Life in Our Foothills - July 2025 by Tryon Daily Bulletin

CONTRIBUTORS

Mark Levin, Writer and Photographer

Mark is retired from a career in education, both in and outside of the classroom. He enjoys traveling in his campervan and finding stories about the people and places encountered along the way. You can follow his blog at FoothillsFaces.com as well as at youtube.com/ TheCountryLifeWithColumbusMark.

Linda List, Writer and Photographer

Linda List’s career was spent in the food industry, often surrounded by chocolate and candy. Retirement and the Tryon Daily Bulletin have provided the opportunity for her to share her writing. Growing up in New York on the Canadian border, she lived most of her adult life at the foot of the Rockies in Golden, Colo. And is now enjoying life in Landrum the foot of the Smokies.

Kirk Gollwitzer, Writer and Photographer

Kirk Gollwitzer is a freelance writer, musician, photographer, videographer, and real estate broker specializing in buying and selling homes and horse properties. A former key figure and co-founder of the Tryon International Film Festival, he has done several documentaries and has written two novels.

Emily Williams, Writer and Photographer

Emily Williams is a recent graduate of North Greenville University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing while working as a substitute teacher. In her free time, Emily loves to explore Western North Carolina, try out new coffee shops, and write fiction and nonfiction alike.

Storme Smith, Writer and Photographer

Storme Smith is a writer who lives in the Foothills of North Carolina. He is the co-founder and publisher of Buno Books, and has a passion for the arts. He also enjoys writing about the history, sports and unique people and places of our area.

Pebbles, Writer

Pebbles is the “spokespony” for HERD, or Helping Equines Regain Dignity, a local nonprofit that saves equines from dire conditions and in many cases slaughter. She dictates her monthly columns about her adventures, and what a rescue organization does, to Heather Freeman. Pebbles and Heather can be reached through HerdRescue.org

Jeff Allison Publisher

ON THE COVER

Artist Karen Killian Paws and Paint

(Story on page 24)

Story by Storme Smith

FROM THE EDITOR

As the long days of summer stretch across the Carolina foothills, life here hums with stories waiting to be told—of rivers reborn, music in the morning air, and the art of capturing joy on canvas.

In this month’s issue, Kirk Gollwitzer takes us on a journey along the Green River, where nature’s resilience is on full display. His update highlights the remarkable strides the river has made in its ongoing recovery after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on our area—a hopeful reminder of the healing power of time, care, and community stewardship. Thanks to local efforts and the dedication of volunteers, the river’s renewed vitality is something we can all celebrate.

We also step inside the colorful world of local artist Karen Killian. For nearly 40 years, Karen has dedicated her life to painting dogs—not just their likeness, but the joy, loyalty, and love they bring into our lives. Her work is born from instinct, emotion, and a deep connection to the animals that inspire her. It’s a portrait of a life shaped by creativity and compassion. Her studio is a place where memory and movement meet, and each brushstroke tells a story.

Then, we head to the Landrum Farmers Market, where you’ll find Doug Hurlbert and the sweet, nostalgic sounds of his concertina floating through the weekend crowd. Doug’s music is a key part of the market’s charm—an unexpected delight that brings a smile and a sway to all who pass by. It’s the kind of simple magic that turns a quick trip for tomatoes into a morning well spent.

And, of course, no issue would be complete without an update from our favorite fourhooved correspondent, Pebbles the “spokespony,” who’s got the latest scoop from HERD ranch.

And if you’ve got a story to share—or an idea for something you’d like to see in a future issue—I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a note at jeff.allison@tryondailybulletin.com.

Thanks for reading!

Jeff Allison Editor

FOOTHILLS life IN OUR STAFF

Publisher and General Manager

Jeff Allison

Graphic Design

Zeal Kadhikhaye

Marketing

Lynn Cromer

Stacey Cullen

Distribution

Jamie Lewis

Alex Greene

Administration

Carolyn Christopher

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 Manager, Life in Our Foothills, 16. N. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782, or email to jeff.allison@ tryondailybulletin.com. Life in Our Foothills is available free of charge at locations throughout Polk County and Upstate South Carolina, and online at www.tryondailybulletin.com. Subscriptions are available for $30 per year by calling 828-859-9151. To advertise, call 828-859-9151.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

