@ncwildlife. org Much smaller than squirrels, chipmunks are only 8 to 10 inches long (counting 3 to 4 inches of tail), with reddish-brown fur, two white stripes bordered by black on the sides and one black stripe down the center of the back. Their most distinguishing characteristic is their large cheek pouches, which they use to store and carry food. Although chipmunks can be found in both urban and rural habitats, they prefer open woodlands or forest edges, which provide plenty of cover and dry hillsides for digging burrows. Burrows provide protection from predators such as hawks, owls, foxes and snakes, as well as a safe place to sleep during the winter. The best times to spot chipmunks are early morning and late afternoon — those are the times chipmunks are most active, gathering and storing food, usually nuts, seeds and berries, although these opportunistic predators will also snack on insects, small amphibians and birds, if given a chance. Also, look down and not necessarily up to spot one, according to Andrea Shipley, a mammalogist with the Commission. "Unlike squirrels, chipmunks spend most of their time foraging on the ground, climbing trees only occasionally," Shipley said. "We really want to encourage people to send us photos and information of any chipmunks they see in any county east of I-95," Shipley added. "We will use this information to update our chipmunk distribution map, which we will then use to assess the animal's conservation status in the state and any need for conservation planning or research we may do in the future." For more information on eastern chipmunks in North Carolina, visit the Commission's eastern chipmunk species page, www.ncwildlife.org/ eastern-chipmunk. Spot a Chipmunk? Let the N. C. Wildlife Commission Know! Article by: ncwildlife.org. A visitor to Saturday's Heart of the Foothills Animals Rescue- sponsored fundraising looks through items at a booth hosted by Rachael Bradley and Abi Lynn Thompson of Forest City. Several vendor spaces were rented to several people from the public for the event held in the parking lot at Spindale United Methodist Church. While shopping was going on, Heart of the Foothills volunteer Sandy Roane walked with Floyd, among pets up for adoption at the Animal Rescue at 1366 Highway 221, Rutherfordton. Floyd and several of his siblings are up for adoption after they were found as puppies in a box. For information to adopt or to volunteer at the center, call 828-287-7338 or visit www. heartofthefoothills.org Heart of the Foothills Animals Rescue fundraiser held at Spindale United Methodist Church recently Article & Photos Provided By: Jean Gordon Compose With Color Color Create a winning ad by adding color to your palette. Color will make your advertising stand out and get noticed faster. Research even shows that people are more likely to remember and respond to a color ad than one in black-and-white. And when your ad looks good, you look good too. In other words: Color Sells! We Sell Results! To start advertising in color, call today: 828-248-1408 small town friendly BIG time results