Rutherford Weekly

©Community First Media Community First Media 720 S Church St., Forest City • 828-245-7274 720 S Church St., Forest City • 828-245-7274 Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-6pm Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-6pm LOCATED INSIDE 20% OFF All knives and accessories Men's shirts • METAL EARTH Collegiate fl ags and statues Fishing-hunting decor 30% off CASE only RETIRED knives 50% off GUY HARVEY DECOR THUR-FRI-SAT-SUN JUNE 14-15-16-17 SMALL TOWN FRIENDLY, BIG TIME RESULTS Complimentary Complimentary ISSUE NO. 24 JUNE 14, 2018 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 OUR 26 TH YEAR RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S FAVORITE NEWSPAPER RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S FAVORITE NEWSPAPER "All The Shingle Ladies" The Women Roofers Article By: Cathy Alexander, Rutherford Weekly Article By: Cathy Alexander, Rutherford Weekly By now, most everyone in the county has heard about The Women Roofers -- those exceptional women that have gained notoriety for providing urgently needed repairs to the homes of qualified homeowners in the county. They help with a lot of projects, but mostly, they replace leaky roofs. They've been doing it for 15 years and they've received a good bit of publicity for their good work. They're kind of 'famous' around here. Recently, Mike Rowe found out about The Women Roofers. Widely known for his TV show 'Dirty Jobs', Mike and his crew came and paid a visit to the 'Shingle Ladies' as he called them. The ladies were initially told there would be a film crew present on 'roof' day back in February, supposedly making a documentary, but when one of the ladies recognized Mike Rowe, they started wondering what was really going on. Was Mike Rowe going to get up on the roof and help them? Was this a 'Dirty Jobs' episode? Little did they know, a lot of sneaking-around had been going on behind their backs, and it wasn't until late in the day that they learned the real reason for his visit. To put everything in perspective, it helps to know that back in August of last year, Mike Rowe started producing a series for Facebook Watch called 'Returning the Favor' in which he finds people doing good deeds and does something for them in return. Who knew? Since it's a relatively new project for Mike, none of the ladies had heard about it. Well, who else deserves this more than our own 'shingle ladies'. The video, if you haven't seen it, can be found at www.facebook. com/ReturningTheFavor. It's a very entertaining 26 minute program describing, in great detail, how they 'tricked' the women and ends climatically with a huge surprise for the Women Roofers. Along with a $15.000.00 line of credit at Henson's and another $30,000.00 pledge of materials and support from GAF, Mike also gifted The Women Roofers with an all-expense paid vacation to Hawaii. After 15 years and 114 roofs, Mike Rowe decided the Women Roofers deserved a vacation -- a really nice relaxing tropical vacation. Watching that video, and the follow-up live 'Returning the Favor Effects', (both videos can be found at www.facebook. com/Women-Roofers) The Women Roofers, Rutherford Housing Partnership and their beloved mentor, Rev. Billy Honeycutt are all exposed as the long time do-gooders with great big hearts and a deep love for one another, that have worked hard in all types of weather and in many areas around the south, giving of themselves to provide a safe and healthy home for those in need. They are incredible women. We have learned who they are as a collective, but who are they as individuals? They are retired educators, nurses, business owners, and managers. They are our neighbors and some of them are 'of a certain age'. They objected to Mike Rowe referring to them as 'elderly', but the truth is, with the exception of one, they are in their 50's, 60's and even 70's. That alone is merit enough for praise. Since their birth in 2002, when only women volunteers showed up to repair a roof with Rev. Honeycutt, there have been many women (and men) climbing those ladders. Many have been inspired to help throughout the years, but the core group of The Women Roofers consists of 12 individuals. The Rutherford Weekly would like to tell you a little more about them - as individuals. There are many others, men and women, that have gotten up on those roofs. Some older and some younger, some students and some from outside the county... too many to feature here, but inspired by the good work of these twelve women and Rev. Honeycutt. They too, deserve our respect and gratitude. They are the future of The Women Roofers. What has been born here is a testimony to the human spirit... the desire to help others outweighing their own fears and is inspiration to all of us. They are the living breathing proof of what is 'right' in this world where despair is too often prevalent. If you'd like information about how to be part this incredible journey by volunteering or donating, please contact Nell Perry Bovender, Rutherford Housing Partnership at 828- 248-3431 or www.RutherfordHousingPartnership.com. O b i t u a r i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 - 1 7 Community News...............................6 Business & Services Directory.............10 Church Happenings..........................15 Spor ts by Kevin Carver.........................8 Classified Ads...............................3-19 Outdoor Truths...................................8 Rutherford County Weather................6 "These ladies show that gender "These ladies show that gender doesn't determine who can do a doesn't determine who can do a job. The willingness of each one of them to try something they of them to try something they never dreamed of shows what never dreamed of shows what determination can produce. determination can produce. Some of them had to overcome Some of them had to overcome a fear of heights, but once they a fear of heights, but once they faced that fear, they can't be faced that fear, they can't be stopped. It is a blessing to stopped. It is a blessing to share hard work, satisfaction share hard work, satisfaction of a job well done and the of a job well done and the appreciation of a home owner appreciation of a home owner when a roof is completed. when a roof is completed. I am thankful for each of them." I am thankful for each of them." - Billy Honeycutt - Billy Honeycutt Women Roofer Jane Women Roofer Jane Williams with Mike Rowe Williams with Mike Rowe Meet Some of the Women Roofers... Meet Lori Herrick Meet Lori Herrick Lori and her husband, Alan, have one son, Scott, who is currently a student at WCU. Residing in Rutherfordton, Lori is one of the founding members of the group. "I was on the first roof. After that day, I decided a group of women could do this, so we started recruiting women to roof. I can't imagine not roofing. It is fun to work hard and at the end of the day, somebody's life is made better." said Lori. "My greatest joy has been the relationships that have been formed with other roofers and meeting the people who we have helped." On how she reacted to the big reveal, "I was so surprised! I really had no idea and then when the barn door opened all I could think about was the Henson guys hauled ALL those supplies to the barn and would have to take it ALL back to Henson's. And there were six pallets of shingles!" When asked what advice she would share with someone who is considering doing something similar, Lori replied, "I would tell anyone, sometimes going out of your comfort zone to meet a need is the best way to learn a new skill. We were fortunate to have a teacher who believed we could roof houses so we never thought we couldn't. Part of the fun is getting a group of women together to do this," said group organizer Lori Herrick. "But if we can help draw attention to the huge need for housing repair in this county, then that makes it all worthwhile." Meet more of the Women Roofers on page 14. Meet Susie Kernodle Meet Susie Kernodle Susie, (pictured center) and her husband of 50 years, Mike, also reside in Rutherfordton. They have 3 adult children and 'bunches' of foster children. Like Lori, Susie was on that first roof years ago. When asked why she does it and how it makes her feel, Susie replied, "It is something I can do to be of help to others. There is a wonderful feeling in knowing that your home and family is safe and secure from the elements. The joy and relief expressed by the homeowner, for a roof that no longer leaks, and the confidence gained by my fellow roofers in knowing we have succeeded in making something of value happen." We asked Susie how she reacted when learned there was a surprise. "Total disbelief! And then, the knowledge that Rutherford County is truly the benefactor. The county, through Rutherford Housing Partnership, has been gifted with the funds to fix at least three years of roofs. What a blessing." Susie's advice? "You can do anything with the right people to guide and support you." Sunday, Sunday, June 17, 2018 June 17, 2018

• Cover