Our 33rd Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers ISSUE NO. 19 • May 8, 2025 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
100 years old, Mrs. DeBrule shares longevity secrets devotional books. She reads her Bible every Mrs. Dot DeBrule sat in a recliner in her day and her favorite verse is, “Just taste and room at Fair Haven Forest City and shared a see that the Lord is good”. Psalms 34:8. She reads other books friends bring her, few life stories. On Thursday, May 8, the perky, ever smiling, “without bad words” she was quick to say. When the couple’s children were young, kind and funny Mrs. DeBrule celebrates her 100th birthday. Friends and family will come “we took them different places,” she said. They went to Washington, DC, traveled to the by for cake and best wishes. Arriving in her room, one of the first things mountains and the beach. “Mountains are my she says is she needs hearing aids and is favorite.” Looking back over her life, Mrs. DeBrule legally blind in one eye. She uses oxygen but said although she lived during the Great other than that, no one would Depression, “It didn’t seem imagine her to be 100 years too bad. We gardened for old. There were no complaints. our food and killed pigs” for Mrs. DeBrule smiles a lot meat. She remembers being and is glad to be celebrating sad when President John another birthday. Kennedy was killed in 1963. A Rutherford County Raised in the First native, she and husband Wesleyan Church, she and Dever DeBrule were married her husband were regular not long after graduating from church-goers. Her favorite Cool Springs High School. song is, “Oh, for a Thousand He was a World War II Tongues to sing.” veteran and was overseas She also enjoyed going to when their first child was the movies and her favorite born, said Mrs. DeBrule. They was “Gone With The Wind.” have two children, Teresa “The Secret Storm” was her Gunther of Florida and a favorite soap opera. Today son Larry DeBrule who lives she only watches the news in Alabama. There are four and Jeopardy. Mrs. Dot DeBrule at home at grandchildren. Mrs. DeBrule loves dark Fair Haven in Forest City. After the couple was chocolate and her favorite married, Mrs. DeBrule vegetables are cauliflower, became a homemaker and he began a textile career. She joined the Home Demonstration carrots and collards. She drinks tea, coffee Club in Rutherford County. After moving to and she drinks some water if it is “cool.” Although she’s also had a heart attack, has Siler City some years later, she became part a pacemaker and has had blood clots, but of the Home Demonstration Club there and says she’s blessed. continued with projects and classes. “I believe it was the Lord’s will for me to In Rutherford County she volunteered at Rutherford Hospital as a Pink Lady where she come over here. I wouldn’t be here without spent many hours with patients bringing them Fair Haven” she said. CNA Barbara Hamilton walked in the cheer. She spent her working career as a room and suggested, “If you are going to get payroll clerk with BC Moore’s in the Carolinas. The couple returned home to Rutherford your picture taken, you might want to get the County 69 years ago after living in several curlers out of your hair.” Linda Hardin, a sister-in-law, who visits areas due to Mr. DeBrule’s work. He passed often and helps care for Mrs. DeBrule, away when he was 94. Mrs. DeBrule was 92 years old when she suggested that would be a good idea. Mrs. DeBrule began taking the six curlers fell at home and broke her neck. Doctors first from her hair and after brushing her hair, said told Mrs. DeBrule, due to her age and health, they couldn’t do surgery. But when they she was ready. Around her neck Mrs. DeBrule wears a began to evaluate her situation, they found there was no reason not to operate. She had silver necklace with a cross, a gift from her the surgery and eight years later is doing well son. It’s a treasure and a reminder of her faith. Mrs. DeBrule added another reason at Fair Haven. she has lived to be 100 is following God’s When asked the reason for her longevity, she said “Trying to eat right, never smoked, commandment to “Honor Your Father and Mother.” no drinking.” That’s a good thing, she said. On her bed was a large Bible and other
The new temporary bridge site being built to access Chimney Rock State Park.
Temporary bridge under construction; Lake Lure restaurants are open A temporary bridge is under construction by the North Carolina Department of Transportation for access to Chimney Rock Park. Weather permitting, the Park will be open in the summer of 2025. A permanent bridge will be erected where the Old Rock Cafe’ was located to the right of the former bridge that washed away with Hurricane Helene that brought devastation to Chimney Rock Village seven months ago. Construction and clean up is ongoing in the Village and toward Bat Cave, as evidenced by the photos taken recently along Highway 64/74 through the Village. Chimney Rock Village Council is extending the Check Point Entry and travel restrictions to May 31. Access requires a pass, but the Village is buzzing with excitement as huge strides are being made in renovating the downtown business district and restoring the water and sewer systems. Lake Lure’s restaurants are open and welcome your business. Article & Photos Provided By: Jean Gordon
The former bridge location to access Chimney Rock State Park. The sign reads “Wishing you a season filled with peace. Can’t wait to see you again.”
Gale’s Chimney Rock Shop is now temporarily located at WNC Main Street at Tryon International Equestrian Center. Several businesses from Chimney Rock are temporarily located in the International Pavilion (2nd Floor) while recovery and rebuilding efforts continue. Open Wed.-Thurs., Sun. 10am-4pm, Fri. & Sat. 10am-7pm
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Article By: Jean Gordon