The last day of August - where has the Summer gone! Hope everyone had a pleasant weekend and got to the Farm Fresh Market on Saturday morn; because if you did and you purchased first of the season spaghetti squash, I have a delicious recipe for you today!

Cheesy Spaghetti Squash
1 spaghetti squash
2 Tbsp Parmesan style grated topping
1/2 c Shredded Mozarella Cheese
2 Plum tomatoes, finely chopped
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley

Pierce the squash several times with a fork or sharp knife to allow steam to escape. Place in microwavable dish and microwave on HIGH 10 minutes or until squash is softened, turning after first 5 minutes. Let it stand for 5 minutes when done.

Cut squash in half; remove & discard seeds. Use a fork to scrape the insides to form strands. Place strands in a large bowl and add remaining ingredients to bowl and toss lightly with a fork. Spoon mixture back into one squash shell (other shell can be discarded).

Place squash in microwave and cook on HIGH 2 minutes or until heated thru. YUM!

Since we're talking shopping and food, did you know:

• Bi-Lo and Food Lion both offer on-line deals if you join their "club" by visiting their website and registering your card number and e-mail address? You can receive offers by e-mail from Bi-Lo, Food Lion and Aldi.
• My Bi-Lo is currently offering coupons for free items if you purchase the name brand product equivalent to the store brand. Example: Purchase 1 box of Eggo waffles, get a FREE box of Southern Home brand waffles. Coupons change every three weeks.
• If you're a couponer and you can double a coupon, you can really cash in on the savings!

Stay tuned tomorrow and I'll let you know about some new store openings and re-openings!

Merchants Websites

Calling all merchants! Have you noticed we've added a section on the right hand side for links to all local merchants. Please let us know if your business has a website so we can add it to our list. Thanks!

The weekend is here, and it looks like rain is in the forecast with milder temperatures! But don't let that stop you from getting out and attending the Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad. Activities started yesterday and will continue thru the weekend. Everything from water skiing, tennis, volleyball, hiking to children's events will take place throughout the Lake Lure/Hickory Nut Gorge area.

*The Farm Fresh Market will be held Saturday morning beginning at 9:00 am next to the cinema at the Tri-City Mall in Forest City. Some of the goodies being offered this week include several varities of apples, acorn squash, butternut squash and spaghetti squash! Definitely signs that Fall is on its way!

There's a hint of Fall in the air! With mornings cooler and some leaves starting to change color, the outdoors is a great place to spend leisure time. The 2009 Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad "Summer Sports Festival" begins Thursday August 27 thru Sunday, August 30. As a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers, the annual event brings people together in the spirit of friendly competition for the broader purpose of promoting health and wellness, charitable giving, regional tourism and economic development. The Olympiad has given back over $120,000 to charities since 2005. One of the highlights of this year's event will be the Lake Lure Ski Club. The show line-up will include three water-ski pyramids, barefoot skiing, tantrum wakeboard flips and much more! The club will also highlight the influx of young talent with several children who learned to ski this season!

In addition to water skiing, there will also be tennis and volleyball competition as well as children's games. All three of these categories are in need of more participants.

For more information on volunteering, registering for events or to make a contribution, please visit http://www.hickorynutolympiad.com/, Facebook or call 828-429-9011. Tomorrow I will share a more complete weekend schedule with you.

Some troubling news to pass on to you - Scoops Ice Cream Shop in Forest City has closed its doors as of last week. That only leaves Doc's in Rutherfordton, Smiths Drugs in Forest City and Spindale Drug in Spindale for an ice cream cone in the TriLocal area!

Speaking of sweet treats, did you know that Davis Donuts has moved to a new location? They are now located next to Sherwin Williams Paint on Main Street across from the old depot building in Forest City. Stop by and check out their new digs - I understand they have added a few new items to their menu besides donuts.

*So what is going in to their old spot - well, City Table Catering is moving into it. Not only can you stop by and enjoy great BBQ at the City Table restaurant, but you

can also handle your catering needs right next door! Both are located on North Powell Street in Forest City.

*Do you clip coupons?? If so, look a new column in the Daily Courier beginning Saturday, Sept. 5th. It features Jill Cataldo, who is known as the Coupon Queen. Each weekly session will teach people how to track sales and use coupons to their fullest potential! There will also be coupons from local Rutherford County merchants included. For more information about the columnist, visit http://www.super-couponing.com/.

*If you're a local merchant who wants to participate in the weekly coupon offers, contact the Daily Courier at 828.245.6431 for all the details. A 2" x 3" ad is only $25.00 per week (deadline for 1st week is 9/2/09)!!

The Third Annual Relay for Life Idol Competition will be held Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7:00 pm at the Rutherford County Senior Center located on Callahan Koon Road. General admission is $2 per individual age 6 years and older, with no charge for those 6 and under. You can vote for your favorite performer as many times as you wish for only $1 a vote. Finalists will compete for the coveted Idol title on Friday, Sept. 11 at the Relay for Life event. Make plans now to attend a great night of live, local entertainment! All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society and their fight to eliminate this deadly disease.

*Don't miss out on the Wednesday Freebies at Arby's! Mark your calendars for the Wednesdays' Hot Deals which last the duration of Summer. Tomorrow's special is a Free Iced FruiTea with any Sandwich purchase; Wednesday, August 26, the meal deal is a Free Regular Beef 'n Cheddar with any Soft Drink purchase. Save some cool cash with these hot deals!!!

*Check out the garden centers at Wal-Mart, Lowe's and Big Lots - there are many great buys on flowers, outdoor furniture and garden supplies during their end-of-season clearances! Many of the flowers and plants are perennials - so if you plant now, you can enjoy their beauty beginning next Spring!!!

Switch Flops!

Check out these new Switch Flops available at "It's All in the Bag" in downtown Forest City.

Weekly Promotions 8/7/09

The Tax Free Weekend is now in full swing, so how about some ideas of places to shop for tax -free items besides Wal-Mart and Staples!

*If you're looking for computers or computer- related items, don't forget about Conner Computer Consultants, Inc. in downtown Rutherfordton (across the street from the Courthouse) or City Computers located on E Main Street in Forest City.

*Supplies for school, home or office can be found at Duffie's Copier, located off Oak Street in Forest City

*Personalized items are also popular with students, either full names or monograms. Two shops that come to mind for such items are Simply Silver Acessories & More and Monograms & More. Located in Spindale in the old Hanes outlet site, Simply Silver is offering water bottles, note pads, book bags & lunch totes, as well as pre-schooler water bottles with names or initials on them. They are also having a clearance sale on the summer line of Royal Child.

Monograms & More, located in Rutherfordton on South Main, is having an Inventory Reduction Sale with everything in the store 1/2 price!! Not only a great time to buy totes, towels, collegiate items, etc for back-to-school, how about gifts for the holidays!!

For store hours for either shop, contact Simply Silver @ 828-287-4454 and Monograms & More @828-286-2266.

* Several of the area thrift stores, Yokefellow and Hospice, are still running their 1/2 off sale this weekend. Sales end Saturday at 5:00 pm.

A tip for school clothes shoppers - buy now what you absolutely need to get the kids started in school. If you can wait to buy the rest of their school wardrobe between Labor Day and Columbus Day, you can really save alot by taking advantage of all the end of season & pre-season sales that will be going on! That's what makes you a Savvy Shopper!

Have a great weekend & TriLocal for all your tax- free shopping needs!!