Life in Our Foothills November 2018, Tryon Newsmedia, Tryon Daily Bulletin

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

LIFE IN OUR

FOOTHILLS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

A dining legacy Tryon restaurant offers familiar tastes in a friendly atmosphere

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

LIVING CANVASES

Foothills residents share their passion for body art 1$4.95 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

A LITERARY LEGACY

Area publisher reflects on career in Hub City

TAKE THE PLUNGE

The Gorge Zip Line provides thrills in Saluda

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

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WELCOME LIFE IN OUR

Something old, and a lot more new

A

fter months of planning, we’re finally ready to unveil some of the changes we’ve been brewing up for this humble publication — some familiar, and others completely new.

First, as you’ve noticed by the title proudly emblazoned on the front cover, we’ve decided to return to the name that our magazine launched under six years ago — Life in Our Foothills. While there are a number of more technical reasons behind this, we feel that, with our publication making so many changes, it is only appropriate that we remember the foundation that this magazine was built on — telling the stories that make the Carolina Foothills the fascinating place people have come to know and love.

Now, onto the new. In this issue, we’re launching two new departments, joining the Service and Food sections we introduced earlier this year.

The first of these is Arts and Culture, which will kick off every issue of LIOF. In addition to containing familiar standing features like the calendar of events in the community and our Foothills Famous photo shoots, we’re introducing our “In the Studio” profiles. Every issue, we will tell the story of a particular artist in the area — be they a painter, sculptor, author, musician, what have you — and give readers a sneak peek into their workspace, as well as offer a look into the passions that fuel their creative fires.

To launch the feature, we are profiling Tryon’s Tyson Graham, a pottery artist whose nature-inspired works are quickly gaining recognition, both locally and beyond.

We are also launching our Outdoors department. In this section, readers will find two new features: the first, “Tourist for a Day,” explores a particular outdoor destination, located in our own lush backyard. The inaugural feature will focus on The Gorge Zip Line in Saluda, one of the most popular entertainment spots in all of western North Carolina.

The other feature in our Outdoors section is “Five Questions For...” Each issue, we will feature a short Q&A with someone who is intimately connected with sporting, wildlife conservation or other outdoor-related activities in the area.

Both the Arts and Culture and Outdoors sections, along with the other standing features in the magazine, capture some of the most important elements that make our community the place it is today.

We hope you enjoy these and other changes we made this issue, as we continue to tell the stories of the special people who make “Life in Our Foothills” so wonderful.

Ted Yoakum, Managing Editor ted.yoakum@tryondailybulletin.com 2

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

General Manager Kevin Powell Managing Editor Ted Yoakum Marketing Magan Etheridge Trish Boyter Production Gwen Ring Distribution Jeff Allison Jamie Lewis Alex Greene Administration Heather Holbert Contributors Michelle Fleming Mark Levin Vincent Verrecchio Jennifer Wilson Steve Wong

Life in Our Foothills is published monthly by Tryon Newsmedia LLC. Life in Our Foothills is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Tryon Newsmedia LLC. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Please address all correspondence (including, but not limited to, letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to Editor, Life in Our Foothills, 16. N. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782, or email to ted.yoakum@tryondailybulletin. com. Life in Our Foothills is available free of charge at locations throughout Polk County and the upstate of South Carolina, and online at TryonDailyBulletin.com. Subscriptions are available for $35 per year by calling 828-8599151. To advertise, call 828-859-9151.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

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CONTENTS

28

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36

Arts and Culture

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26

Social Life

At the Little Mountain Festival, guests find more than music and art

Get to know the Tryon Garden

06

November/December calendar of events

Foothills Featured 08

Over the Top Reception

10

Ache Around the Lake

12

Summer Fun

In the Studio

Service 22

Difference Maker

For Meals on Wheels coordinator, feeding seniors isn’t just a job, it’s a mission

Club Corner

Club

Features 28

The art of tattoo: carrying the canvas

An ancient form takes life on the skin of Foothills residents

36

From coffeehouse dream to literary legacy Spartanburg publisher reflects on career in Hub City

ON THE COVER: An employee with Tryon’s Caro-Mi Dining Room shows off a plater of the restaurant’s famous coleslaw and macaroni salad outside the establishment. Read more about the famed eatery in this issue’s “Food in the Foothills” feature, which begins on page 42.

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Tryon Fine Arts Center presents

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Food 42

Food in the Foothills

Caro-Mi Dining Room a fabled destination for generations

50

Quick Bites

Sweet tastes for the holiday season

Outdoors 52

Five Questions for...

Pam Torlina, Conserving Carolina

54

Tourist for a Day The Gorge

61

Why I Love the Foothills Mike McCue

62

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SOCIAL LIFE Tryon Christmas Parade

Tuba Christmas

Jamie Laval’s Celtic Christmas

Nov. 2

Own Prowl with Aaron Steed 7 p.m.

Foothills Equestrian Nature Center 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon

Nov. 2

Main Stage Series: Sierra Hull 8 p.m.

Tryon Fine Arts Center 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon

Nov. 3

Tryon Beer Fest Noon to 5 p.m.

Downtown Tryon

Nov. 3

2018 Green Race Time TBD Saluda 6

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Nov. 8-11 and Nov. 15-18

Nov. 16

“Dancing at Lughnasa” Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m.

Tryon Little Theater 516 S. Trade St., Tryon

Saluda Train Tales 7 p.m.

Saluda Historic Depot 32 W. Main St., Saluda

Nov. 9-12

Two Comedy Legends: Michael Winslow & Pam Stone 7:30 p.m.

Tryon Fine Arts Center 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon

ESSFTA Dog Agility Program 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Foothills Equestrian Nature Center 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon

Nov. 15

Tryon Concert Association: Juilliard String Quartet 8 p.m.

Tryon Fine Arts Center 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon

Nov. 17

Nov. 24

Oyster Roast 1 to 5 p.m.

Foothills Equestrian Nature Center 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon

Dec. 1

Tuba Christmas 1:30 p.m.

Polk County High School

Dec. 6

Landrum Christmas Parade 6 p.m.

Downtown Landrum

Dec. 7

Tryon Christmas Stroll Time TBD Downtown Tryon

Dec. 8

40th Anniversary Gala and Exhibition Time TBD Upstairs Artspace 49 S. Trade St., Tryon

Dec. 9

Community Chorus Christmas Concert 3 p.m.

Polk County High School

Dec. 9

Family Concert with Blissing Trio 4 p.m.

Foothills Equestrian Nature Center 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon

Dec. 12

Tryon Christmas Parade 6 p.m.

Downtown Tryon

Dec. 14

Hometown Christmas - Open House and Music Time TBD Downtown Saluda

Dec. 30

Jamie Laval’s Celtic Christmas 7 p.m.

Tryon Fine Arts Center 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

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FOOTHILLS FEATURED 1

Over the Top reception

Tryon Fine Arts Center hosted a reception Saturday, Sept. 8, celebrating Over the Top, a week of musical, theatrical and educational arts programming, to kick off TFAC’s Capital Campaign for efficiency, accessibility and flexibility. Following the reception, some of Tryon’s top performers took the stage for “Showtunes & Standards,” a night of show-stopping hits.

Photography courtesy of Michelle Fleming

1. Sherril Wingo, Mary and Donnie Carruth, and Katie Doyen 2. Bob and Susan Penfold, and Drew Brannon 3. Dr. Elizabeth Child and the Rev. Mollie Turner

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

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4. Patty and Tom Trobaugh

5. Jean Pettigrew and Margie Pankey

Your View Awaits we’ll help you find it!

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FOOTHILLS FEATURED 1

Ache Around the Lake

The 13th Annual Ache Around the Lake Run/Walk — a benefit for St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation — was held Saturday, Sept. 22, at Lake Lanier. Ache Around the Lake is a community event that includes “The Ache” (8K or 5 miles) or “The Ouch” (a 2-mile fun run). Proceeds from Ache Around the Lake will fund aesthetic improvements, including furnishings, paint and décor, for the Family Room in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Official race results can be found at itsabouttime.run/ race-results.

Photography courtesy of Jennifer Wilson

1.Ernesto Jimenez, Tealok Ray, Chris Ray, Daniel Jimenez, Arianna Jimenez, Janet Jimenez, Amy Norville, Debra Hill, Shontay Singleton and Deshaune Wilkins 2. Jim Bross, Shannon McCool (Ache first-place female 50-54 years old) and Meshelle Colvin 3. Blair Long and Harvey 4. David and Niki Coffin, with Odin and Spencer 10

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

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5, Ethan, Jacob, Amberina, Angela and Shaun Jenne

6. Debra Hill and Keith White

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FOOTHILLS FEATURED 1

Summer Fun

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This fall, we asked our readers to send us some photos from their summer family vacations. Check out of a few of the submissions, featuring locations from across the U.S. and the globe. Thanks to everyone who sent photos!

