Rutherford Weekly

Page 2 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, July 6-July 12, 2017 6JCPMUVQVJGDGUVICUVTQGPVGTQNQI[ECTGKPVJGTGIKQP&CXKFECPMGGROCMKPIDKIRNC[UQPCPFQHHVJGƂGNF #PFKH[QWTEJKNFGXGTPGGFUGZEGRVKQPCNECTGENQUGVQJQOG.GXKPG%JKNFTGPoU*QURKVCNYKNNDGVJGTGHQTVJGOVQQ%QPUKUVGPVN[PCOGFQPGQHVJGPCVKQPoUVQREJKNFTGPoU JQURKVCNUYGQHHGTGZRGTVECTGKPOQTGVJCPURGEKCNVKGUHTQOICUVTQGPVGTQNQI[VQECPEGTsCNNKPCHCOKN[HTKGPFN[GPXKTQPOGPVVJCVNGVU[QWTMKFDGCMKF1WTFGFKECVGF FQEVQTUCTGGXGPGODGFFGFCV%CTQNKPCU*GCNVJ%CTG5[UVGO%NGXGNCPFUQ[QWIGVVJGDGUVEJKNFTGPoUECTGYKVJQWVGXGTNGCXKPI[QWTEQOOWPKV[ He's the best Meet David, and connect with our top-rated specialists, at LevineChildrensHospital.org/Best We're the best at gastroenterology. David, 9, Liver Transplant ©Community First Media Community First Media Dancin' Stars Studio 589 S. Main Street • Rutherfordton, NC 589 S. Main Street • Rutherfordton, NC 828-287-4449 828-287-4449 www.dancinstarsstudio.com www.dancinstarsstudio.com Find us on Facebook! Now Registering for Summer Clinics! Now Registering for Summer Clinics! July 17-21 Ballet Week July 24-28 Hip Hop Week 2 August 14-18 Tap Week August 21-25 Tap/ Jazz Week Call for more information and class schedules! $50 per week! Buy 2 weeks, Buy 2 weeks, get 1 FREE! get 1 FREE! ROSS WINDOWS THE BEST FOR LESS! CALL TODAY 828-437-4848 FOR ESTIMATE ASK ABOUT FREE LOW-E-GLASS AND ARGON GAS • ANY SIZE • WHITE • DOUBLE HUNG • DOUBLE PANE • FULLY WELDED LIFETIME WARRANTY ©Community First Media Community First Media "up to 101 u.i." *Additional Charges May Apply New Year Special $ 179. 00 Installed The only Bechtler rifl e known to exist, crafted in the 1800s, has returned home to Rutherfordton, North Carolina and is going on public display in the Bechtler House beginning July 13, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. In addition, a complete set of three Bechtler coins – the one- dollar, two and a half-dollar, and fi ve dollar denominations – are on loan to The Bechtler House by the Town of Rutherfordton and will also go on public display at the house. To celebrate the debut of the rifl e and coin display, the public is invited to an open house on July 13, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Guests attending the drop-in style event can enjoy a self-guided tour of the home, which includes seeing the rifl e and coin display, as well as light refreshments. Information about the Bechtler legacy, merchandise and volunteer opportunities will also be available. The Rutherford County Tourism Asset Foundation (TAF), which oversees the continuation of the Bechtler legacy, worked with William Ivey, a specialist on North Carolina fi rearms to determine the authenticity of the rifl e. Ivey confi rmed that the 50-caliber, double- barrel rifl e is the only known surviving Bechtler rifl e. TAF was able to purchase the Bechtler rifl e thanks to a generous donation from Stonecutter Foundation. Christopher Bechtler began his jewelry and watch- making career in Germany, and then brought his expertise to America in the 1830s where, along with his two sons and nephew, they immersed themselves in the world of gold. The Bechtlers built the 1838 Bechtler House on West 6th Street in downtown Rutherfordton. The home is currently open to the public for tours. It features additional artifacts and displays about Bechtler's legacy including Bechtler's original coin press and his 1840s square grand piano. Bechtler also established a mint site in town where he minted over $2.24 million in gold, including the nation's fi rst one-dollar gold coin. In addition to jewelry and currency, Bechtler was also an accomplished gunsmith. The rifl e, which displays the name of Bechtler's son and protégé, "Augustus Bechtler," on the stock, and "N Carolina" in gold inlay on the top section, is a wonderful continuation of the Bechtler story. "The basic mission of the Tourism Asset Foundation is to build and promote new tourism drivers. My hope is that this rifl e, along with the coins, piano, press, mint and other displays, will draw a diverse group of visitors, driven here by their desire to see real, tangible assets, that bring to life this county's vibrant and impressive history," said TAF Board Member & Treasurer Russell Wicker. The Bechtler House is open for tours Fridays from 10am–1pm and Saturdays from 10am–3pm and by appointment Monday thru Thursday. To learn about the Bechtler Legacy, visit www.visitncgold.com, email info@visitncgold.com, or call 828-286-9977. To learn more about TAF, visit www. t o u r i s m a s s e t fo u n d a t i o n . weebly.com. Bechtler Rifl e and Bechtler Coins Are Going on Permanent Display in Rutherfordton this Summer Open house held at The Bechtler House July 13 at 5:30pm Article Provided By: Michelle McConnell Yelton The only Bechtler rifl e known to exist is going on public, permanent display starting July 13, 2017.

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