Rutherford Weekly

Page 16 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, April 14-April 20, 2022 293 S Broadway St., Forest City 828-245-0434 Monday & Tuesday 8AM-5PM Thursday & Friday 8AM-5PM Sat. 8AM-12PM • Closed Wed. Not Just Oil, Pennzoil FAST FAST FAST FAST WAY WAY WAY WAY LET US DO YOUR DIRTY WORK! KIDS' CORNER BROUGHT TO YOU BY: On March 30, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina and the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation closed on the purchase of 2,249 acres in McDowell County to become part of Bobs Creek State Natural Area. This purchase is the last of three acquisitions for the new state natural area, and increases its total size to more than 6,000 acres. The fi rst two phases of the project, about 3,700 acres, were purchased in 2019. The land's former owner, conservationist Tim Sweeney, donated approximately one- third of the property's value in the sale. Once it is open to the public, the state natural area will be managed by the NC Division of Parks and Recreation for passive (low- impact) recreation, water quality protection of numerous streams in the Broad and Catawba river basins and preservation of rare plants and diverse natural ecosystems documented by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. Future passive recreation opportunities could include hiking, mountain biking, wildlife observation and scenic enjoyment. The Bobs Creek State Natural Area protects water quality along fi ve miles of source streams that drain to Muddy Creek, the Catawba River and the Second Broad River through an extensive network of riparian buffers on the property. The Muddy Creek watershed is one of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's priorities for stream and water quality improvement. "We are so grateful for the opportunity to protect these extraordinary lands of the foothills for generations to come," said Dwayne Patterson, director of the NC Division of Parks and Recreation. "Our conservation partner at Foothills Conservancy of NC and the foresight and generosity of Mr. Sweeney have allowed us to continue to make great strides in protecting some of our state's most sensitive and outstanding natural resources. We are grateful that they continue to entrust the long-term stewardship of these lands to us." "The phased purchase of Bobs Creek State Natural Area over a four- year period of time demonstrates both perseverance and strong partnership by all parties involved in the permanent conservation of this incredible natural landscape, which will offer public benefi t in the form of landscape scale open space protection for future public recreation," said Foothills Conservancy's executive director, Andrew Kota. Funding for the third phase of the project included grants of $1.2 million from North Carolina Land and Water Fund; $1,518,399 in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund monies provided by the NC Division of Parks and Recreation; and grants from Fred and Alice Stanback and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. "Our partnership is grateful to the N.C. General Assembly for passing legislation in 2017, and to Governor Cooper for signing the bill to authorize Bobs Creek State Natural Area," added Kota. We are also grateful for conservationist Tim Sweeney and his effort to secure the land and patiently own it while Foothills Conservancy and N.C. State Parks raised the funds to purchase the property at a discounted price for public ownership. There are also many other public and private funders to thank for making the three transactions possible, including conservationists Fred and Alice Stanback, The Cannon Foundation, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and several grants from NC Land and Water Fund and federal Land and Water Conservation Fund programs." Foothills Conservancy of NC is a nationally accredited regional land trust that inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefi t of people and all living things. A 501(c)(3) nonprofi t, Foothills Conservancy has conserved more than 64,000 acres in an 8 county service area: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford, in three river basins: Broad, Catawba and Yadkin. Info about Foothills Conservancy can be found at www.foothillsconservancy. org or call 828-437-9930. North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation manages more than 252,000 acres of iconic landscape within North Carolina's state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas. It administers the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and more, all with a mission dedicated to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomes more than 22 million visitors annually. Acquisition completed for Bobs Creek State Natural Area by Foothills Conservancy of NC & NC Division of Parks & Rec Article Provided By: Grayson Barnette DEADLINE FOR COMMUNITY DEADLINE FOR COMMUNITY CALENDAR MONDAYS: 10AM CALENDAR MONDAYS: 10AM April 16 What: Easter Egg Hunt When: April 16; 11AM Where: Gilkey School Community Center; 172 Gilkey School Rd., Rutherfordton More Info: Egg Hunt for kids 12 and under. What: Free Food Giveaway When: Saturday, April 16; 8-10am Where: Caroleen Congregation Holiness Church, 112 Walker Store Road, Ellenboro More Info: Please stay in your car. Come to the lower parking lot and we will bring the box to your car. What: Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt When: April 16; 11am-2pm Where: Mary B. Mullen Bible Camp, Lake Lure More Info: In case of inclem- ent weather, event canceled. Activities: balloon stomp, egg toss, sack races, egg roll, corn toss, bingo, basketball, horse- shoes, spoon relay, chair vol- leyball for seniors, prizes, refreshments. Parents/guardians required to stay with kids at all times. April 19 What: Addiction Support Group When: April 19, 6pm Where: Highland Apartments; 171 Butler Road, Forest City. More Info: Rena: 828-305- 1280. April 30 What: Spindale Elementary P.T.O. Car Show When: April 30; 9am-2pm Where: Spindale Elementary, 161 N. Oak St., Spindale. More Info: Cars, trucks, motor- cycles. Registration $20. Prizes, awards, food, music, raffles. Info: 828-286-2862 or Johnnie 828-429-7500. Rain date: 5/7/22. May 7 What: Ellenboro Annual Town Wide Yard Sale When: May 7; 7AM-1PM Where: Depot Street and Business Highway 74. Don't block driveways or business entrances. More Info: Rita, Ellenboro Woman's Club 828-429-2467. Professional vendors must receive advance approval. No table fee for family or individ- uals. Email your community happening to: events@rutherfordweekly.com

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