All Member Exhibit: In The Moment Through Aug. 2

Tryon Painters and Sculptors

78 N. Trade St., Tryon Tryonpaintersandsculptors.com

62nd Annual Fabulous 4th of July Celebration

July 4, 10 am - 10 pm

Downtown Columbus 828-894-8236 ColumbusNC.com

Saluda Tailgate Market

July 4, 11, 18, 25 from 4-6 pm

214 E. Main St., Saluda PolkNC.gov

Line Dancing Lessons

July 4, 11, 18, 25 from 8-9 pm

Silver Spoon Saloon

Tryon International Equestrian Center 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring Tryon.com

Landrum Farmers Market

July 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 8 am - 12 pm

221 W. Rutherford St., Landrum LandrumFarmersMarket.com

Columbus Farmers Market

July 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 8 am - 12 pm

Courthouse St., Columbus PolkNC.gov

Saturday Night Lights

July 5, 12 and 19 from 4-10 pm

Tryon International Equestrian Center 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring Tryon.com

North American Hobby Horse Series

July 5, 12 and 19 from 5-6 pm

Tryon International Equestrian Center 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring Tryon.com

Yoga @ Your Library

July 7, 14, 21, 28 at 6 pm Landrum Library 111 W. Asbury Dr., Landrum Spartanburglibraries.org

Saluda Library Speaker Series: Conserving Carolina - Creating Trails and Greenways

July 8, 2-3:30 pm 44 W. Main St., Saluda ConservingCarolina.org

“The Tortoise & The Hare”

July 10, 2-3:30 pm

Saluda Elementary School Auditorium 214 E. Main St., Saluda 828-894-8721

Business After Hours

Carri Bass Photo & Art

July 11, 5-6 pm 92 Pacolet St., Tryon DowntownTryon.org

JULY 12

Music at the Market Featuring Silver Travis Band

July 12, 7-9:30 pm

Landrum Farmers Market Pavilion 221 W. Rutherford St., Landrum Cityoflandrumsc.com

Top of the Grade Concerts presents Michael Flynn

July 11, 7-9 pm

Ella Grace Mintz Stage McCreery Park, Downtown Saluda Saluda.com

Coon Dog Day Festival

July 12, 8 am - 9 pm Downtown Saluda saluda.com/coon-dog-day/

Landrum Library Speaker Series: The Impact of Bacteria on Plants and Pollinators

July 15, 6-7:30 pm

111 Asbury Dr., Landrum ConservingCarolina.org

Chamber Business After Hours at P3 Animal Assistance Foundation

July 17, 5:30-6:30 pm

112 E. Rutherford St., Landrum 864-457-3694

Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series:

Misunderstood Wildlife and More!

July 19, 10:30 am - 12 pm

Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve

179 Wood Thrush Ln., Mill Spring ConservingCarolina.org

Sippin’ Sunday

Featuring music by Cat Leach

July 20, 4-7 pm

The Saluda Inn

229 Greenville St., Saluda Reservations: 828-388-9027

Sashiko: Japanese Embroidery Techniques

July 22, 3 pm

Saluda Library

44 W. Main St., Saluda Register: asnyder@polklibrary.org

Greenville Zoo: “Discovering Nature’s Survival Secrets”

July 24, 2-3:30 pm

Saluda Elementary School 214 E. Main St., Saluda 828-894-1040

4th Fridays in Tryon

Downtown Tryon

July 25, 5-7 pm DowntownTryon.org

Music at the Market Featuring Rock N Roll Reunion

July 26, 7-9:30 pm

Landrum Farmers Market Pavilion

221 W. Rutherford St., Landrum Cityoflandrumsc.com

Train Tales: “Train Photography Tips”

