Rutherford Weekly

Our 18th Year • Issue No. 41 • October 14, 2010 bracelets, rings... anything gold & we’ll pay you Cash on theCash on theSpot! Bring us your chains, Spot! B&D’S B&D’S “SMALL T WN FRIENDL “SMALL TOWN FRIENDL EZ Wireless UNLIMITED MINUTES UNLIMITED TEXT MESSAGE Nationwide Cellular Works On The Nations Largest Network NO CONTRACT NO CREDIT CHECK $4495 HOME PHONE SERVICE FIRST MONTH FREE! No Connection Fee! Starting At $1565 pageplus 828-202-5597 644 S. Broadway St. Forest City Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm ;Sat. 10am-2pm Memories, Good Stories Remember Cliffside Day See page 22! Building Positive Mind Body • Spirit Since 1975 35 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL! FREE UNIFORM 35 YEAR FREE UNIFORM NO INTRODUCTORY FEE NO INTRODUCTORY FEE Great Per Mo. By M.A. Andrews maandrews@rutherfordweekly.com This is a great story. It's not about guns. It's about a man "who grew up very poor" and became determined to succeed. This is a story which is a shinning example of what Rutherford County needs more of - dedicat- ed people who want a small business and are determined to make it happen! Don Toney has always loved guns. Thirty fi ve years ago, Don decided to turn his hobby into a business. He worked at Golden Valley Mills and lived on Route 64- 3621 to be ex- act. He built a 24x36 building (now 76x44) next to his house on Route 64 and opened a gun shop. When the folks he worked with at Golden Valley Mill heard about his new ven- ture, they all told Don, "you'll never make it and you'll be back here at the mill very soon." They were sure he'd "go broke". That was thirty fi ve years ago and today Donald Ray Toney together with his two sons, Dean and Bruce, now have not one, but two successful locations in Rutherford County. If you ask Don if it was easy he will tell you an emphatic "no'! He stayed at the mill for a year while he was getting the gun shop es- The man who wouldn't take no for an answer, everyone's favorite, Don Toney with sons Dean (left) and Bruce. tablished. His wife would cover for him while he was at the plant. He also worked twelve hour days. He would open the door for anyone and loved to help people. He still is the best at introducing women to guns and teaching them everything they need to know about gun safety. His gun shop even has pink handled guns. He's a very kind man and cares about people. His customers have been with him for years- some thirty fi ve years. People come from miles around and out of state to see the man who knows his trade. Don is a good Christian. He is a proud and very active member of Crestview Baptist Church in Forest City. If not at the gun shop, you will see Don at Crestview every Sunday and Wednesday. He also collects clothes for coal miners kids in Ken- tucky and he and his wife Sarah drive there the second week in December to take them what is too often their only Christmas gift. Don has 3x5 index cards with the names and sizes of clothing the children need. He'll tell you about the time a little girl in a tattered sweater in freezing weather opened her package and found a new coat. She looked at Don and as her eyes sparkled, she smiled and said: "I have a coat! A nice warm coat!" That seems to say it all! These may be trying times, but the Don Toney story should inspire many people. It should be an outstanding example of what you can do, regardless of circum- stances. Don is 70 1/2 years old and is always grateful for his success. Perhaps one of the best things he has accomplished thus far, is to impress everyone, when they know his story, that they too can succeed. He is a shinning example of what may be Rutherford County's future - small businesses, locally owned, who make a big difference. RUTHERFORD COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TWO DAY POLITICAL FORUM A HIT! It started at 6 p.m. for two days, this past Friday and Saturday, the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce held a forum for all voters to meet, hear and ask questions of the candidates running for public offi ce in November. The presentation of candidates running for offi ce was very well done. Each can- didate from each race was able to give a short opening statement of their views and policies. Questions were posed from select media representatives, as well as from the voting public. Each candidate was given an opportunity to respond to each question. The Chamber sponsored event proved to be most informative. Candidates were given equal time to express their views and then take questions. “It is easier to build “It is easier to build boys and girls than boys and girls than to mend men and women” to mend men and women” † Call About Our Awesome Teen & Adult Classes $2000 140 W. Main St., Forest City 828-245-5792 FIRST SERVICE CALL OR OFF MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT Call For Information Can Save You Hundreds In Repairs Offer Valid For New Agreement Customers only. Not Valid With Any Other Offer. Expires 11/15/10 245-1141 • BEST PRODUCTS • BEST SERVICE • BEST VALUE www.shelbyheating.com The Director of Rutherford County Chamber, Rick Austin presiding over the two day political forum held at The Foundation at Isothermal Community College. 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