Rutherford Weekly

Page 4 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 By KEVIN CARVER This past week’s Daytona 500 and the re- minder of Dale Earnhardt’s death that stun- ningly happened 10 years ago is still fresh on the minds of many. However, it was the week after that it really hit home for most, includ- ing me. At the time, I was a senior in high school and on Christmas Day I got tickets to the event that followed the Daytona 500, which was at the North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham. That Sunday, February 25, 2001, I get to the track and the scene was surreal. Along Highway 1, a huge and historic rock, which deemed the venue its nickname as “The Rock”, was surrounded by hun- dreds of people on a cool, gloomy and cloudy day. Thousands had already paid their respects that weekend by placing cards, fl owers and pictures of Dale alongside this sediment that had his name engraved in it as a three-time winner there. Traditionally, if a Sprint Cup driver won at Rockingham, their name would be etched on that rock. The theme continued with folks pouring in, paying their respects that Sunday. Even music boxes played somberly as some shed tears and hugged the closest person that meant something to them. Some people stopped to pray. It’s was like a “Coming to Jesus moment” for certain folks at the track that day and something to never forget. Think about this! Here is a man who was involved in so many terrible wrecks that he survived throughout his career, yet it seemed impossible that he had been killed in a race car. Don’t get me wrong, Dale was not to be worshiped, but I admit the feelings were numb that Sunday because you always had to pay attention to what ol’ Ironhead was up to every weekend. Brought Brought to you by: to you by: FAST WAY AST WA www.rutherfordweekly.com Being Without Dale Earnhardt Being Without Dale Earnhardt A little later as the green fl ag waved to this new beginning without Dale Sr. racing, people waved hand out pennants from the speedway with the #3 on it. On the fi rst lap of the race though, it was his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. that crashed out of the event. As odd as that seemed, Junior would walk away okay. In short, only 55 laps of racing took place that day as rain forced the event to be run to its entirety (393 laps) on Monday. For dinner, NASCAR President Mike Helton strolls into a Pizza Hut unexpectedly in Aberdeen where my father and I are eating. However, I couldn’t help but engage myself in a conversation with Mike. The irony, about the same time one week before, he echoed the words in a NASCAR press conference --- “We lost Dale Earn- hardt.” There was no doubt, the concept was still taking a toll on him too. When Monday came, the weather was much better, but a more surprising thing caught my attention. There were people sur- rounding the offi cial merchandise hauler of Dale’s. People were allowed to sign their name and write comments in permanent marker on that black and white Goodwrench #3 hauler. Literally, there were people standing on top of other people’s shoulder just to fi nd a place to scribble out what exactly was on their hearts and minds at such an indescribable time. When racing resumed that Monday, Dale Earnhardt Incorporated driver, Steve Park battle intensely with Bobby Labonte. In coming to the white fl ag, Park pinched a hard charging Labonte into the outside turn four wall. It gave Park just enough cushion to barely cross the stripe fi rst, for victory on the next lap. For once in a long eight days of sadness, the sun basked over- head on the sport as crews and fans alike received a small amount of medicine with a DEI car in the winner’s circle that afternoon. Not Just Oil, Pennzoil 828-245-0434 • 293 S. Broadway St., Forest City WINTER WEATHER IMPACTS BLOOD COLLECTIONS AMERICAN RED CROSS The American Red Cross reports that inclement weather over the past few days has resulted in more than 2,700 units of blood that could not be collected due to blood donation center closures, cancelled blood drives and the inability of donors to attend blood drives. There is a special need for type O and type B blood donors. Saturday, February 26 Lake Lure Town Hall (Memorial Hwy; Lake Lure) 11am–4pm. Call Lindsey at 669-6575 to schedule appointment. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. AUTOS-UCKS 87-91 FORD 4WD parts or whole. 1989 Toyota 4WD p/u for parts. 1985 Toyota ext cab pick up for parts. 1968-72 Ford truck parts. 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WHY BUY FROM JD BYRIDER? 