1. Rutherfordton’s Sara Miriam Wolff sent us this photo of her and her family at Angra do Heroismo, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Azores, Portugal.

2. Mark and Laura Smith, of Mill Spring, sent this photo of their trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon for their 10th wedding anniversary.

“We had the time of our lives,” Laura says.

3. Tryon’s Billy Mullis sent us this photo of him and his daughter, 14-yearold Brisa, at the Majestic Theatre in Manhattan for a performance of “The Phantom of the Opera.” “This was my daughter’s first trip to Manhattan — thought she was old enough to see where I cut my teeth,” Billy says about their vacation.

4. Rachael Haynes-Wood, of Mill Spring, sent this photo of her son, Jasper, getting break dancing lessons from street performers during their family vacation to Charleston, South Carolina.

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

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5. Katie and Travis Dudley, of Saluda, sent this photo of their 2-year-old son, Mason, who is excited to be feeding the ducks during their August vacation to Belgrade Lakes, Maine.

6. Susan and Baron Newlin, of Green Creek, sent this photo of them enjoying their trip to Cape Spear on the Avalon Peninsula near St John’s, Newfoundland. The couple notes “it is the easternmost point in Canada and North America (excluding Danish-controlled Greenland). It is very foggy there. We had to make several trips to actually ‘see’ the cape.”

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IN THE STUDIO

Open the

KILN At the Little Mountain Festival, guests find more than music and art

STORY BY STEVE WONG PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK LEVIN

W

hen artist Tyson Graham opened his pottery kiln at the appointed time of 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the 43th Little Mountain Festival in the countryside of Tryon, everyone gathered around for a big surprise.

One to two hundred people were expected to come to the rustic country homestead, to a studio that is a shack of a building on Peniel Road. They would come for the music, the art, the fellowship.

But mostly, they would come to see Tyson’s latest creations in ceramics: functional (you can eat out of them) pitchers, vases, lidded canisters, casserole dishes, plates, platters, bowls, mugs and tumblers.

There would be established and orig-

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inal designs of yellow daffodils on black, blue ageratums and green leaves on white, white snowdrop flowers, blue birds, fish, bunnies, chickens, musical instruments.

A guest could purchase a single dish to add to a personal collection or a complete matching table setting for eight.

It would be a full day of friends and family, musicians and art lovers hanging out on a fall day to look and learn, to play and hear pre-bluegrass music, to let the kids run in the grass — but the initial focus would be the kiln opening.

Would they find dozens of beautiful ceramic dishes?

Or, would they find rubble?

“At this point, I’ve fired the gas kiln enough that the results are relatively predictable,” Tyson says. “The first year or so, this wasn’t the case! The worst that tends to happen lately is a few pieces might crack or warp during the firing, and in that case, I would use the opportunity to explain the firing process and the all the variables that go along with using an old large gas kiln.”

All would be Tyson’s work, designed, wheel-thrown, glazed and fired in a drafty-in-the-winter and sultry-in-the-

summer building, built in the late 1800s as a general store. For a day that held all the promise of community and fellowship, a successful traditional kiln opening would set the tone of things to come.

They would come in anticipation of seeing Tyson’s brand of ceramics hot out of the kiln. They would stay for the fun.

“This event is a great opportunity for people to visit a historic rural pottery studio and experience some of the music and art of the Foothills,” the entrepreneur says. “It’s a family-friendly environment and always fun! I think traditional

arts, crafts and music are very important and need to be cherished. With the push these days for all things digital and technical, for me it’s become more and more important to stay connected to things that are tangible and real.”

Traditional kiln openings are rare in today’s art world. By definition, a “traditional” kiln opening is when the artist opens the sealed kiln, letting everyone — including the artist — see for the first time what’s inside.

For Tyson, the event is a little nerve-racking, knowing that it could be NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

15

a “bad firing.”

It could be filled with pottery ready to be sold. It could be filled with broken pottery not worth saving. Or, it could be filled with a mix of both.

That’s the surprise.

“The weeks leading up to the kiln opening are always very busy,” Tyson said. “There are hundreds of pots that I’ve been working on for months that all need to be decorated, glazed and fired, so there’s always a little stress with getting everything done. I usually fire the kiln two or three times leading up to the festival, with the last firing being unloaded 16

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

during the event. While that last firing is cooling, there’s always anticipation: how did the firing go? Did my glazes work correctly? Is anyone going to show up?

“On the day of the event, folks pack into the back of the studio around the kiln, and they’re all eager to see the pieces as they come out.”

Today, not many commercial artists are willing to take the chance of publicly opening a kiln gone bad. They would rather open the kiln in private, get rid of the mistakes, clean up the good stuff and put it back in the cold kiln for a somewhat-ceremonial public opening.

Tyson confirmed that he and most potters create their ceramics with an element of uncertainty, not totally sure how the creative and technical elements — clay, technique, glaze, firing, cooling — will come together in the finished pieces. And anything can go wrong.

Good kiln opening or not, the Little Mountain Festival would go on, and a good time would be had by all. It’s a local tradition, although not all that well known outside of the Carolina Foothills.

The festival of live old-fashion country folk music and displays of local art started in 1973, when artists Claude and

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Elaine Graves owned the studio building that is now simply Tyson Graham Pottery, but sometimes still referred to Little Mountain Pottery. People would come for the day, bringing picnics, children, musical instruments and food.

The expanse of grass between the studio and the main house would have vendor tents and pockets of pick-up musicians. Over the years, it grew to an attendance of a couple hundred. The festival also coincided with national American Craft Week.

“We’re very good friends,” Tyson says, referring to the Graves. “[My wife] Darby and I live just down the driveway from the Graves, so we see them quite a bit. We get together regularly for supper and a few tunes, and they pop by the studio every week or so to see what I’ve been up to. They’ve passed down their 40 years of ceramic knowledge, invited me to work in their studio and trusted me to carry on their tradition. I’ll be

forever grateful for all they’ve shared.”

This would be Tyson’s fourth year of hosting Little Mountain Festival. However, its roots go back more than four decades, to when the Graves owned the property and started the gathering.

As a musician, Tyson had attended several times, and about six years ago, almost by chance, he was asked by the Graves if he had any interest in pottery.

He was, after all, an artist with a degree in design.

He had never really given pottery much thought, but he was ready for change and to leave his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. He agreed to a one-year apprenticeship with the Graves, and took a few basic ceramic courses to brush up on his new medium.

In the winter of 2014, Tyson and his family moved to Tryon. Now, the Graves have retired, and Tyson, 34, has taken over the studio, established his own brand of nature-inspired ceramics, and

carries on their tradition of hosting the festival in the fall.

“I can look back at what I was seeking when I first started coming,” Tyson recalls. “While I was in college and later working in Columbia, I would drive up here every year for the festival. It felt like stepping back in time, and there was a real sense of community surrounding the pottery studio. I suppose I was drawn to that community of folks who were doing what they love, whether it be music, crafts or art.

“I’ve been so fortunate to have the opportunity to work in such an old studio with such a rich history, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of so many people. At these events, I look around and see my family, friends and people from all over, all brought together by an appreciation for the arts and music of our region. There are always new faces, as well as folks that have been coming for 30 years or more, and they

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all tend to be smiling!”

Using a motorized kick wheel to thrown his pots and a gas-fueled kiln made by Claude to fire them, Tyson carries on many of the traditions and techniques set forth by the Graves.

But his designs are his own, and creating them is the hardest part of his process.

Using only red earthenware clay out of North Carolina and Georgia, Tyson looks no further than out of his studio windows to find inspirations for his popular “nature-inspired” designs.

“I make mostly simple, functional pieces that are decorated with patterns and imagery that directly reference my daily life,” Tyson says. “With both pottery and music, the process becomes calming and meditative, and, if you over think things, it’s not as successful. I try to create work that has a certain fluidity and effortlessness to it, and the process evolves over time.”

“It is all part of my life now. I don’t look too far for my inspiration,” he says, standing just outside of his studio on sunny day in the country, looking at the yard that would soon be filled with art and music lovers attending the 43rd Little Mountain Festival.

And still the question loomed: what would he and his guests find when he opened the kiln? • Steve Wong is a writer living in the peach orchards in Gramling, South Carolina.

He can be reached online at Just4Wong@Gmail.com.

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DIFFERENCE MAKER

More than just a warm meal For Meals on Wheels coordinator, feeding seniors isn’t just a job, it’s a mission

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK LEVIN

P

olk County’s Meals on Wheels program is a well-greased operation thanks to Gail Dyer, the program’s nutrition coordinator.

Every weekday, Polk County citizens not only look forward to a hot and nutritious meal — they depend on it.

In addition to this anticipat-

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

ed lunch, they also have someone checking in on them. Many recipients live by themselves and welcome this chance to have someone come to their door.

