Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1501875
Thursday, June 22-June 28, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 17 6 DAY FORECAST RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S For Up To The Minute Rutherford County Weather Go To rutherfordweekly.com 83 64 TUES JUNE 27 PM THUNDERSTORMS THUR JUNE 22 77 64 FRI JUNE 23 SAT JUNE 24 81 64 SUN JUNE 25 83 66 83 65 MON JUNE 26 THUNDERSTORMS SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS PM THUNDERSTORMS 72 64 ©Community First Media Community First Media www.duffi escopier.com www.duffi escopier.com 828-245-5116 828-245-5116 LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 50 YEARS LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 50 YEARS SUPPLIES EQUIPMENT SERVICE PRINTED MATERIALS 671 Oak St., Forest City, NC 28043 BUY LOCAL • SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED DOLL ARS! BUY LOCAL • SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED DOLL ARS! Black & White & Color Copies Many Sizes Low Cost Per Copy CALL US BEFORE YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE CALL US BEFORE YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE Mayra Littman Advertising Representative mayra@cfmedia.info 704-472-7892 RUTHERFORD WEEKLY IS HERE FOR YOU! STRIVING TO HELP ALL BUSINESSES SUCCEED! If you're not sure what to do or how to advertise, give me a call or e-mail. Let's make an appointment and discuss ways we can help! 157 West Main Street, Forest City 828.248.1408 rutherfordweekly.com Digital & Print Ads Much More....Call TODAY! North Carolina Main Street Champions were recognized recently for their contributions to their Main Street programs. Among the 2022 North Carolina Main Street Champions are the late Jim Wantuch of Forest City and Rick Segal, formerly of Rutherfordton. Wantuch was named Forest City's Main Street Champion posthumously and Segal was named the Main Street Champion for Rutherfordton. "North Carolina's most important asset is the people that live and work in their communities, and our Main Street program teaches our communities how to leverage this invaluable resource into positive economic change," said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. "Champions are the heartbeat of rural North Carolina," said Kenny Flowers, Assistant Secretary of Rural Economic Development at the N.C. Department of Commerce. "They don't give up on their communities and keep fi ghting for new businesses, new jobs, and new investment." "Main Street Champions are passionate about their community and their downtown districts," said Liz Parham, Director of the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center at Commerce. "They are public offi cials, volunteers, community leaders and concerned citizens that are all working collaboratively for common goals within the context of their community's economic development strategies." Wantuch came to Forest City from the corporate world and took early retirement from AFA Corporation in 2000 and fulfi lled a dream of owning an antique store. Along with his wife Linda, their business, Dovetails and Rusty Nails, has been a vital part of Main Street, Forest City. According to his nomination, Wantuch was a member of the Forest City Merchants Association, and worked behind the scenes of the annual Hot Nights Cool Rides Car Show and the Forest City Christmas parade. He encouraged other Merchants to open during events, saying, "Folks may be here only for the event, but chances are if they walk into the store, they'll buy something; if not today, then next week." "Jim passed away after a brief illness in February 2023, but his contributions to Main Street are long lasting and we are honored to recognize him as a Main Street Champion" read the nomination letter from the Town of Forest City. His wife Linda Wantuch, his sons, Joe and Bob Wantuch, and his granddaughter, Courtney Wantuch, attended the Main Street Champion recognition ceremony. "We were all very honored to have him recognized as a Champion. He would have insisted that he didn't deserve it, but I know it would have made him smile," said Karen Wantuch. Karen continued, "Dad was the voice of kindness and encouragement of our family. Moving here from Indiana in the 70's with his wife Linda and two sons was a big step. Moving away from all of the tight knit family in Indiana that they were surrounded by growing up, was a huge change. My father loved living here in Forest City. Small town friends and values were important to him. That in turn made them important to us as we have all grown. With his many years at Torrington and AFA, he made many friends in the community. He was always kind and looked to help anyone that worked for him or that was around him. Since his passing, our family has had many encounters with former employees of my father who have expressed their gratitude on how he believed in them and gave them opportunities that they normally wouldn't get." "We honor him all the time by using his quirky jokes and sayings in our daily lives and making sure our two local businesses honor his wishes of staying "small town friendly" and taking part in all of the downtown activities, no matter how big or small. Jim Wantuch was a one of a kind man. Segal was diligent in his Main Street work during the time he and his wife lived in Rutherfordton. Article Provided By: Jean Gordon The Wantuch family, including wife Linda (center) at the awards ceremony. Main Street Champions honored Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. They don't wear capes or special suits, and their badge of honor is the bandage that shows they gave the gift of life. The community is invited to become a hometown hero and answer the call of patients in need by donating blood at the following convenient locations: Friday, June 23; 10AM-2:30PM First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton, Fellowship Hall 246 N. Main St., Saturday, June 24; 10AM-2:30PM Pilgrims Way Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall 485 Hamilton Rd., Donating blood is one of the simplest things a person can do to help save a patient's life. For the hour it takes to give blood, there could be a whole community of people thankful for another birthday given to their loved one. To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Completion of a RapidPass® online health history questionnaire is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/ RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identifi cation are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Article Provided By: Gail Barksdale Donate blood and become a hero for patients in need