Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1508162
Thursday, September 21-September 27, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 9 Conner Stroud of Rutherfordton made his debut in the US Open recently. "It was incredibly special, especially considering the years I'd spent as a spectator watching my tennis idols compete," Conner said before heading to Toronto, Canada for another tournament. "Returning to New York alone was a treat, but actually participating in the tournament felt surreal," he said. "Playing in such a prestigious event made me nervous, and to add to the pressure, my singles match was the last one scheduled for the court, leaving me with plenty of time to contemplate. While I played decently, it left me with a bittersweet feeling, knowing I had more potential." "However, this experience ignited my motivation to improve moving forward," Conner said. "The enthusiastic crowds and the chance to meet some spectators were highlights. In my downtime, I relished strolling around the grounds and watching other matches. All in all, competing in the US Open was an unforgettable experience for me." Accompanying Conner to New York were his parents, Dewey and Rita Stroud. "Our week at the US Open was great. Conner played in his fi rst grand slam tournament. We were able to watch Conner's friend Coco Gauf win her fi rst grand slam and Novak Djokovic win his record 24th grand slam title," Rita said. "Conner has reached many goals in wheelchair tennis. Playing at the ParaOlympics and the Open are the pinnacle of tennis," she said. The USTA and the US Open are leaders in providing equal opportunity to all pro players including wheelchair tennis. Conner will compete in Chile at the ParaPan Games in November and next year in Paris at the Olympics. 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. The seasons are changing. The mornings and evenings are cooler, the days are getting shorter, and the days of harvesting are coming to an end. Fall is most people's favorite time of year. I'm not sure if it's because of its comfort and colors, or because it's simply a reprieve from the previous months of sweltering heat. For hunters, of course, it's our favorite time because our seasons begin to open in earnest. The days of practicing, waiting, and dreaming will turn into mornings of crisp expectations. And then it won't be too long until the cycle will repeat itself. It has for centuries, with only small changes to climate and seasonal temperatures that are unusual to a particular time of year. Cycles make things predictable. And each cycle has its own signs that let us know what season is ahead. These indicators have been accurate as long as man has been around. They are not only a compass but early-warning-signs that tell us to make sure we're ready for whatever it is that is coming up next. For instance, right now the signs are telling me to make sure I have enough fi rewood for the winter. They tell me to get ready. Followers of Christ believe that creation is the fi rst language God spoke. The Apostle Paul said that in it we can see God's invisible qualities, divine nature, and eternal power. It is His compass and His early-warning system. It not only lets us know about earthly things, but it lets us know about heavenly things as well. And seasons are a clue that hits us in the face several times a year. I think its main alert is to let us know that one day, even our time on this earth as we know it, will be over. We will transition to a new heaven and a new earth. Some even now say, we are in the last days. They may be right. But if I am to be honest, I have heard that since I was a child. And yet, here we still are. Waiting. Watching. Wondering. So, what do we do when we can know or understand the signs? We listen to the words of someone we know and someone we can trust. Because words are better than signs. For me, I quit looking for the signs. I quit being concerned whatsoever about how soon our transition is. I just remember the promise of Jesus – the one in whom I trust. And he simply said. "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14 ESV) And with that promise, I can rest knowing that whenever it is, I am ready. By By Gary Miller Gary Miller Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ GARY MILLER Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written fi ve 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 Article Provided By: Jean Gordon. Photos Contributed. Conner Stroud competes at US Open The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will implement Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations on 33 trout waters on Oct. 1. Under Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations, no trout may be harvested or possessed from identifi ed waters between Oct. 1 and one half-hour after sunset on June 1, 2024. No natural bait may be possessed, and anglers can only fi sh with artifi cial lures with one single hook. An artifi cial lure is defi ned as a fi shing lure that neither contains nor has been treated with any substance that attracts fi sh by the sense of taste or smell. Wildlife Commission staff stock Delayed Harvest Trout Waters from fall through spring with high densities of trout to increase anglers' chances of catching fi sh. Delayed Harvest Trout Waters, posted with diamond- shaped, black-and-white signs, are popular fi shing destinations for anglers who enjoy catch-and- release trout fi shing. While fi shing, anglers should consider these best practices to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species like gill lice, whirling disease and didymo: • CLEAN equipment of all aquatic plants, animals and mud • DRAIN water from boats, live wells and equipment • DRY equipment thoroughly • NEVER MOVE fi sh, plants or other organisms from one body of water to another Learn more about aquatic nuisance species by visiting the agency's Aquatic Nuisance Species webpage. For a complete list of Delayed Harvest Trout Waters, the trout stocking schedule, inland fi shing regulations and trout fi shing maps, visit the Wildlife Commission's trout fi shing page. Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Open Oct. 1 Article by: ncwildlife.org. The Rutherford County Carolina Bass Club fi shed Lake Rhodhiss September 16. Twenty anglers fi shed. The weather was perfect, the water was great 78-82 degrees and clear, boat traffi c was not as bad as it has been. Fishing was good, most of the anglers caught fi sh. Here are the tournament results: 1st place- The team of Mike Melton and Mike Cash with a 5 fi sh limit weighing 10.16 pounds. 2nd place- The team of George Crosswhite and Jason Price with a 5 fi sh limit weighing 9.52 pounds. 3rd place- The team of Stan Brackett and Chris Cross with a 5 fi sh limit weighing 9.13 pounds. 4th place- The team of Keith McClure and Jr. Self with a 5 fi sh limit weighing 7.71 pounds. Mike Casgh won the big fi sh of the day award with a 3.21 pound largemouth. Jason Price won the 2nd big fi sh of the day award with a 3.14 pound largemouth. The Carolina Bass Club fi shes Lake Lookout September 21. Article Provided By: Rutherford County Carolina Bass Club Fishing Report Everyone Reads