November Newsletter
- Mortellus
- Nov 12
- 10 min read
We'd like to apologize for the belated nature of this month's newsletter and issue of It Doesn't Have to Be This Way, Mortellus, who handles much of operations and is our staff writer and editor, has been out of town speaking in Washington DC, which has delayed our monthly updates significantly.
A Look Back at October
Our RuCo Pride 2026 meeting on October 13th was a joy to attend. Meeting and connecting with other folks in the LGBTQIA+ community here in Rutherford County left us all with smiles on our faces and, I think, a little hope for a more joyful and connected future.
Our Common Ground Rising/No Kings Part II protest was a big success with nearly two hundred plus folks from marginalized communities turning out over the course of the protest to raise their voice in the safe space we created for them in downtown Rutherfordton. We're always so proud of our community pulling together like this, and as usual, headed over to Luna's Pizza afterward for a decompression and planning sesh for public facing actions in the month of October like No Kings and Trick or Treat on Main. We were proud to be included in The Wild Hunt's coverage of No Kings protests, where they noted that combined No Kings protests in cities throughout Rutherford marked our counties largest overall civic demonstration in history.
At least one Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy meeting per month turns out to be a doozy, and this time it was October 16th's meeting of the “Curriculum Committee.” A whole lot of change in the air—enough that the conversation included dialogue about contacting the state about changing the schools charter. Some teachers were present to advocate for themselves since it sounds like it may cost some of them their jobs, and Adrian Finley (High School Latin) was so visibly outraged that they shook as they all but shouted an impassioned speech about the need for Latin classes at a mostly cold and unconcerned committee. Mortellus had barely arrived home before they had an email from a staff member asking that we provide them with our recording of the meeting to use in the fight for their charter, school mission, and perhaps jobs—but unfortunately this little red hen has a long memory, and needs to see some concessions on their end toward justice and accountability before sharing valuable evidence. At time of writing, negotiations and conversations remained positive.
Unfortunately our planning meeting on the 24th was cancelled for illness, so we're hoping lots of you can make it to the meeting on November 14th because we have a LOT to talk about.
Trick or Treat on Main in downtown Rutherfordton was huge! We had someone at the table with a tally counter because we were curious how many folks attended, and we gave candy to 1,114 kids in addition to handing out cards, buttons, and zines.
Hometown Highlights
If you want to be a part of our Interfaith Caucus planning meeting reach out and let us know because we'd like to center as many local voices from as many faith groups in the planning process as possible. Our Interfaith Caucus team is attending a state meeting, and we should have a local visit from the Caucus President, Reverend Paul McCallister, coming down to chat with us about forward progress on our charter.
Book Club was on November 9th at 10AM will be over at the new county library space, which marked the end of the month we spent reading Priya Parker's The Art of Gathering. Mortellus couldn't host this time (they were traveling up to the DC area to give a lecture on how Fascist ideology creeps into religious communities) and we'd like to give a big thanks to Cathy Darnell who held down the fort so to speak in the interim. If you're interested in reading along, our new read is Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next) by Dean Spade, click here for meeting information.
Just A Reminder...
We’ve been keeping an eye lately on an anti-government group called Tactical Civics that has become active locally. If you encounter their flyers, meetings, or recruitment, do not confront people alone, Tactical Civics groups have reportedly been known to encourage escalation. Be sure to document from a safe distance (photo, time, location) and report any incidents to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 828-287-6247, the TIPs line if you prefer to remain anonymous at 828-286-TIPS, or 911 if it’s an immediate threat. We advise you to reach out to the local Rutherford County Library system and letting them know that Tactical Civics is in violation of their meeting policy in the following ways:
Library policy explicitly states that "Publicity for events must contain a statement that the Library is not a sponsor." As is demonstrated in their flyers, no such statement is made.
Library meeting space may not be used for "religious services" or "spiritual meetings" and Tactical Civics advertisements do note that their meetings have a religious component, and organizers have stated that "it all begins with repentance towards God."
