Rutherford Weekly

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH ©Community First Media Community First Media 720 S CHURCH STREET, FOREST CITY Mon-Fri 9am-9pm; Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 1-6pm 828-245-7274 HWY. 221A CAROLEEN Mon-Fri 9am-7pm • Sat 9am-2pm 828-657-5353 Locally Owned and Operated TALK WITH HARDIN'S DRUG PHARMACIST ABOUT A PLAN THAT BEST FITS YOU -APPOINTMENTS ENCOURAGED M E D I C A R E PA R T D M E D I C A R E PA R T D OPEN ENROLLMENT IS OPEN ENROLLMENT IS OCTOBER 15-DECEMBER 7 OCTOBER 15-DECEMBER 7 DO NOT BE MISLED BY ANY LETTER YOU MAY RECEIVE. BRING YOUR LETTER AND TALK WITH US. SE RVI NG PATI E NTS SE RVI NG PATI E NTS WI LL WI LL ALWAYS ALWAYS BE BE OU R GOAL OU R GOAL OUR 25 th YEAR • ISSUE NO. 43 • OCTOBER 26, 2017 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 719 S. Broadway, Forest City Right off Exit 182 from US74 ©Community First Media Community First Media Vaping Supplies Vaping Supplies Skateboards Skateboards Mon-Tues 11am-6pm Extended Hours Wed-Sat 11am-7pm 25% OFF LOCAL ARTWORK THIS WEEK! Complimentary Complimentary "Don't forget your coat!" is a phrase many of us remember our mother shouting as we ran out the door on our way to school on chilly mornings. A nice warm coat, she believed, would shield her children from the cold much like her own warm embrace. It was their armor against the forces of nature. Most days, it was the end of a morning routine enabling her to rest easy knowing her child would be protected until they reached warm classrooms. Try, for a moment, to imagine how difficult it must be for the mother who cannot say that. Unfortunately, and for a variety of reasons, many children in our community don't have warm coats. Fortunately, and also for a variety of reasons, many of us have more than we need. One mother in particular, Pat Parker, was known to be concerned about those in our community whose misfortune left them cold and in need. A coat drive, in honor of her memory, "Keep Rutherford County Warm" has been established to combat that need. Regina Arrowood, event organizer and daughter of Pat Parker, tells us, "We lost our mother a few years ago. She was always thinking about people in need and how she could help. We organized this event in memory of her, with the hope of helping Rutherford County families in need." Regina continues, "I was a social worker for most of my career. My mother was an inspiration to me- she was the first unofficial social worker that I had the pleasure of meeting. She prepared me more for the 'art of caring' than any college degree. She was always full of wonderful ideas - I deeply miss our chats. It has been therapeutic for me and my family organizing this coat drive in honor of our mother. So many people have contacted us to share how much our mother helped them in times of need. She was definitely an "unseen" hero in her community." Pat and Ronnie Parker were married over 47 years before her passing and had three children. Regina currently resides in Catawba County while Angie Parker Freeman, Marvin Parker, and his son Eric, reside in Rutherford County. "My mother came from a large family, with 7 brothers and sisters. Her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews are helping us with the coat drive also. Reid and Louise Arrowood were her parents." Donations of new and gently used coats and outerwear for children and adults will be accepted at the Spindale House in Spindale on November 11, and at the Woodrow Jones Building in Rutherfordton on November 25. Both drives will be held from 10am until 2pm. There are also other various drop-off sites throughout the county during the month of November. The sites include the Lake Lure Police Department, the Forest City Police Department, Randall's Ellenboro Restaurant, Rutherfordton Police Department and the Rutherford Weekly office. The donated coats and outerwear will be distributed to schools, day cares, and shelters in Rutherford County. For more information, contact Arrowood at 828-464- 2489. Family Honors Mother's Memory with "Keep Rutherford County Warm" Coat Drive Article By: Cathy Alexander Photos provided by Regina Arrowood Article By: Cathy Alexander Photos provided by Regina Arrowood "My mother didn't have a shy bone "My mother didn't have a shy bone in her body. She never met a stranger in her body. She never met a stranger and remembered everyone's name. and remembered everyone's name. She was at her happiest when she She was at her happiest when she was doing for other people." was doing for other people." - Regina Arrowood - Regina Arrowood Pat Parker in 2004. Pat Parker in 2004. Crystal Nodine Street, Pat's niece, Crystal Nodine Street, Pat's niece, making banners. making banners. Great nieces and nephews helping with the Great nieces and nephews helping with the donation boxes. donation boxes. From left to right - Katelyn Pressley, Jude From left to right - Katelyn Pressley, Jude Street, Hope Owens, and Chloe Vinci. Street, Hope Owens, and Chloe Vinci. Pat Parker at 14 years of age. Pat Parker at 14 years of age. Janie Shires Owens, Pat's niece, Janie Shires Owens, Pat's niece, making banners. making banners.

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