The Meals on Wheels program might go by different names, but that’s the one most familiar to everyone. What might not be as familiar is

just how important this organization is.

Gail says they serve nearly 200 people each weekday. Most of those are the home-delivered meals, but the program also serves regular senior citizen participants at their congregate sites at The Meeting Place in Columbus on Carmel Lane and at

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

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the Green Creek Community Center at the site of the old Green Creek School. On average each year, the Polk County program serves about 24,000 home-delivered meals and 12,000 at the two sites.

Gail and Haley Suskauer, the senior services manager for The Meeting Place Senior Center, are both dedicated professionals. Haley has been in her position with the county for just a few months, while Gail has been with the program in one role or the other for 11 years.

Gail, a native and lifelong resident of Polk County, is the perfect person for this job. She knows the county’s highways, byways and country lanes.

She’s traveled them all.

Gail pushes the belief that they 24

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

want to be more than just a hot meal service. She makes good on this principle as she assesses each request for Meals on Wheels service that includes a home visit.

Gail might notice that someone needs help with a home repair, with transportation for a doctor’s appointment, or that someone doesn’t have heat on a cold winter’s day. She and Haley help put these folks in touch with the various services available in Polk County through a variety of private and public agencies. She also thinks ahead to make sure food is in the home if a winter-storm is predicted.

Gail also does her best to make sure the pets of Meals on Wheels participants don’t go hungry, either. They

noticed that sometimes the participants would share some of their food with their pets.

So Gail works with the Foothills Humane Society to collect donations for dog and cat food that can be delivered along with the people kind.

There are eligibility qualifications for the Meals on Wheels program, including being at least 60 years old, homebound and unable to shop or cook. But there are other ways to qualify depending on individual circumstances.

There is no income cutoff level — everyone should have the opportunity to eat a decent meal.

All of the meals prepared a day for both Meals on Wheels recipients and those served at the two senior centers

While the professional staff at The Meeting Place works out all the details, including budgeting, grant writing, volunteer recruitment and training, and coordination of everything, it’s the volunteers who make this possible. meet the one-third recommended dietary allowance set by the FDA. In addition to Gail supervising the entire process, including menu planning, there’s a dedicated staff working either full or part time.

Drew Murphy is the kitchen coordinator and serves as head chef, and is assisted by James Metcalf and Mimi Mehlmauer. All of the staff not only help behind the serving counter, but can also be found out front, carrying trays of food to those diners unable to stand in the serving line.

While the professional staff at The Meeting Place works out all the details, including budgeting, grant writing, volunteer recruitment and training, and coordination of everything, it’s the volunteers who make this possible.

As with many organizations, volunteers are in short supply, though.

The Meals on Wheels program could use 20 to 30 volunteers to cover all the routes, which can vary from a few miles to many. It’s possible to volunteer just a couple of times a month, once a week or serve as a fill-in delivery person.

Volunteers deliver more than food — they deliver hope and cheer and a smile to our neighbors from all walks of life.

“We want to provide more than just a hot meal,” Gail says.

It’s obvious just how much she means this.

To learn more about The Meeting Place and the Meals on Wheels Program, including referring someone for help or to volunteer, people may call Haley or Gail at 828-894-0001. • Mark Levin has recently retired from a career in education and, along the way, has had a lifetime of experiences, earning a buck as a photographer, videographer, author, musician and camp director. You can follow his blog about people and places in the Foothills at FoothillsFaces.com or on Facebook.

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CLUB CORNER

Get to know the

TRYON GARDEN CLUB

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Information provided

by Donna Southworth, membership co-chairperson and past president:

and Glen, and the Tryon Depot Garden, as well as Tryon civic beautification projects.

Name of organization: How long have you been a member?

How did you first Years of operation: get involved?

The Tryon Garden Club

The Tryon Garden Club Inc.

was organized in 1928. It has been in operation for 90 years.

Current membership: The current membership number is 66 regular members, plus four honorary members and two employees.

How to join: Anyone can express interest by replying to the email address or contacting another member.

A membership application will be emailed along with information about the club.

What is the primary mission of your organization?

The mission of the Tryon Garden Club Inc. is to foster awareness and appreciation of the natural world by preserving, protecting and treasuring Pearson’s Falls, contributing to the beautification of Tryon, educating members and the community, and collaborating with others.

What are the main causes the organization is involved with?

The main causes the Tryon Garden Club is involved with are maintaining Pearson Falls

I personally have been a member since 2010. I became involved because of my interest in trees, gardens and nature. I attended a Spring Walk at Pearson’s Falls and fell in love with the place. After meeting the friendly women and men who were members, I joined, and soon became involved on the board of directors as secretary.

How does the organization make the Foothills a better place?

The Tryon Daily Bulletin survey voted our Pearson’s Falls and Glen the best place for a family outing and best place to take a hike. Earlier this year, the Polk County Historical Association survey voted us number three on their list of Top 10 Polk County Wonders. Pearson’s Falls and Glen, with its well-maintained trails, is a destination for both natives and visitors.

What is the main thing members get out of joining?

The main thing membership offers is knowledge, hospitality, friendship and a sense of caring and learning about our community and the environment.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

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FEATURE

THE ART OF TATTOO

CARRYING THE CANVAS An ancient form takes life on the skin of Foothills residents

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY VINCENT VERRECCHIO

T

he snow would soon catch the bearded Scythian chieftain trotting his pony across the grassy slope.

Behind him, gray clouds already obscured peaks of the Altai Mountains. Wind flapped his rust-colored wool cloak and threatened to steal his conical hat of brown felt.

So far, his brown wool tunic and leggings held the cold at bay. He knew some tattoos on his body provided additional protection against misfortunes of weather, as well as war, and that in the next life, some would assure his acceptance by tribe members who had gone before, identifying his status, deeds and prowess.

He did not know that, in about 2,500 years, he would be known as The Man of Pazyryk. Preserved in the Siberian permafrost, his skin would be a canvas of rams, antlered deer, abstract carnivores, fish, griffins, a donkey and the monster of a personal dream, many intertwined, and each rendered with stunning intricacy.

Archaeologists would learn more of the ancient nomadic culture from him and try to understand what was so important or beautiful in his life that he would carry the images of it into death. Even now, much is hypothetical or unknown as to why the Scythian was tattooed, how it was done and who did it.

I was almost ready to leave it at that, but then remembered the tattoos on the arms of my horse’s farrier.

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“My first tattoo... a spiky tribal symbol, was a mistake. Rather than remove it, I added a pair of roses to soften the geometry... it became the starting point for my sleeve.”

Jeff Pauley

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THE CANVAS Jeff Pauley is one of only a few farriers in the United States to have achieved the distinction of an associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers from the United Kingdom. A former mechanical engineer, he is meticulous, and has trained farriers in Colombia, South America, and worked at Endurance World Championships internationally.

“I collect art,” Jeff says. “While some 30

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people hang their collections on the wall, I carry the canvas. I want art to express my thoughts and what I think is beauty. My first tattoo, above the bicep in 1986, a spiky tribal symbol, was a mistake. Rather than remove it, I added a pair of roses to soften the geometry.

That was it for almost 30 years, until it became the starting point for my sleeve.”

A sleeve is a large single tattoo or integrated smaller tattoos that flow from

shoulder to wrist. Jeff’s sleeve took nine sittings of two to four hours each.

“I got my first tattoo as a statement of freedom from my ex-husband who had forbidden me to get a tattoo,” says Kimberly Borr, a hair stylist and Jeff’s significant other. “I got the horse pair on the small of my back to show my love for endurance riding.”

Wanting to learn more, I talked with Nathan Winegar, a construction worker. His right sleeve is a New Testament

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montage.

“When people ask me about it, I have the chance to share The Word,” he says.

Courtney Montgomery, a vet tech, has a sleeve and tattoos on her back because she likes the color and the appearance.

“They’re fun,” she says.

Elizabeth Ngee, a former police officer pursuing a career in physical therapy, says the oriental imagery of her tattoos have personal meanings of her Chinese heritage.

TATTOOING THE SKIN The top layer of skin is the epidermis, with five strata. The second layer, the dermis, contains the sweat and sebaceous glands, blood vessels, follicles and sensory receptors.

In tattooing, a needle or other sharp object, coated with pigment, pierces the epidermis and deposits the color in the top third of the dermis. The epidermis flakes off over time, continuously replacing itself as protection for the dermis.

Sun will fade the tattoo, but otherwise, the pigment in the dermis is permanent.

A Scythian artist may have used a sharpened bone or a pointed incandescent sliver of wood, one painful puncture at a time to a depth determined by touch.