July 28, 7-9 pm

Saluda Depot Museum

32 W. Main St., Saluda 828-817-2876

JULY 25

Summer Tracks presents Ashley Heath And Her Heathens

July 25, 7 pm

Rogers Park Amphitheater, Tryon SummerTracks.com

Nostalgia Night

July 29, 4-6 pm

Polk County Library 1289 W. Mills St., Columbus 828-894-8721

Equinox: An Online Art & Poetry Journal

July 30, time TBA The Lanier Library 72 Chestnut St., Tryon thelanierlibrary.org

Bluegrass & Tall Tales

July 31, 2-3:30 pm

Polk County Library 1289 W. Mills St., Columbus 828-894-8721

JULY 11

Summer Tracks presents Reedy River String Band

July 11, 7 pm

Rogers Park Amphitheater, Tryon SummerTracks.com

DARK CORNER CLASSIC CAR SHOW IN LANDRUM

Photos by Mark Levin

The streets of downtown Landrum came alive on Saturday, May 31, as the annual Dark Corner Classic car show showcased over 320 classic cars along N. Trade Avenue. The free event attracted car enthusiasts and families alike, resulting in an estimated 3,500 visitors enjoying the event. From iconic American muscle cars and elegant European sports cars to classic sedans, coupes, convertibles, and trucks, the show was a feast for the eyes.

1964 Studebaker GT Hawk owned by Tom Cozzoli.

Car judge Derek Hembree had his work cut out for him. The judges checked out over 300 classic cars.

Mark Tate with his 1966 Ford Galaxy 500.

Jerry Price, 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air.

The Chevrolet Camaro was the Official Pace Car from the 53rd Annual Indianapolis 500, held in May 1969.

Rick Garner is the original owner of this 1977 Chevrolet K10 (4W Drive).

Mae & Patrick Barnes with their 2012 Cadillac CTS-V.

Engine from the Chevy Chevelle.

Julia Walker, 1940 Ford pick-up F100.

1969 Chevy Chevelle SS and its original owner, Franklin Martin.

2015 Ford Mustang owned by Carrol Rochester. The driver and the person riding shotgun were scared out of their wits.

1965 427 Shelby Cobra is owned by Karen & John Gentile.

This 1929 Ford Model A pick-up was a “peach flat” used in the orchards. It’s owned by Tom Wiggs.

Healing Waters After the Storm

The Green River’s Remarkable Comeback

A sweeping view from the Green River Game Lands, from the top of the switch-backs, shows the mountain terrain that surrounds the watershed. This area remains a haven for paddlers and hikers alike.

Story and photography by Kirk Gollwitzer

Irecently drove down Green River Cove Road expecting to see what I had seen months earlier—twisted debris, mangled banks, and a river corridor that looked like it would take years to heal. What I saw instead left me stunned. The road was open, the parking area at Fishtop was accessible, and while the beauty of the place hadn’t yet fully returned, the level of recovery was far beyond what I ever imagined possible in such a short amount of time. I never thought it would be cleaned up this much, this fast.

While the river is not quite back to normal—beautification and finishing touches are still on the horizon—it’s clear that an enormous effort has been made. The damage from Hurricane Helene was immense. A “pulse” of water from the Narrows barreled into the lower stretch, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Trees, sediment, metal scraps, household junk—you name it—were dumped along the riverbanks and wedged into rocks and crevices. The energy dissipated over the first mile and a half below Fishtop, but even downstream, the signs of disorder were everywhere.

Then the troops arrived. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mobilized in late January with a wave of heavy equipment, working 16-hour days to clear massive debris. Meanwhile, nonprofit organizations like MountainTrue and the Green Riverkeeper have remained on the ground, cleaning up the human-scale mess—everything from step ladders to mufflers to tweezers. They continue to comb the riverbed and banks, with work expected to continue through late May.

Their goal is simple: make the river safe for recreation and gradually restore its beauty.

For months, heavy machinery operated tirelessly, loading enormous piles of downed trees, rocks, and debris into trucks. The material was hauled into a large flat area in Mill Spring, directly across from Polk County Middle School. There, it was separated, ground into mulch, and processed for removal. The operation, led by AshBritt Environmental and coordinated with other tree-removal contractors, helped clear a massive volume of storm-related waste. The effort was essential to restoring both safety and access to the lower Green.

A lone fisherman casts into a quiet eddy on the Green River. Anglers are among the many outdoor enthusiasts who cherish the river’s clear waters and remote setting.

The Green River itself winds through the Green River Game Lands, a 14,000-acre tract in Henderson and Polk counties managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The river is a rare gem—pristine, scenic, and one of the few free-flowing rivers in the country that supports both recreation and limited commercial activity. It flows roughly 16 miles from Lake Summit to Lake Adger and includes three distinct sections: the Upper Green, the Narrows, and the Lower Green. The Upper Green begins just below Lake Summit Dam and offers a four-mile intermediate paddling stretch down to the confluence with Big Hungry Creek. From there, the Narrows—a world-famous, three-

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Two paddlers take a quiet run on the Green River, which flows through more than 14,000 acres of protected game lands.