Library policy also states that they don't allow meetings that "create risk of harm to any person or persons," yet Tactical Civics uses conspiratorial and violent messaging in their literature. In fact, their handbook states: “Even if the forces of Obamanation and the turncoat element of U.S. military are joined by Communist China or Russia, honorable American forces will join with Militias that will rise up overnight and we will fight to the death for our homes and families—and win—if it comes to that.” with other materials stating "describes the American Civil War as, “the war to enslave the State,s” and accuses public schools of erasing the true history of constitutional law in the U.S." while claiming that the education system has taught American children to revere Abraham Lincoln as "America’s greatest president," who posed "as the liberator of slaves," and created "a powerful new federal government enslaved the formerly sovereign people and states that created it.”
Library policy states that events cannot "private social functions," yet Tactical Civics is a membership only organization that requires membership to participate.
In the meantime, we're gong to be reporting activity to civil-rights groups that track extremist activity, organizing community information sessions, and attempting to organize or lift up community events occurring at the same time as their meetings. Joyful, visible alternatives always reduce the recruitment space for hate.
Blue Business Spotlight
When we're in Forest City we're always excited to pop into Heart of The Foothills Animal Rescue and their Rescued Treasures Thrift Store. They opened back in 2019 when Brother Wolf closed their doors for the last time, and are made up of those same employees, and reorganizing to facilitate grant funding for their work. To date, they've aided over 12oo pets! At Heart of The Foothills, you’ll find: All kinds of unique goodies at the Thrift store, but over at the rescue? They have adoption and fostering programs offering compassionate care for all the creatures of Rutherford County. Why they matter locally:
Western North Carolina boasts the second highest pet euthanasia rates in the country, the local animal shelter even has a night drop box! Groups like Heart of the Foothills make sure those animals get a different end than they might otherwise have had. You can support by dropping in to the thrift store and doing a little shopping, donating any unwanted goods to the thrift store, or donating here. And of course, following and engaging with them on social media. Simple likes, comments, and shares help small businesses grow, and by spreading the word!
Their Deets:
Thrift Store Address: 178 N. Main St, Rutherfordton, NC
Adoption Center Address: 110 East Main Street, Forest City NC 28043
Website: www.heartofthefoothills.org
Phone Number: (828) 229-3065
Community Connections
Just an FYI that daylight savings time is on November 2nd, and although November 4th is election day, Rutherford County doesn't have any elections in 2025. If you're looking to run for office? Be sure to catch the December deadlines, signups open Monday, December 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM and close on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM (Noon)
Rutherford County Commissioners' Meeting
November 3, 2025 | 6:00PM | Commission Chambers, 289 N. Main Street, Rutherfordton
We were tickled to notice the local GOP posting some community content to their calendar, or at least this singular commissioners' meeting. It didn't attribute a location or any further details, but we found over on the county legistar that it ought to be in the usual place.
On the county side, meeting details, and an agenda, are not listed, and a notice didn't go out by email like usual when it went up. We find to be just a little less than transparent.
Rutherford County Board of Elections Meeting
November 4, 2025 | 10:00AM | County Building – 145 College Avenue, Suite C, Rutherfordton
Thomas Jefferson Classial Academy, Finance Meeting
November 4, 2025 | 5:00PM | TJCA High School – 2527 US 221A HWY, Mooresboro
Mortellus always does meeting watch at TJCA.
Ruff'ton Roots Community Garden Meeting
November 4, 2025 | 5:30PM | 128 Hospital Drive, Rutherfordton
Thomas Jefferson Classial Academy, Board of Directors Meeting
November 4, 2025 | 5:45PM | TJCA High School – 2527 US 221A HWY, Mooresboro
Mortellus always does meeting watch at TJCA.
Rutherford County Board of Education Meeting
November 5, 2025 | 5:30PM | Cool Springs Administration Building – Board Room Chambers, 382 West Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043
Rutherfordton Town Hall Meeting
November 5, 2025 | 5:30PM | Town Hall – Council Chambers, 289 N. Main Street, Rutherfordton
Heart of The Foothills Adoption Event
November 8, 2025 | 10AM - 2PM | Isothermal Community College
Books and Better Futures
November 9, 2025 | 10:00AM | County Building – 145 College Avenue, Suite B, Rutherfordton
This month we're discussing Priya Parker's "The Art of Gathering," our next book will be Dean Spade's "Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next)" for our chat on December 7th.
Or just send us a message on Signal to get in on the conversation!