Today, needles are sterile, either a pre-sterilized disposable or stainless steel that can be autoclaved. A motor drive, traceable to an invention by Thomas Edison, moves the needle(s) in and out of the skin, 80 to 150 times per second, at a more precise and consistent depth. Needle diameters are .30, .35, and .40 mm, and, depending on the effect, can be used singly (.40 mm for lining) or in various combinations up to 27 needles (.30 or 35 mm for shading). The artist dips the needle, like a vintage quill pen, into the ink every 10 seconds.

Jeff says the pain is about the same as a bee sting, and afterwards, skin is tender like sunburn. Courtney, the vet tech, says a cat scratch is more annoying.

THE ARTIST A tattoo artist in South Carolina must pay for an apprenticeship before working in a studio and earn yearly continuing education credits in bloodborne pathogens and infection control to maintain a license.

Tyler Teague, tattoo artist and co-owner of 9 Lives Tattoo in Inman, with his wife Angela, remembers his father going for a tattoo and taking him along as a 9-year-old. Tyler loved the art and knew someday he’d have one like dad. He paid for an apprenticeship by bartending.

“I see skin as potential, then draw on paper, apply color theory, and envision the final art before my stencil touches skin,” Tyler says.

A stencil, like carbonless paper, transfers the image so he can see the temporary image in place and in motion before NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

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“Living in a world that’s so fragmented and so chaotic, [tattoos] create identities very easily.”

Professor Anne Villiquette

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tattooing over it.

Chad Glover, a tattoo artist at 9 Lives, worked in construction to pay for his apprenticeship.

“I did art projects with my grandparents and could always draw with depth,” Chad says. “I could simply do it, and pushed myself to improve a seamless style.”

Devin Kimbrell, the third artist at 9 Lives, was studying botany at college when his grandmother advised to be sure that’s what he really wanted.

“I took my paintings and sketches to the apprenticeship interview and paid my way working in a greenhouse,” Devin says. “I still like to paint... but, with tattooing, I can be an artist without the starving part of it.”

Since the 1970s, tattoos have become increasingly mainstream.

The industry has grown 13 percent from 2011 to 2016. A 2016 Harris poll reports 29 percent of Americans, and nearly 50 percent between 18 and 40, have tattoos.

Professor Anne Villiquette with the University of Arkansas hypothesizes, “Living in a world that’s so fragmented and so chaotic, [tattoos] create identities very easily.” • A photo waits in all things, all places, and everyone with a passion has a story to be told. That’s the perspective Vince Verrecchio, lightly retired ad agency creative director, brings as a writer and photographer contributing to Foothills Magazine. He can be reached at vincent.verrecchio@ gmail.com.

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FEATURE

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From coffeehouse dream

TO LITERARY LEGACY Spartanburg publisher reflects on career in Hub City STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY VINCENT VERRECCHIO

B

etsy Teter once had a coffeehouse dream so compelling and real, she invested her heart and talent for decades to help it become the literary legacy of Hub City.

Now, she has stepped back from the joys and worries of executive director and editor, reflects on the history and ponders the emotional resonance of her decision.

Frequently during 1995, she and two other writers sat at a round table in Gary Koch’s coffee shop, fueling their imaginations with caffeine and

sharing their concerns and visions for the town outside the window. It was their town, Spartanburg, where they had been born and had learned that there had been better days.

Betsy, a journalist; Gary Henderson, a fellow journalist and author; and John Lane, a poet, English professor at Wofford College and her future husband, could see Morgan Square across Main Street. There, a bronze Daniel Morgan had been watching from atop his granite column since 1881, first erected for

the centennial commemoration of his leadership in the patriot’s amazing victory at Cowpens.

During Spartanburg’s heyday from 1880 through 1920, the town around Morgan hummed with commerce, powered by the six rail lines that earned it the nickname of “Hub City.” The energy faded as rail traffic dwindled and suburban malls sapped vitality from downtown.

Over coffees, the trio of writers mourned a loss of civic purpose and sense of place. There is no certainty as NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

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to which of them first asked, “What can we do?”

But, for sure, the three of them challenged themselves to make their hometown a hub for the literary arts. None of them felt it was too bold an idea, not with three local colleges offering creative writing programs and the number of local writer names they so readily scrawled on a napkin.

With mounting enthusiasm, the trio filled front and back not only with local writers but with artists and photographers as possible contributors to an anthology that would demonstrate the depth and versatility of the town’s talent.

“We had no money,” Betsy remembers. “Just determination, each other’s encouragement and belief that literature could foster a sense of community.”

The coffeehouse dream became the Hub City Writers Project and its first offspring, the 150-page “Hub City Anthology.” Fifteen writers shared their essays on subjects ranging from lost places and racism to trains. Thirteen artists and four photographers further justified the faith and passion of the trio.

The book was at a Michigan printer in 1996. Full throttle promotion alerted Spartanburg County to a first-day book release event in April for the entire community with music and author signings. The anticipation of those who had worked so hard rivaled the night before Christmas excitement of youth.

Then, a week before delivery, Betsy learned that there would be no presents under the tree. The shipper could not deliver on time.

Exhilaration switched to a worry that the months of momentum would derail at the abandoned train station borrowed as the event site. Undeterred, the Writers Project pooled funds and hired private transport.

The morning of the big day was misty, the train platform wet and the brick and stone station, with boarded windows, was locked to the public. The books were still somewhere to the north.

“We had 150 limited edition hardbound copies coming, most already committed to donors who had contributed $100 to be listed in the front of the book,” Betsy recalls. “The trade paperback was a printing of 2,000, retailing at $15. We were hoping for a healthy jump on sales with an event special of $10.”

The countdown continued, until at about two hours before the 5 p.m. event, Mark Olencki, a contributing photographer and the graphic designer of the book, announced that the truck had arrived. Betsy cannot remember the degree of relief she felt, only her joy at seeing people parking three blocks away to gather at the station in such numbers that some were chased off the tracks by a railroad official.

“They were 10 deep at the autograph tables, and we sold 800.” Betsy says, smiling at the memory. “We were out of print in six months.”

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For Betsy and the other members of the Writers Project, success is a process, not an end. One success is a step to the next.

Two new books were in print within 18 months, and the second edition of the Anthology arrived in 1997.

“As a nonprofit organization that needed organization and fundraising, we recruited a board of seven,” Betsy says.

“I was hired as executive director, and knew it was what I was born to do. For as long as I could remember, I had loved books, reading, writing and Spartanburg.”

As editor, with no shortage of manuscripts, Betsy could readily satisfy her passion to read. Emailing rejections was an unpleasant necessity, but telephoning acceptances was almost as rewarding for her as for the authors. Every arrival of new books was Christmas for all involved.

For the first 10 years, 90 percent of sales were in Spartanburg. Now, 90 percent are outside the area. Writers hail from a southern region, stretching from Kentucky to Texas.

In 2010, not far to the west of Daniel Morgan, Hub City led the renovation of the 90-year old Masonic Temple to house the first full-service nonprofit bookstore in the nation. Sales at 186 W. Main St. help fund literary events, writing scholarships and publishing.

More than 700 writers have been published in 87 Hub City books. Official recognition includes the South Carolina Governor’s Award for the Humanities, South Carolina’s Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award for the Arts and 18 IPPY (Independent Publisher) Awards.

“Inevitably, the time comes to step back. It’s not sad or bittersweet,” Betsy reflects. “The feeling is the same as seeing a child grow and go on as a confident adult.

“I still have a role as a contract employee. With Meg [Reid, press director], Kate [McMullen, press assistant director], Anne [Waters, executive director] and a fantastic staff, I can look forward to where this next generation takes us.”

Shouldering my camera bag to leave the Hub City office, I saw Betsy at a desk, backed by storage shelves of current Hub City releases, focused on a monitor lined with double-spaced text.

I saw no intention of her ever retiring, and, considering what she and others have accomplished, I believed Daniel Morgan would be pleased. • A photo waits in all things, all places, and everyone with a passion has a story to be told.

That’s the perspective Vince Verrecchio, lightly retired ad agency creative director, brings as a writer and photographer contributing to Foothills Magazine. He can be reached at vincent.verrecchio@gmail.com.

Walker

ECHO

A division of NJK Consulting, Inc.

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FOOD IN THE FOOTHILLS

Carrying on a

LEGACY Caro-Mi Dining Room a fabled destination for generations STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY TED YOAKUM

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S

itting at the base of the mountains, in a serene wooded area, resting behind the gentle flowing waters of the North Pacolet River, lies an unassuming wooden cabin.

After crossing the covered bridge leading up to the structure and walking through the front screen door, you’ll find yourself inside a warmly lit dining room, decorated with old photos, knickknacks dating back generations and vibrant pennants of college and professional sports teams hailing from the Carolinas and beyond.

After a pleasant greeting from the host, you and your dining companions can take a seat at one of the many wooden tables, draped in a red-and-white checkmark cloth, that dot the inside.

Within moments, your server for the evening will offer you another amicable welcome, handing you a single page menu while placing platters of creamy macaroni salad and crunchy slaw on the table.

