RUTHERFORD COUNTY’S POSITIVE MEDIA SOURCE!
WEEKLY NEWSPAPER Our 33rd Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers ISSUE NO. 30 • July 24, 2025 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
School supplies are confidence builders Article by Jean Gordon.
Rutherford County’s traditional public school students begin the 202526 school year on Monday, August 11. Already in session are students at Forest City Dunbar Elementary School, the county’s only year-round school. Students attending Lake Lure Classical Academy also begin on August 11 and Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy students begin August 13. Private schools and homeschooled students have varying schedules, but everything is true for every student — school supplies are needed for every grade beginning with kindergarten to
the senior year of high school. To help families, guardians, foster parents with school supplies, and even dental check-ups for children and young people, several groups and organizations are partnering to make life a bit easier by hosting back-toschool events. Supplies are continued to be collected for the two separate school supply drives on Saturday, August 2 at POPS in Forest City, and on Thursday, August 7 at the Spindale House. Volunteers, supplies and donations are needed and appreciated for these events. SPINDALE HOUSE, AUGUST 7 Serene Haven Apartments in Spindale is teaming up with Pure Country Radio 100.9, Rutherfordton and the Spindale House for this year’s Back to School Lunchbox Drive on Thursday August 7 from 3 to 6pm on the lawn of the Spindale House. According to Tia Scruggs, executive director at Serene Haven,
Bailey Marie - 5:30 PM
Don’t miss this Farewell Tour Performance!!
Scotty Hasting - 6:45 PM John Michael Montgomery - 8:30 PM
Au ugust 9, 2025 Uptown Shelby • 5:30PM-10PM Uptow
John Michael Montgomery
the “lunchbox drive” is so much more than donating a lunchbox for students to carry snacks or even lunch to school each day. (Rutherford County Schools provide free breakfast and lunch.) It’s about building confidence. “Hundreds of Lining up for a free backpack at the 2024 Back to School Bash in Forest City. local children in Rutherford Pavilion Square, Forest City) provide information and other County are heading back students and families are supplies. to school, and we want to invited to the third annual To receive a backpack make sure each of them has Countywide Back 2 School with age-appropriate school a lunchbox that makes them Bash, in partnership with the supplies in each bag, students feel proud and prepared,” said Town of Forest City Movement and families will need to stop Scruggs. Fest (second year). Anyone at the registration tables upon In addition to a colorful and everyone needing school entering POPS, complete their lunch box, children will have supplies and other materials is scavenger hunt card and return an opportunity to receive a encouraged to attend. it for a backpack. Completing haircut, dental check-up, bike the scavenger hunt cards helmets, safety information them to the various “Spread the word, spread d gets and school supplies. tables from each category. the kindness—and “We’re calling on our “This year we are amazing community to excited to welcome back let’s make this school donate new lunchboxes for our vendors and want to year unforgettable for kids of all ages. Bright colors, make sure that vendors fun designs, or classic styles- Rutherford County’s kids,” ” know we have a cap of anything that brings a smile,” 34, so please get your $50 -K Kia Scruggs said Tia. vendor donation in and lock “Every lunchbox you in a spot at this great event,” donate helps a child walk into In 2024, there were 1,050 McDowell added. school a little more confident,” people attending the event and On Friday, August 1, prior to said Scruggs, a statement more than 24 organizations the event, there is a need for repeated by others collecting participated, said Kisha 20-25 volunteers to pack school school supplies this year. McDowell, executive director of supply bags from 4 to 8pm for The drop-off location for the the Grahamtown Team. distribution on Saturday. lunchboxes is through August “We provided more than 700 Volunteers are also needed 6 at Serene Haven Apartments backpacks and we are seeking on Saturday, from 8am to 3pm 144 Steward Street, Spindale donations, sponsors and to help at the bash. (former First Baptist Church, volunteers to help us reach 750 McNair youth needing Spindale). to 800 backpacks distributed volunteer hours to qualify “Spread the word, spread this year,” McDowell said. for future scholarships, are the kindness—and let’s make The event is a widely attended encouraged to volunteer. For this school year unforgettable family event with vendors from information call 828-375-9315. for Rutherford County’s kids,” across Rutherford County who A special thanks to churches said Scruggs. are reaching out to youth and and organizations who have For questions or to get families and inviting them to already sponsored back-toinvolved stop by Serene learn about their organization school supply events. At MawHaven Apartments or call 828- and how they can serve the Maw’s Cheer, supplies are also 380-4766. families of Rutherford County. available for students by calling McDowell said there are 828-289-1475. BACK 2 SCHOOL BASH, eight categories of vendors Receiving needed supplies AUGUST 2 AT POPS On August 2 beginning including school systems, is more than just a backpack, at 10am at POPS (Park on libraries, health care, and social lunchbox or pencils - it’s a services that will be on hand to confidence builder.
August 14-19
2025 Special Guests
Keeter Stadium All Veteran Group Golden Knights THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 Citizens Day Operation Helo Senior Game Times: 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 7:30 PM FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 Stones River Academic Achievement Day Brigade JROTC Game Times: 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM AUGUST 16 T-28 Warbirds SATURDAY, USAA Military Appreciation Day Salute to
Game Times: 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 7:30 PM
Shelby High School SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 Youth Athletic Day
Game Times: 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM
MONDAY, AUGUST 18
Healthcare Appreciation Day Game Times: 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19 Championship Tuesday
General Admission Tickets on sale at www.alws.us • 704.466.3103
Game Time: 7:00 PM