24 Month/24,000 Mile Limited Warranty Service Department (Open Mon-Sat) ASE Certifi ed Technicians Establish Or Re-Establish Credit** Get A Better Car With Affordable Payment TOLL FREE 1-888-266-7124 www.gojdb.com Call TODAY For QUICK APPROVAL 1030 N. Church St., Spartanburg, SC Across from Spartanburg Dodge *ADDITIONAL DOWN PAYMENT MAY BE REQUIRED AT A LATER DATE, SUBJECT TO FINANCING APPROVAL, LIMITED VEHICLE SELECTION, 21.9% APR, 30 MO. TERM $42.58 MO. PER $1000 FINANCED. ** ON-TIME PAYMENTS OF THIS RETAIL INSTALLMENT CONTRACT COMBINED WITH TIMELY PAYMENTS OF ALL YOUR BILLS AND OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS TIME ON THE JOB, ANNUAL INCOME, ETC. CAN RESULT IN RAISING YOUR CREDIT RATING. NEED A JOB? WE CAN HELP! WE CAN HELP! Have you ever thought about owning your own small business? Have you ever thought about gy Thursday, February 24-March 2, 2011 We have cabbage, broccoli & caulifl ower plants, onion and potato sets and other season items. Atten: Husqvarna, Snapper, Hustler FREE PICK-UP Atten: Husqvarna, Snapper, Hustler riding mower owners:riding mower owners: ACE EQUIPMENT IS HAVING A PRE-SEASON SPECIAL FOR PEOPLE WHO FREE PICK-UP & DELIVERYIF YOU LET US SERVICE YOUR MOWER. ACE EQUIPMENT IS HAVING A PRE-SEASON SPECIAL FOR PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED RIDING MOWERS FROM ACE DURING FEBRUARY... PURCHASED RIDING MOWERS FROM ACE DURING FEBRUARY... DELIVERYIF YOU LET US SERVICE YOUR MOWER. ACE EQUIPMENT Sales & Service AUTOS-UCKS 1953 F100 FORD PICKUP TRUCK. Duke Power South Car- olina titled one time. Has 1971 351 Windsor running gear, mo- tor, transmission, rear-end, au- tomatic, new tail lights & brakes, $3500 firm. 828-245-8035, 828- 817-2545. AUTOS-TRUCKS 1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD 18” chrome rims, V6, air, all power, CD player, good condition, $3500. Please call 828-289-6212, leave message. 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS CX. Salvage rebuilt title, clean inside/out, drivable but needs torque converter, solenoid runs hot sometimes, color white, 114k miles, $2000. Call 828-202-5925. ACE EQUIPMENT Sales & Service AUTOS-UCKS JUNK VEHICLES WANTED, no title required! Must have ID. Pick- ing up 24/7, paying $255 & up. 2 FREE LARGE PIZZAS INCLUD- ED. Buying Catalytic Converters, $35 each, no limit, any size. Cash on the spot. 828-202-1715, 828- 447-4276. AUTOS-TRUCKS 2005 DODGE RAM SLT 2500 Diesel, 6 speed, 4dr., 4WD, 58k miles, rebuilt salvage title, $19,500. Please call 828-447- 2828. 2008 JEEP WRANGLER UN- LIMITED X, 4 door, four wheel drive, hard top, power windows and locks, rebuilt salvage title, $16,200. Please call 828-447- 2828. 828-286-9781 126 Park Lane Drive • Rutherfordton Behind BB&T Bank AUTOS-UCKS 1990 MERCEDES 300E. Garage kept, leather interior, excellent condition, runs great, $3000. 704- 600-6063. AUTOS-TRUCKS 1994 MACK CAB OVER. Diesel, six speed, 28’ ramp bed, 10,000Ib wench, good tires, hauls two vehi- cles, $7500.00 or best offer/trade. Please call 828-289-5785. REDUCED: 2006 PONTIAC G6. White, four door, gray interior, 62k miles, excellent condition, $6500. Please call 828-245-1674 or 828-289-5467. 1979 El CAMINO, 76k original miles, 267 V8, some rust mostly surface. New exhaust, runs good, $2500 or best offer. 828-247- 4899. GET REAL!!! JOIN US! GET REAL!!! JOIN US! The REAL class is a must for G.A.T.E. clients who are interested in creating and man- aging a small business. It is an exciting and challenging class that can help prepare you for success. Through active participation, participants develop entrepreneurial traits, knowledge, and skills as they are guided through the process of planning, cre- ating and operating small businesses of their own design. It is a great opportunity to network and talk with others who are excited about their idea for a business. i must for G A TE clients who are interested in creatin ht h G.A.T.E. is a new program designed to give dislocated workers an opportunity to own their own small business. But, even if you don’t qualify for G.A.T.E., the Small Business Center at Isothermal Community College can help you in becoming a small business owner. We have a G.A.T.E. orientation the fi rst Wednesday of each month. March 2nd REAL CLASS Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning REAL CLASS Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning at 9:00am is our next orientation in the Willow Room in the Foundation Building on the Isothermal Community College campus. Call Faye Bishop or Ted Hamrick at the Small Business Center for more details. 828-286-3636 Ext. 390 ©Rutherford Weekly ©Community First Media Community First Media Fertilizer & lime! Trade Ins Welcome! Trade Ins Welcome! OVERSTOCKED!

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