The best phrase to describe a visit to the famed Caro-Mi Dining Room is “old-school.” From the homey décor to the menu of classic Southern staples, the entire experience at the Tryon restaurant is a throwback to a previous era of hospitality, charm and chow.

Whether they are there to enjoy a couple more slices of salty country ham, to try once again to discover what makes the slaw — which, at first glance, appears to be nothing more than an unassuming bowl of cabbage and vinegar — so addicting, or just to enjoy a relaxing night out at a familiar place with familiar faces, the legion of diners who have frequented the business for years wouldn’t have it any other way.

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A 73-YEAR LEGACY Caro-Mi Lodge — a portmanteau of “Carolina” and “Miami,” the homes of founders Ronald and Myrtle Mehaffey — opened in the spring of 1944 at the crossing of Highway 25 and Greenville Street, outside Saluda.

Consisting of seven guest rooms, three guest cabins and a dining room, the lodge was open just during the summer months, as Ronald and Myrtle worked for the Florida East Coast Railroad the rest of the year.

After the Tennessee Valley Authority condemned the area where the lodge was located in 1956, the Mehaffey family built a new home for Caro-Mi off Highway 176 outside Tryon. Renamed to Caro-Mi Dining Room, gone were the lodges and cabins, and returning were the classic Southern dishes based on Mrs. Mehaffey’s personal recipes, including the restaurant’s famous macaroni salad and coleslaw appetizers.

Several other families have owned Caro-Mi since the founders’ retirement in 1963. The business is currently under the ownership of the Stafford family, who purchased the restaurant in 1990.

According to Dane, who has taken over the day-to-day operations of the business from his parents, Charles and Annette, the family is more like careful stewards than anything else, preserving the same tastes and atmosphere that has drawn customers to the humble wooden cabin for more than six decades.

“We’re just the ones to keep the tradition going, to try keep everything the same as its always been, what so many longtime customers remember,” Dane says.

FABLED TASTES Dane is quite familiar with the Caro-Mi tradition himself, as he has frequented the restaurant since he was a young child. He has loved the establishment’s macaroni salad for as long as he can remember (the slaw was an acquired taste for him, he says), and he always ordered the “Ham What I Am” country ham.

The dishes that Dane and the many others who frequent Caro-Mi love remain beloved staples of the menu today, prepared by head chef David Morrow and his kitchen staff using the same Mehaffey recipes that diners have enjoyed for generations.

The most popular dinner item remains the country ham, which is still cured and smoked the old-fashioned way by the same supplier the restaurant has used for years. The ham is sliced on premises and given a nice brown coat on the skillet before being served to customers with a side of grits, topped with red-eye gravy.

Other longtime favorites are the fried chicken and the mountain rainbow trout, the latter of which is deboned NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

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tableside and served with a dollop of butter and almond slices. All dishes at Caro-Mi are served with sides of green beans, cooked apples and biscuits.

Over the years, the menu has expanded to include dishes such as fried scallops, breaded flounder and, the most recent addition, the grilled mahi-mahi.

While there are plenty of choices on the menu, for many visitors, the highlight of the Caro-Mi experience remains the coleslaw appetizer. In fact, some customers have spent years attempting to learn the secret combination of ingredients behind its addicting flavor.

“My dad always would tell people who ask for the recipe, ‘You can have it — but you have to buy the business,’” Dane says.

A LOCAL INSTITUTION While the mystery behind the Caro-Mi slaw may remain a mystery to all but a select few, Dane is more than willing to share what he feels are the secrets to Caro-Mi’s enduring success — good food and a great atmosphere.

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Caro-Mi Dining Room 3231 U.S. Highway176 W. Tryon 828-859-5200 caro-mi.com HOURS Wednesday-Friday: 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday: 4:30 to 8 p.m.

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Trusted in the Industry.

Rooted in the Community.

• SINCE 1931 •

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This combination has created a base of loyal regulars who are as much a part of the Caro-Mi story as the food, location and staff. A glance at the sports pennants that line the walls of one of the dining rooms is perhaps the most visible demonstration of how Caro-Mi’s frequent customers have left their mark on the business, donating their favorite sport team’s colors to serve as a small reminder of their patronage of the Tryon restaurant.

“We get a lot of out-of-town business, too, especially from the upstate,” Dane says. “For a lot of people, it’s kind of a tradition. Several generations of customers have been coming here. It’s kind of like a destination, a treat to come up here.”

With such a well-established gem on their hands, Dane says he and the staff of Caro-Mi are committed to maintaining the level of quality and service regulars have come to enjoy from the restaurant, and to ensure that first-timers will themselves become enamored by the unique charm of the quaint restaurant.

“It’s a unique dining experience — and it’s definitely Southern,” Dane says. “We’ve made it so that anybody will enjoy it.” •

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Ted Yoakum is the managing editor of Foothills Magazine and the Tryon Daily Bulletin. He can be reached at 269-588-1040 or ted.yoakum@tryondailybulletin.com.

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QUICK BITES

Sweet tastes for the

HOLIDAY SEASON Looking for a tasty dessert to cap off your family’s Thanksgiving or Christmas feast? We have just the dish, one that takes advantage of the tastes of the fall and winter seasons.

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APPLE CRUMBLE PIE

1 sheet frozen pie crust, thawed per package instructions (or your favorite pie crust recipe) 5 large granny smith apples, about 6-7 cups Zest of 1 lemon, about 1-2 teaspoon Juice of half a lemon, about 2 teaspoons 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg For the crumble 1 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 stick cold butter cut into small pieces

About The Rural Seed Adrienne Wilson, head chef and co-owner of Columbus’ The Rural Seed Restaurant, sent us her recipe for Apple Crumble Pie, a perfect dessert for the holiday season. To sample more of Adrienne’s handiwork in the kitchen, feel free to stop by the Rural Seed Restaurant, which is open for breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Saturday, as well as for brunch on Sundays.

The restaurant is located at 322 E. Mills St., Columbus.

For more information, call 828-802-1097 or visit theruralseed.business.site.

INSTRUCTIONS Heat oven to 400 degrees Press the pie crust into a 9 inch pie plate, trimming off the excess and crimping the edges. Put in the fridge.

In a medium size mixing bowl, make the crumble topping by combining 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Toss the ingredients together to evenly combine, breaking up any chunks of brown sugar. Combine the cold butter into the dry ingredients by squeezing and breaking it up with your fingers until crumbs form. Cover with saran wrap and put in the freezer.

Peel and core the granny smith apples. Slice the apples into slices that are 1/8 inch thick and 1 inch long. In a large mixing bowl, toss the apple slices with the lemon zest and lemon juice. Then add in the 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 brown sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Toss to evenly combine.

Take the pie crust out of the fridge and pour in the apple mixture.

The apples should be about 1/4 ­— 1/2 taller than the edge of the pie pan.

Take the crumb topping out of the freezer. Should be very cold and almost hard. This is good. Take a knife or pastry cutter and break up into large pieces. Then, use your fingers to break into smaller crumb pieces, using medium pressure to press into an even layer to the pie.

Place the pie plate on a parchment lined baking sheet to protect your oven if it bubbles over. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, then lower the oven to 350 degrees and bake for another 35-40 minutes, or until the crumb topping is golden and the pie is bubbling.

Allow to cool for at least 6 hours at room temperature, uncovered. I like to make mine 24 hours in advance, and leave it uncovered on the counter. Serve at room temperature or reheated in the microwave for 45 seconds. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Refrigerate after 24 hours. Will keep in the fridge for 1 week.

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FIVE QUESTIONS FOR...

Five questions for…

PAM TORLINA, Conserving Carolina

P

am Torlina, a biologist, has been with Conserving Carolina (formerly Pacolet Area Conservancy) for 12 years.

She has over 20 years of experience as a field biologist, naturalist and outdoor educator. She has worked with the South Carolina State Park Service, the city of Greenville Parks and Recreation-Youth Bureau, the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation, and Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve, in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada, where she has performed annual migratory and breeding bird surveys, surveys on nocturnal owls, hawks and woodpeckers, presented educational programs on birds for adults and children, conducted nest searches and nest record data in the U.S. and Canada, participated in data collection for the most recent Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, and she has volunteered with a licensed bird bander over the past several years.

What is Conserving Carolina?

Conserving Carolina is a nonprofit land trust formed in 2017 by the merger of two local land trusts with deep roots in our communities — Pacolet Area Conservancy and Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy. We serve Polk, Henderson and Transylvania counties in western North Carolina and northeastern Greenville, and northwestern Spartanburg Counties in upstate South Carolina. We help protect and steward land and water resources vital to our natural heritage and quality of life in order to foster appreciation and understanding of the natural world.

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What is your role in the organization?