At the staging area in Mill Spring, crews sort and grind debris hauled out of the Green River corridor. AshBritt Environmental is processing the material.

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mile Class V section—begins. This is where expert kayakers test themselves each fall during the Green Race. That section took a brutal hit from the storm and, by all accounts, has been permanently altered. The takeout for the Narrows is Fishtop, which is also the starting point for the Lower Green, a six-mile stretch ideal for tubing and beginner paddling, ending at Big Rock Access. Two more miles downstream, the river feeds into Lake Adger.

A special thanks goes to Tim Bell, co-owner of Green River Adventures, whose insight into the river’s layout and evolving regulations helped describe the context and clarity of this report.

For decades, the Green River has been a beloved playground

A solo kayaker navigates calmer waters on the Green River. While recreational use is slowly returning, many businesses remain in recovery mode.

A temporary stoplight controls one-lane traffic along Green River Cove Road, where floodwaters reshaped the landscape and infrastructure.

for locals and tourists alike, especially in the summer when tubing companies move thousands of visitors down the Lower Green. On peak days, it wasn’t uncommon to see 500 to 1,500 tubers from multiple operators floating shoulder to shoulder, creating both joy and chaos on the water. Those days aren’t entirely gone, but they may never look the same again. The hurricane hit just as the Wildlife Resources Commission was finalizing a new commercial permitting system. Back in 2022, the agency invited outfitters—kayaking schools, tubing companies, fishing guides, and birding organizations—to a series of fo-

The Fishtop Access Area—operated by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission—was significantly impacted by the flood but is once again open to the public.

cus groups to discuss regulation models from other states. They were looking to bring consistency, accountability, and safety to what had become an increasingly crowded and loosely managed river. The result is a newly implemented permit structure requiring insurance, safety protocols, data reporting, and personal flotation devices for all users. Alcohol is now prohibited within 50 feet of the river. Tubing operators will need to adjust quickly, especially the older ones that had their own culture of rules.

Some businesses won’t return. Others are retooling, downsizing, or temporarily shutting down to meet the new standards. While tourism will be

noticeably down this year and activity will slow, the changes are part of a longterm goal. Over time, this new structure should lead to a more organized, safer, and better-regulated recreational experience. The Green River, for nine months out of the year, is a pristine slice of wilderness. And even during tubing season, when it turns into a different kind of beast, it deserves thoughtful stewardship.

If there’s a silver lining to Hurricane Helene, it’s that it forced a long-overdue reckoning with how we use and protect this river. The state isn’t setting firm limits yet, but they are watching. Carrying capacity—the number of people and commercial outfits a river

can sustain without harm—is something many other rivers already enforce. The Green River isn’t there yet. But this moment of reset may help North Carolina get closer to that vision. As a final thought, I would hope that this massive and efficient recovery might serve as a hopeful signal to other storm-ravaged regions—places like Lake Lure, Swannanoa, Asheville, and the hard-hit stretch along Highway 176 between Tryon and Saluda, where the damage included far greater human costs. But with the delays and denials from FEMA now making headlines, I’m not entirely sure it will. It’s hard not to see the progress here as both deeply impressive—and just a little bit ironic.

Cleared riverbanks along the Green are now stabilized with rock, helping prevent further erosion after floodwaters ripped through the region.

Paws

and

Paint

The Canine Artistry Karen Killian

Story by Storme Smith

“You can never go wrong adding a dog to a story,” once remarked author Jim Butcher, pointing out that almost everyone loves dogs. Karen Killian, an artist from Tryon, has taken that idea even further, demonstrating that including a dog in a painting is equally irresistible.

Killian has dedicated her life to capturing the essence of dogs and the joy they bring to our lives. With a career spanning nearly four decades, Karen's artistic journey is nothing short of inspiring. It is rooted in spontaneous moments, deep connections with animals, and a community that celebrates creativity.

Karen's journey into the world of painting began in a rather whimsical way, reflecting a childhood adorned with vibrant imagery and laughter. "It was a Norman Rockwell scene," she recalls. After school, she and her friends would gather, laughing and sipping Cokes in her friend’s brightly decorated bedroom. It was during one of these carefree afternoons that she picked up a pencil and sketched a copy of Alexander Hamilton from her textbook.

