Rutherford Weekly

Thursday, November 16-November 22, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 9 Email: Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail or Drop-Off: Mail or Drop-Off: 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 *Publisher has fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. We Want Your Kids Sports Photos! •Basketball •Baseball •Softball •Soccer •Archery •Equestrian •Etc! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Sportsman's Corner Sportsman's Corner Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail: 157 W Main St., Forest City, NC 28043 Phone: 828-248-1408 *Publisher has the fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. The USDA Forest Service Grandfather Ranger District and partners at the G5 Trail Collective will open the newly constructed Meadows Loop Trail Sunday, November 19, 2023. The trail will open at noon with a short celebration as part of G5 Trail Collective's Old Fort Volunteer Trail Work Weekend. The Meadows Loop is a 1-mile, ADA-accessible, hike-only trail that is located adjacent to the new Old Fort Gateway Trailhead, a 100- car parking area that opened as part of the fi rst phase of improvements in June 2022. The hiking and wheelchair accessible trail provides a true beginner-friendly experience along a wide- gravel surface along Curtis Creek. "The Meadows Loop allows visitors to access Curtis Creek for fi shing and swimming, traverse through a wetland on a series of boardwalks, and walk alongside a meadow for bird watching and wildlife viewing," says Lisa Jennings, Recreation Manager for the U.S. Forest Service Grandfather Ranger District. "We are excited to provide such a unique and accessible experience on the Pisgah National Forest." The Meadows Loop trail is funded by McDowell County as part of a grant from the North Carolina Water Resources Program. The trail, including two bridges and two boardwalks, was constructed under the leadership of the G5 Trail Collective over the past year. Support from Athletic Brewing's Two for the Trails program, FOX's Trail Trust, and Carolina CAT additionally supported the work through funding staff time and equipment. "The Meadows Loop trail project was truly a community build," explains Jason McDougald, executive director of Camp Grier and its G5 Trail Collective. "Our trail specialist, Jon Lane, led crews from many organizations, including local G5 volunteers and staff, the Forest Service Grandfather District trail crew, Foothills Local Meats, Ground to Crown Tree Care, Landmark Project, Made by Mountains, students from McDowell Tech Community College, and Youth Conservation Crew members from Conservation Corps NC. The product is a beautiful trail experience that we can all be proud of building together." The trail opening is the fi rst phase of a larger project to restore the rare bottomland hardwood forest and provide educational opportunities. The fi nal phases of the project will include additional invasive species treatments, wetland enhancement, native plantings, and streambank stabilization to help provide sustainable access to fi shing along Curtis Creek. All improvements are set to be complete by mid-2024. A formal ribbon cutting celebrating completion of the project will be held in summer 2024. The Grandfather District and G5 Trail Collective invite the community to join the Old Fort Volunteer Trail Work Weekend on Sunday morning to complete the fi nishing touches together, followed by an opening celebration from noon to 12:30pm. After the opening, the trail portions will be open for everyone to enjoy while the remaining phases are completed. For more information and to RSVP to the Old Fort Trail Work Weekend visit: www.g5trailcollective.org/ volunteer. North Carolina is home to four national forests: Croatan, Uwharrie, Pisgah, and Nantahala National Forests. These forests are located in all three regions of North Carolina, providing visitors with unique landscapes. Terrain varies from rugged mountains to gentle rolling hills, to sandy beaches, with ample recreation opportunities. More information is available at www.fs.usda.gov/ nfsnc. Article Provided By: National Forests in North Carolina The new Meadows Loop trail at the Old Fort Gateway Trail System is a gravel-surfaced accessible 1-mile loop with wooden bridges and boardwalks. Photo credits: USDA Forest Service Wheelchair Accessible Meadows Loop Trail to open November 19 in Old Fort A few years ago, I bought a really nice and comfortable lock-on stand along with an expensive ladder climbing system to go along with it. I had been hunting the Midwest for years before that and was always fi ghting comfort because I stayed in the stand for hours. I fi gured if I was going to sit for hours, I need to be able to sit as comfortably as possible. I made the right call. During that time, or maybe even before that, I begin to have the same ideas about those things that I spend the most time in at home. I thought, while there are plenty of places to go inexpensive and generic, the places I spend the most time ought to be as comfortable as possible. And if there is ever a reason to spend more money on any item, it ought to be for the places and things where I spend the most time. My list is fairly small because there's only so much time in each day. So, here ya go. I spend about 6 hours each day in bed. I want a good bed that allows me to wake up without aches and pains. My family and I sit in our living room and watch TV, or just talk. After a day of work, I want a couch and recliner that feels like I'm home. A lawnmower. Yes, a lawnmower. I calculated that I mow my grass 8 months out the year. I don't need something that breaks down in a few months or even a few years. My offi ce chair is a must. I spend hours in it each day; probably more than I do anywhere else besides my bed. My truck. I travel a lot. I'm 6'2" tall. I don't like cars. I like the seat in my truck to feel like my recliner (Thank you, Toyota, for getting that done.) Frosted Flakes. Never, I mean NEVER think that any generic fl akey cereal is going to taste like the real thing. And last of all. Eternity. I'm going to spend a long time there. By By Gary Miller Gary Miller Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ GARY MILLER Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written fi ve books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men's events for churches and associations. gary@outdoortruths.org Rutherford Weekly Sudoku Rutherford Weekly Sudoku Answers The Sandy Run Baptist Association in Forest City is looking for volunteers to assist with Operation Christmas Child work. Volunteers are needed Thursday, Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Friday, November 17 from 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 19 and Nov. 20 from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. On Monday, Nov. 20, the shoeboxes will be loaded onto a truck headed to the processing center in Charlotte. The Association offi ce needs help to transport and load the boxes onto the truck. Contact Evelyn Lane at 828-245-2613 for more information and to schedule a time to help. Volunteers needed for Operation Christmas Child in Forest City Article Provided By: Jean Gordon Ads Work! Ads Work!

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