My title is southeast stewardship manager. I am responsible for stewarding Conserving Carolina’s conservation easements and fee simple properties in the southeast region of Conserving Carolina’s service area (Polk County, North Carolina, and Spartanburg and Greenville counties in South Carolina). Roles include communication with conservation easement landowners, annual monitoring of protected properties and support in the completion of new conservation projects in the southeast region. I also engage with the community by providing education outreach.

What are some of the projects/programs you are involved with?

I am involved with education and outreach to the public within the southeast region, which include our free monthly education series at Walnut Creek Preserve and Landrum Library; leading a free guided spring and fall hiking series for the public; leading guided interpretive hikes; and presenting and teaching for local schools, clubs and civic groups. I have also been working with a botanist, David Campbell, to create “An Inventory of the Significant Natural Resources of Polk County, North Carolina,” which documents 32 significant Natural Heritage areas in the county. The document will be available later this year.

How does Conserving Carolina make the community a better place?

Conserving Carolina makes the community a better place first by helping to protect the land, private or public, which preserves habitat for our native plants and wildlife and protects our water resources; all of which are crucial to a healthy ecosystem and living space for the community. By protecting the land, we can connect the community to the land by opening many places for recreation, from state parks to local greenways, which provide numerous recreational opportunities. Our efforts to provide environmental education programs for children and adults about what makes these places so special and important to protect is also a vital asset.

What do you enjoy most about working with the organization?

What I enjoy most about working with the organization is knowing that the work that I do is making a permanent, positive impact on the environment, now and into the future. The land that we protect today provides habitat, or places, for our native plants and animals to live forever. I also enjoy sharing my love of the natural world with others.

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TOURIST FOR A DAY

THE GORGE See that billboard? That could be you zip lining

STORY BY STEVE WONG PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SARA BELL

O

h my God! I couldn’t believe I was standing on a wooden platform 80 feet up in a tree with four strangers, my wife and a guide — eye-level with woodpeckers and hawks — with the expectation that I would step off into the nothingness, glide through the upper branches to another tree while dangling from a wire — and actually enjoy the experience!

I had thought long and hard before agreeing to zip line at The Gorge in Saluda.

I had seen the billboards on the interstate. I had read a couple of articles about it and looked online at the pretty pictures of blue skies, green mountains and smiling faces. All of the testimonies said it was a great and wonderful experience.

Exhilarating! Breathtaking! Awesome!

But as a man past his prime, I was hard pressed to try zip lining for the first time. I’m not a fan of heights, and my athletic prowess is confined to meditative dog walks on paved roads.

And people actually pay nearly $100 for the privilege of being scared to death?

The online pitch read…

THE GORGE - AMERICA’S STEEPEST AND FASTEST ZIPLINE CANOPY TOUR, OFFERS A THRILLING TREE-BASED AERIAL ADVENTURE IN SALUDA, NC. BEGIN YOUR EXPERIENCE PERCHED ON THE RIM OF THE GREEN RIVER GORGE AND PLUNGE INTO UNTOUCHED WILDERNESS. DESCEND AN UNPRECEDENTED 1,100 VERTICAL FEET IN ELEVATION ZIPPING FROM TREE-TOP TO TREE-TOP ON 11 ZIPLINES, TRAVERSING A SKY-BRIDGE,

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AND DESCENDING 3 HUGE RAPPELS, ALL THROUGH STUNNING OLD GROWTH FOREST, OVERLOOKING 18,000 ACRES OF PROTECTED GREEN RIVER GAMELANDS. Wow! Sounds fun, if you’re an adrenaline junkie.

The short soaring videos were synced to upbeat and contemporary music, and narrated by confident young voices. I read it all and was impressed, in a virtual sort of way.

Watching a scenic website video from the safety of my cellphone, I was slowly building my confidence. It took a while, but eventually, it was game on…

From the very beginning, The Gorge as a facility (166 Honey Bee Drive, Saluda) was impressive.

Lots of wood, decks and railings: like being in a giant high-tech treehouse with cool views of the mountains, spacious seating, glass walls, branded souvenirs and snacks and beer.

The three-hour long zip line tours are scheduled and staggered, so people are seemingly always in some state of prep, if only watching and gathering their courage. The staff was helpful, reassuring and nonchalant.

Even though I knew I was within the weight limitations of 70 to 250 pounds, they weighed me and everyone else. I met the suggested minimum age recommendation of 10, and there was no age limit.

“Reasonable good physical condition?” I was not sure I could pull myself hand-over-hand, upside down, and backwards along a cable, but if the folks I saw coming back from their trip were any indication of how strong I needed to be, I was

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OK. And I wasn’t pregnant.

I was deemed fit to fly.

I signed the waiver of liability, and there I was, being fitted for a safety harness, straps galore, really thick work gloves and a crash helmet. No one else in our little group had ever zip lined before, either.

We were all nervous, some more than others.

“Ah, excuse me, what about this strap, where does it go?

Is this helmet on right? Can I have another pair of gloves that are thicker? Should I go to bathroom now that I’ve got all this gear on?”

The nice young people who were getting us ready were informative and patient. They had a spiel and a process, and I had the sweats.

First things first: a quick group class, mostly about how to get into position to launch and how to arrive gracefully at the next platform.

Once you step off that platform, there’s not much you can do but hold on, and even if you don’t hold on, about the worst thing that can happen to you is the public embarrassment of flailing arms and legs and little-girl screams echoing through the valley. The momentum will carry you to the other side pretty much no matter what.

Dignity aside, they take safety seriously, and you are always tethered to something.

And if you need a helping hand on the other side, the

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two guides are well trained, and in constant two-way communications: one to launch you; one to catch you.

The first to go was one of the guides.

She made it look so easy. With a smile on her face and the wave of a gloved hand, she slipped effortlessly off the platform and into the wild blue yonder, the sound of her suspension equipment hissing against the cable.

About half across the expanse, she let go of the handles, her arms and legs spread eagle for just a moment as she let out a joyous “wahoo!” In the blink of an eye, she pulled herself back together in time for the hands-free 58

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

braking system to kick in, turn around upside down and pull herself handover-hand to the platform, where she would help those yet to arrive.

“See, nothing to it,” the guide on my side of the wire said. Now, it was our turn. “Who’s first?”

I knew that if I didn’t go first, I might not go at all. I stepped forward, and the guide double checked my straps.

I had been prepped well and knew what to expect, but standing on the edge of the platform, looking at the great beyond, was terrifying. The cable looked so thin, strung from one platform to another, like a spider’s thread

stretching from tree to tree.

Below was the Green River Gorge, dense forest, rocks, the ground. And the blue sky, white clouds and sunshine before me seemed to reach out forever.

It was perfectly beautiful, but I was frozen in place, not at all sure I could take that first big step.

The guides were waiting. The other guests were waiting. My wife was waiting.

I stepped…

There’s no getting around it — those few seconds were terrifying. But I quickly got over it and wanted to do it again.

The Gorge Zip Line 166 Honey Bee Drive, Saluda 828-749-2500 thegorgezipline.com

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And again.

That first time, I actually made it across in one piece and with dignity intact. It does feel a bit gangly at the end of the ride, when you’re trying to remember how to turn around and how to start pulling yourself to the platform. It’s easy to screw up that part, and most people do at some point.

It was probably not until I disembarked onto the second platform that I began to decide if I liked zip lining or not.

Not that I really had a choice at this point. The expectation is that if you start the zip line, you finish the zip line. Scaling down a tree into the forest for any reason is frowned upon.

Like nearly everyone, once I did it, I loved the momentary rush of doing something so unnatural in such a natural environment.

I began to feel secure in the quality and safety of the experience. I could 60

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

relax a little.

Oddly, foremost in the immediate rush was the desire to do it again — to quickly conquer the fear once and for all and be left with the pure thrill of it all.

From that point on, each guest took that first step toward zip lining at The Gorge. We shared our personal and similar experiences, and were soon cheering for each other. The guides told jokes, relayed odd bits of information about trees and continued to create a sense of adventure and fun.

Having 11 zip lines of different heights, speeds and scenery was just enough. I was basically zip lining down the mountain at speeds up to 40 miles an hour. When you add the 11 zip lines together, they add up to 1.25 miles, which seems impressive.

I will add that getting used to the rappels is not unlike the zip line.

Again, you have to take an almost leap of faith in technology and knowhow

to step off a platform and trust that harnesses and straps will take you down safety.

It, too, can be an enjoyable experience, once you conquer that fear.

Because I’m local, I can go to The Gorge anytime I want — and so far, I’ve been three times and counting.

It’s a great way to challenge yourself, spend the better part of a nice day in the great outdoors, with a few old or new friends.

You don’t have to, but tip the guides. They make the experience so much more enjoyable. • Steve Wong is a writer living in the peach orchards in Gramling, South Carolina. He can be reached online at Just4Wong@ Gmail.com.