“Cheshire Tide,” 1987, began Killian’s love affair with the spirit of dogs in art.

“I didn’t know or ask why, but it was my first drawing!” This moment was the beginning of a lifelong passion for art.

Fast forward to 1987, and Karen found herself reawakened in her artistic pursuits while walking her first Golden Retriever along the eastern shore of Maryland. A simple photograph of her dog sitting on a dock by the Chesapeake Bay captured her heart and reignited her passion for drawing.

“Cheshire Tide” was born from this moment, Killian explains, leading to a commitment to paint

commissioned portraits of dogs and children. Her first commission, priced at $150, launched a career filled with rich storytelling through art.

“From head-studies in graphite to detailed watercolor portraits, I’ve never stopped studying,” Karen reflects. “I believe that every painting tells a story.”

Her collaboration with The Orvis Company, starting in 1998, helped her understand the nuances of customer wants, crafting artwork that resonated with pet owners and connoisseurs

Karen and the book’s cover model, Aslan, in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

Killina signing books at Scarpa Alta, a gift shop in Winchester, Virginia

“They wanted paintings that ‘tell a story,’” Karen explains, leading her to embrace oils as her primary medium today.

One particularly delightful project of Karen's is her “Cocktail Series,” born during a casual evening with a friend and longtime client. Over cocktails, the two of them brainstormed playful titles, including “Bottoms Up!” featuring a Golden Retriever in a comedic pose.

“We were just having fun with words; we don’t actually advocate drinking alcohol with your dogs,” Karen chuckles, highlighting her lighthearted approach to art. The series showcases her creativity in a unique format, blending humor and artistry that engages her audience.

After spending 25 years in New England, Karen sought a change that would lead her south. It was 8½ years ago that she stumbled upon Tryon Painters and Sculptors Gallery and felt an immediate connection.

“I stayed for 45 minutes and never quite left. Magic brings many to Tryon,” she recalls, acknowledging the enchanting pull of this artistic community

nestled in the mountains.

In March 2024, while sipping coffee on a dreary morning, inspiration struck Karen, leading to the creation of her book, “Cheers!” Most of the paintings featured were done for a show at The Dog & Horse Fine Art Gallery in Charleston between 2016 and 2017. After the originals sold out, Karen yearned to share her work with a wider audience. Available at The Bookshelf in Tryon and through her studio’s website, “Cheers!” is a

celebration of her artwork and the stories behind it.

As for the town of Tryon, she cherishes its reputation as the “Friendliest town in the South” and appreciates the rich array of arts and culture thriving in this small community. In a delightful twist of fate, Karen’s friend from her childhood, whose bedroom was her first studio back in 1959, recently moved to Tryon, just five minutes from Karen’s studio. “I hadn’t seen her since we graduated high school,” she shares,

From the back of Killian’s book, Cheers!

celebrating yet another miracle story that shows how the unique aura of Tryon brings people together.

Currently, Karen has several commissions for Golden Retrievers on her agenda and is already working on the theme for her next book. She encourages visitors to her website to sign up for her newsletter. For more information on Karen or to view her work, visit her website, watermarkstudio.com.

Cheers! can be purchased at The Bookshelf in Tryon or online at The Watermark Studio.

A Concertina Player Creates A Market

Story by Linda List, Photos submitted by Landrum Farmer Market

If you visit Landrum’s Farmers Market and hear some background music floating through the air, you will discover that the source of the melody is

Doug Hurlbert, who is playing what appears to be a small accordion. It's actually a concertina, a small bellows-type instrument that, although it resembles an accordion, actually is quite different in the way it produces sound. While it does have bellows, it has buttons on both sides instead of keys.

The Landrum Market first enjoyed Doug's musical talents when the market was held on Trade Street in Landrum. He would show up by the railroad tracks and begin to serenade the vendors and visitors.

“I lived in Minnesota when I was young and took accordion les -

PacJam students join in the music

Doug Hurlbert

sons at age 7,” Doug explains. “When I was 14, my Dad gave me a Hohner Concertina that I still play today, and I’m now 67.”

Hohners are known to make harmonicas, and the concertina can be described as a harmonica in a box.

“I went to college in Raleigh at NC State and played at weddings, bars, and chancellor receptions,” Doug shared.