Rutherford County Democratic Party Meeting
November 13, 2025 | 6:30PM | JD Cooley Democratic HQ – 142 West Main Street, Forest City
Mortellus always does meeting watch at the Democratic Party HQ.
Just as an FYI, this months meeting features not one, but two candidates for office, particularly:
Gary Schwartz of Saluda, who is running for NC House District 113.
Doyle Brown of Spindale, who is running for NC Senate District 48.
Now, y’all know Indivisible RuCo keeps it non-partisan (as is required by Indivisible) — we don’t endorse candidates, we just ask them questions the public deserves answers to so we reached out to both Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Brown, and neither responded to our request for comment. It’s always funny when people assume an email from Mortellus at It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way is just a small-town witch with a stapler and a grudge — and not, say, an internationally published author and journalist with press credentials and half the state’s media on speed dial. Let’s just say, silence reads loud when it’s coming from people who claim to represent you.
Indivisible RuCo Planning Meeting
November 14, 2025 | 6:00PM | County Building – 145 College Avenue, Suite B, Rutherfordton
What's On The Agenda?
Planning out November/December actions
Feed the Future Rally, November
The Season of Enough Rally, December
Spindale/Rutherford and Forest City Christmas Parade Chat
Human Rights and Holiday Lights
Caucus Work
Interfaith Caucus Chat
LGBTQ Dems NC Caucus Chat
Continuing the Pride 2026 planning discussion
Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting
November 20, 2025 | 12:00PM | 179 West Main Street, Suite 128, Forest City
This one isn’t open to the public, but here’s a fun fact: the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce doesn’t actually function like an open-membership business collective. Even if you apply and pay the membership fee, you’re not guaranteed a spot. Back in September Indivisible RuCo decided to test that out by purchasing memberships for two local entities that the Chamber might not exactly welcome with open arms. We wound up with an awkward phone call, some ignored emails, and the discovery that every single application has to be approved—or denied—by a vote of the Board of Directors. They told us that decision would be made on October 16th, but guess what? We received no communication. Looks a lot less like a community resource and a lot more like a private club to us, and a private club that accepts money up front (for any number of months dues up to a years worth) for every application submitted—without informing them that they may have just thrown their money away for nothing. If we don't receive communication by this months meeting? We're prepared to declare them a cool kids club open only to folks they're willing to talk to at the church potluck.
Feed The Future Rally
November 22, 2025 | 11:00AM to 1:00PM | Courthouse – 229 North Main Street, Forest City
In addition to some sign waving, we'll be doing some fundraising for No Kid Hungry.
Or just send us a message on Signal to get in on the conversation!
Thomas Jefferson Classial Academy, Facilities Meeting
November 25, 2025 | 12:00PM | TJCA High School – 2527 US 221A HWY, Mooresboro
Mortellus always does meeting watch at TJCA.
November 23, 2025 | 6:00PM | RCGOP HQ – 171 East Main Street, Forest City
They're still declaring they'll have a meeting on Thanksgiving (and Christmas day), and well, who's cancelling the holidays now?
Thomas Jefferson Classial Academy, Facilities
November 25, 2025 | 12:00PM | TJCA High School – 2527 US 221A HWY, Mooresboro
Mortellus always does meeting watch at TJCA.
Human Rights and Holiday Lights
November 27th, 28th, and 29th, 2025 | 6PM to 9PM | Courthouse – 229 North Main Street, Forest City
We're putting together a small team to head out to the downtown holiday events to hand out information sheets about issues facing our community, and gathering donations for Operation Santa through the USPS, supporting letters from children and families in need that we’ve pledged to adopt this year. Would you like to be on the team? Email us at indivisiblerutherfordnc@gmail.com
Forest City Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 27, 2025 | 6:30PM | Main Street, Forest City
November 30, 2025 | 3:00PM | Main Street, Forest City
Did we miss something, get something wrong, or did you want your events added to our calendar? Reach out!
Hey y'all! Here at Indivisible RuCo we're excited to transition our newsletter over to the blog space on the website, that way, it'll always be there for you to refer back to and to pass along to a friend. Don't worry—we'll still let you know when there's a new one by email. As always, we're here to build community, fight for justice, and if not encourage Rutherford County leadership to put the people of this county first, at least make 'em feel bad about it. As always, if there's anything going on that you'd like to be a part of? Please reach out and let us know!
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