WHY I LOVE THE FOOTHILLS

Mike McCue

Owner of Kangaroo Golf/Condar Company

M

ike McCue has served as trustee for North Carolina Humanities Council, as juror for the Thomas Wolfe Literary Award and in other roles promoting the arts and culture in western North Carolina. He’s owner of a manufacturing company in Columbus that markets to golfers (Kangaroo Golf ) and to woodstove owners (Condar Company).

The firm sells throughout the USA and distributes overseas via warehouses in Canada and in France.

How long have you lived in the Foothills area? What first brought you here?

I first came here in 1983 for an interview to run Kangaroo Golf in Columbus, a couple years after it was sold by its founders to investors in the North. They wanted somebody with marketing expertise and manufacturing experience. I stayed at Pine Crest Inn and was taken to George’s restaurant for lunch. I was truly impressed by the cosmopolitan character, how classy Tryon is and how friendly Polk County people are. And the beauty of these

mountains resonated because I’m a Colorado native.

What has sparked your interest in researching the history of Tryon’s artists and writers?

Right away, people I met talked about how Tryon has always been an artist colony and a writers magnet. And I saw how many artists and writers were active here, but actually nobody seemed to know much about the colony’s history. Since one of my hobbies is investigating America’s heritage, I started researching in my spare time.

In ‘91, Sylvia Moore masterminded the vintage show at Tryon Fine Arts Center of Mazzanovich’s beautiful Impressionist landscapes, the first time there’d been a retrospective exhibit of old paintings gathered from people’s houses.

In 2000, they put on a show of Homer Ellertson’s modernist art from the 1920s and ‘30s. Carolie Bartol was our firm’s staff designer, so she and I volunteered to create an illustrated catalog of what people lent for that show. It was the first publication about Tryon’s art history, I guess.

Then, in 2001, Nancy Holmes at Upstairs Artspace saw what was happening; she invited me, Nowell Guffey and Jim Boyle to put on a show of early Tryon artists, and so we published “Tryon Artists 1892 – 1942,” a book folks appreciated, and they wanted more.

So the next year, I did a show and a book about internationally-known artist George Aid (1872-1938) who had a Tryon vineyard. Then Sue and Hal Mathers came after me about Tryon Toy

Makers in ‘04, and this subject kind of exploded.

What is it that fascinates you about the region’s past?

Tryon is unique, and it’s important in national history.

Before World War II, Tryon was the South’s most important “country colony” of artists and authors. They were attracted by scenery, the climate and by an informal spirit that attracted creative people from all over.

Unusual then, and significantly, they were women as often as men.

Today, virtually every cultural historian is interested in women’s studies.

So, how amazing women gravitated to Tryon is one of its most interesting angles.

What do you love most about the Foothills?

It’s interesting without being crazy.

And not expensive. You can live a civilized life around here without having to be a millionaire.

What is the one place you recommend people visit when they come here?

I tell people go park on Trade Street and walk around. Say, go up the Tryon Steps by the clock and cross the tracks, roam the lanes, discover the place.

People are looking today for authenticity, a sense the French call “terroir” about a locale’s peculiar character and flavor. Tryon doesn’t have chain stores. and it’s not about ritzy shopping for rich tourists, either. It’s genuine.

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Marketplace Foothills Magazine • 828.859.9151

C.N.A $1,000 Sign-On Bonus 2nd $2 shift diff 3rd shift $1 shift diff RN/LPN $2000 SignOn Bonus 7p-7a FT PT 3p-11p and 11p-7a C.N.A II PT Weekends.

Please apply in person at Autumn Care of Saluda 501 Esseola St. Saluda, NC 28773.

Call Bill the Painter for all your painting needs!

We also do drywall repair and wood repair! 32 years experience. Like Bill the Painter on Facebook!

Call 828-899-2647 CUSTOM STONE & BRICK MASONRY •Decks •Water features •Lighting effects •Landscaping. Call Craftsman Services now to schedule your personal consultation.

864-978-2283 email: Craftsman1211@gmail. com Craftsman Services.

YOUR most trusted name for remodeling and repairs. For more information e-mail: craftsman1211@gmail. com Or call: Tel: 864-9782283 Maintenance Unlimited For all your home maintenance needs. We can fix everything but the kitchen sink... no wait, we can fix that too! 828447-0669 or 828-8174284 Days Inn is Hiring Night Auditor (Full-Time or Part-Time) Housekeeping (Saturday & Sunday) Apply in person: 626 W. Mills St. Columbus, NC. 828-894-3303 62

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Deal Asphalt & Paving •Driveways •Parking Lots •Asphalt Seal Coating GC Licensed Contractor Free Estimates Call 864-4730194 or 864580-9892 dealasphalt@ yahoo.com

Hunting Country Rental 1BR/1BA, new kitchen, carpet and painting Mountain views with deck No animals or indoor smoking $1,000/ mo includes water, ac and heat 828-817-4663

Bathliners of the Carolinas Bathtub Refinishing Porcelain,Fiberglass & Ceramic Tile Guaranteed 35 Years Experience Call us NOW!!! 864-9157297 www.bathliners.com

DIXON AC & HEATING • Your HVAC Service & Repair Expert • Serving the Tryon area for 30+ years. Call (828)863-0555

Office/Light Industrial 1,500 sq.ft, includes office, bathroom, roll-up door, one min from Hwy 74 in Columbus, 16ft. ceiling, water and sewer included - $850/month 828-649-7755

Lodge and cottages for lease during WEG. 15 Miles from TIEC. Sleeps 28. Meals available.

524+/- acres Call Alice Cox, Keller Williams Realty (864)266-2816

Dominguez Tree Service, LLC • 828-4607039 Free Estimates • Insured • Stump Grinding • No Job Too Small • Bucket Truck Available Epperson’s Tree Service • Complete Tree Service •Dangerous removals •View Cutting •Lot Clearing •Tree Trimming •Crane Removals Serving NC for 25yrs Fully Insured ISA Certified Arborist (828)606-4980

ARCHITECTURAL GARDENS •Affordable Home/Garden Vintage Decor •Vintage Garden Furniture •Custom Iron Work • Statuary • Gates • Planters • Architectural Salvage • Chandeliers • Fencing•Fountains 188 Johnny’s Rd Inman,SC architecturalgardens188. com 864-401-0674 or 864-473-2042

828-817-2580 garywcorn@gmail. com First Real Estate, Inc 2512 Lynn Road Tryon, NC 28782 www.

TryonRealEstate.com

Acts Home Health Hiring CNA’s Full-Time and PRN, 1:1 Client Ratio, Competitive Pay Apply at www.acts-jobs.org or Call: 828-894-2142

“Come Dilly Dally with Us” 123 W. Marion Street•Shelby Something for everyone!! Antiques, Elephants, Wind Chimes, Golden Books. We have vendor spaces and consignment available!!

CARPORTS, RV, BOAT COVERS Oldest Dealer LARGEST ON SITE Display 12’ to 40’ WIDE 1-3 weeks installed in most cases Johnson Sales,Inc Forest City,NC 828-2455895

Now Hiring Experienced Gutter & Downspout Installers Pay based on experience Call Robie at: 864303-5955 Carolina Gutter Helmet 20yr Local Specialty Home Improvement Company

TRAILERS!!! Utility, Cargo, Dump, Goosenecks Area’s Largest Selection, Best Price in Town!!! NEW 5x8 with gate $730.00 Johnson Sales, Inc Forest City, NC 828-245-5895

PSR PLUMBING •Service•Repair•New Installations•Commercial & Residential Local, licensed plumber with 10+ years experience Call Lou at: 864-326-5051 or visit facebook.com/PSRPlumbing PAST UR TIME FARM Ready to work! 8-wheel Tonutti Hay Rake w/ new wheels, tires great, hydraulics perfect, well maintained, have extra tines $3200-OBO Call/text Steve:954-658-9138 GOOD BY STUMPS Stump Removal Fully Insured Free Quotes! Call Ron at 828-447-8775 Now Accepting Applications for Several Positions • Class A CDL Drivers • Heavy Equipment Operators • Landscape Supply Yard Associates www.hensonsinc.net Click on Employment Opportunities 828-8595836 Holt’s Grading No Job Too Small•Lawncare•Bobcat Service•Snow Removal•Fence Building•Mechanic/ Servicing•Deck

Building/Repairs•Bush Hogging•Driveway Repair•Waterline Repair•Insulation Tractor Work•Trenching Call Brandon Holt (828)8990116 Now Hiring: Hospice of the Carolina Foothills: •Case Manager RN FullTime •RNs & CNAs for Crisis Care as needed Visit www.hocf.org Email hr@ hocf.org EOE LPN positions available at premier retirement community. Flexible scheduling. Excellent benefits, competitive pay. Full-time position.

Country club atmosphere, friendly work environment. Free shift meals. Please apply in person at: 333 Thompson Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792. No phone calls please.

CNA positions available at premier retirement community in Hendersonville, NC. Fulltime positions. Excellent benefits: Medical/dental/ vision/life, short-term disability, PTO. Country club atmosphere, friendly environment, competitive pay. Free shift meals.

Please apply in person at: 333 Thompson Street, Hendersonville NC 28792.

No phone calls please.

HIRING CNA’s, PCA’s & Experienced Med Techs (cert. req’d). Weekday & weekend. Background check & drug screening req’d. APPLY IN PERSON. Laurel Woods Assisted Living & Memory Care, 1062 W. Mills St, Columbus, NC 28722. No phone calls.

Private House Cleaning.

Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly or 1 Time. 15 yrs exp. References upon request. Free In-home Estimates! Marjorie 828817-6350 Mitch Contracting Serving your demolition needs since 1918. We offer roll-off waste containers for home and commercial use. Call 828-252-0694 or visit us at www.mitchcontracting. com.

Nelon-Cole Termite and Pest Control- Locally Owned and Operated.

Pest control including termite, general, carpenter bees/ants, mosquitoes, moisturecontrol including waterproofing, mold/ mildew remediation, indoor air quality and odor control, termite & water damage, repairs.

828-894-2211 Pavillon -PREP/LINE COOK Leads preparation of meals for clients and employees. Requirements: •5 years foodservice experience •AA/ appropriate certification •Clean criminal background/drug screen.

Benefits package for fulltime employees including medical/dental/vision / life insurance, long/ short-term disability, PTO, 401K. View application at: pavillon.org/ employment.php Email: HumanResources SupportTeam@Pavillon. org POLK COUNTY SCHOOLS •Full-time Bus Driver/Custodian Sunny View & Tryon Elementary Custodian-$12.07/ hour Bus Driver-$13.74/ hour+$.25/hour •After-school Workers/ All Schools $10.00/ hour •Substitute Bus Drivers-$13.74/ hour •Substitute Bus Monitors-$11/hour •Food

Service Worker Substitute $8.28/hour Visit:www. polkschools.org/ employment Call:828894-1001 Pure Country Inc. is Hiring BtoB Inside Sales Executive. Must have prospecting and customer management/ strong people skills and the ability to work with professionals in a team environment. MondayFriday, full-time. Send resumes to: karlw@ purecountry.com NOW HIRING!!! Help needed in a 4 horse barn in Gowensville, basic horse care required 5-6 days a week, prefer 4pm7pm shift 864-895-8715 OR 864-360-5286 7-K Garbage Service Monthly • Weekly One Time Service We Pick It Up! 828-894-9948 hyatt2658@yahoo.com Owner - Suzette Hyatt South Carolina Elastic a division of Rhode Island Textile Company is expanding & hiring for full-time positions, all shifts. We offer Medical Insurance, 401k, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Accrued Vacation, Seven Paid Holidays. Apply in person at: 300 Landrum Mill Road Landrum, SC 29356 (8:30am to 4:00pm) A Great Place to Work! Come Join Our Team!

•115-Acres•Mountain Views •Ponds•Rolling Meadow •1,900sq. ft House with Cellar •100yr Cantilever Barn •2hrs from Tryon,NC 1754 Muddy Creek Road Dandridge,TN $1,040,000 Details/Additional Photos Contact:Wynne Kenworthy 252-229-9654 or email skyedancefarm@ yahoo.com

Fifth Wheel 32 Ft. 2007 Sundance by Heartland Three Slides. Fully Loaded Like New $14,500 OBO Call: 864-804-0035 or 864-895-1278 VFW Post 10349 Annual Turkey Shoot. Every Saturday Until December 9th. 10:00am-1:00 pm (except holidays).

We supply the shells.

12ga/16ga/20ga/410ga Lot of good prizes! 3788 E Hwy 108, Mill Spring (828)817-9775 (828)8170470 WARRIOR MET COAL NOW HIRING Located in Brookwood, AL Immediate need for experienced: •Underground Miners •Electricians •Maintenance Foreman •Supervisors Apply online: www.warriormetcoal.com Meditation FREE Every Wednesday. Qigong class: 6:30-7:00p.m.

Meditation: 7:007:30p.m. Come to one or both. No charge, just locals coming together. In Tryon. Call for directions.

828-273-4342 HAY FOR SALE • Alfalfa / Orchard Mix -or- Timothy Hay for Sale. Call 828817-4970 Real Estate for Sale: 10 Miles from TIEC •5 Homes •35 Acre Farm •Airport -All by ownerwww.avionre.com Sandhurst Designs Leather Work: Saddle, Tack & Boot Repair, Brass nameplates engraved & installed, Belts, dog collars & leads made & customized. 687 North Trade Street, Tryon NC. 203-858-0488

Local Scrap Hauler in Reidville, SC seeks qualified CDL-A drivers.

Must have 2 years experience. Newer equipment & competitive pay. To apply please call 864-486-0400 3BR/3BA furnished, custom-built home: Bright’s Creek community.

Month-to-month $2,850/ month plus utilities. Oneyear lease $2,650/month plus utilities. $2000 deposit. References/credit check required. Available October 1. Call/Text 828595-0882 VRBO Listing #1356630 Double-wide Trailer for Sale on almost an acre, between Holbert Cove Road & Green River Cove Road. Priced to sell as-is!

828-894-6183 5.5 Acres of Farm Land: Cooley Spring Community of South Carolina. Beautiful area, 700ft road frontage, public water, 30min from Equestrian Center. 864384-4392 Taking applications now! Available October 1. 2 Modular homes for rent. Both 3BR/2BA. Approximately 1600 square feet, recently remodeled. Located on horse farm, 4 miles form TIEC. $1000/ month, $1000 deposit.

Background check required. Call 828-8632029 Professional House Painting by Shannah • Interior, Exterior & Pressure Washing • Call 828-748-5363 Free Estimates Available!

For Lease or Sale: Commercial/Industrial Metal Buildings, 43,200’, High/Low Docks, Offices, Spindale, 3 phase.

Properties UnlimitedCommercial Division: 828-287-0750 Rojas Maintenance 7 Gardening •Tree Trimming •Landscpaing •Mulch Services FREE ESTIMATES!!! Horacio Rojas: 864-518-6793 Bush Hog Work done on Saturdays. 6” bush hog with 4WD tractor.

Call 828-674-7940 1BR/1BA APARTMENT FOR RENT - TOWN OF TRYON. Charming historic home with garage space.

Private location. All utilities & cable included.

References required. $950/month. Brokerowned. 828-817-0755 WINE & SPIRITS RETAIL STORE MANAGER NEEDED in Landrum, SC. Strict qualifications and mandatory requirements.

Desirable benefits. Send formal resume or CV to: doug@odarbyspirits.com.

Deadline is October 15, 2018.

STEPS TO HOPE - HELP WANTED: PRN Shelter Staff Position. Responsible for crisis intervention, answering crisis phone & text imes. 3-5 hours per week working nights and weekends. Valid driver’s license and background check required. Bi-lingual applicants preferred.

Mail resume to: Director of Client Services, Steps to HOPE, PO Box 518, Columbus NC 28722 or email to cm@ stepstohope.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

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ADVERTISER INDEX

Beverly Hanks & Associates

21

McFarland Funeral Chapel and Crematory

Boon Choo

53

New View Realty 9

Brunson’s Furniture Center & Patio Shoppe

33

Odean Keever & Associates, Inc.

Caitlyn Farms Event Center

1

Parsec Financial 11

Carolina Storage Solutions

35

Penny Insurance 49

Carruth Furniture 45

Polk County Transportation 27

Cason Builder Supply 33

S.G. Power Equipment 41

Claussen Walter 3

Saint Lukes Hospital

EcoView Windows, Doors, Siding

31

ServiceMaster 53

Harper Eatery 17

Southside Smokehouse 57

Heartwood Contemporary Crafts Gallery

7

The Book Shelf 49

Henson Building Materials

25

The Esmeralda Inn & Restaurant

39

Hilliard Lyons 39

The Sanctuary at Red Bull Run

13

Home Technology Consultants 41

Tryon Builders 21

Hospice of the Carolina Foothills

Inside Back

Tryon Fine Arts Center

Lake Pointe Landing

Inside Front

Wells Fargo Advisors 19

45 27

Back Cover

LaurelHurst/Laurel Woods 25

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018

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ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT - WHEN THE HOLIDAYS BECOME A LITTLE TOO HAPPY

My hospital, just in case.

St. Luke’s Hospital understands how the holidays can sometimes get a bit out of control. That’s why we’re proud to offer a 24/7 physician-staffed onsite emergency department with less waiting time than most larger hospitals.

So, relax and enjoy the festivities.

We’ve got you covered.

828.894.3311 SaintLukesHospital.com 101 Hospital Drive Columbus, NC 28722