Doug can read music but doesn’t read music to play.

“I prefer to play by ear. If I hear a song, I can play it. Once, I met a Frenchman who wanted me to play an Alsatian song. I didn’t know the song, but we found it on YouTube. After I listened a few times, I was able to play it for him,” he smiles.

“There’s no batteries or power, just the pushing and pulling produces the sound. If you heard the music in ‘How The West Was Won,’ that was a concertina. Concertinas were also featured in ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘Around The World In Eighty Days’.

Over the many years of playing, Doug has learned the history of concertinas and discovered there are different types of this interesting, six-sided instrument. They were first used as a folk instru -

Doug Hurlbert playing a Steirishe Harmonika

Doug’s six-sided Duet concertina

Doug’s original drawing for proposal

ment and became more formal in the 1820s. Depending on the country where it's played, Russia, Argentina, Irish, or Austria, for example, the sound can vary. Austrian is heavy on bass, Irish relates to folk music, and English is more formal.

One type, the Duet, is very rare. Only one manufacturer in Washington state, Wim Walker, is still making these. Walker created a Duet concertina for Doug. Duets can play a melody on the right side and bass accompaniment on the left, which the oth -

er concertinas can’t do.

Doug gets a little misty when he confides, “It's the joy of my life. When I was young, around 8 or 12, I was always glad when my accordion practice hour was up. Lawrence Welk played the accordion, and countless American children took lessons on these instruments, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s – myself included. But now I love to play for hours.”

His image playing has been created by four different artists.

“Once, a Greenville customer excitedly told me he had just viewed a painting of me in a gallery down the street. I had no idea it was there,” he chuckles.

“One day, my daughter phoned me and related that I had won a Blue Ribbon at the Tennessee State Fair. I couldn't imagine what she was talking about. I’d never been to the Tennessee State Fair. She surprised me by entering a painting of me, and it won First Prize.”

Alice Jackson’s painting of Doug hangs in the market along with her other wonderful watercolors of longtime vendors, includ -

PacJam students join in the music

ing Joe Cunningham, whose dream of an official market came true.

After playing regularly at the Market on Trade St., Doug became acquainted with Joe Cunningham and Joyce. The City of Landrum wanted to relocate the market to a new building. The grass along Trade St. was uneven, and space was becoming crowded. Joe had a vision for a structure that would provide the vendors with cover from the weather, create a smooth walking space, offer public restrooms, and be used for other possible events.

Doug is an architect and originally specialized in church architecture. When the veterinary office where is wife was practicing needed a new building, they insisted that Doug be the architect. “It was a field I knew nothing about. A veterinary clinic has very specific needs and I had to learn them all.” Doug and his wife are the parents of two grown daughters.

The city had received three proposals when Joe discovered Doug hadn't submitted one. They needed one more submittal, and he encouraged Doug to be involved. Doug laughs, “I was very busy at the time and wasn't sure I could develop a complete project. But I had ideas. I envisioned

Joe Cunningham Pavilion

it looking like a peach shed, an agricultural feel because that's what it's about. I imagined bringing in the quilt blocks that are scattered around Landrum into the proposal. It would suggest a connection with the downtown area. It was a pretty basic submittal, just an idea really.”

The city liked what he offered. Instead of being heavy on details, it communicated the proper look and feel they were looking for.

The city investigated different locations. It was difficult to find land large enough to accommodate a building that could accept the number of vendors and customers they expected to host each week. One plot of land was purchased at the strip mall on Highway 14. As the design became more detailed they realized that side of the parking lot wouldn't be big enough so the plot on the other side

A portrait of Doug Hurlbert by Alice Jackson

was purchased. The previous lot could serve as occasional extra space for craft vendors. The strip mall offered a large parking area and convenience to downtown.

The pandemic interfered with construction and it was a year before the structure was completed. Trusses had been installed and photographed for approval when a microburst came through the area on Thanksgiving and completely collapsed it all. The building finally

MEMBER EXHIBITS seven times a year

2ND

4TH FRIDAY open until 7 p.m.

TUESDAYS at TPS events

became a reality for the opening of the 2022 market season.

Doug’s extraordinary design, featuring colorful quilt blocks on the garage style doors, has contributed to the overwhelming success of the Joe Cunningham Market Pavilion. It’s featured on t-shirts and other useable items at the market and is often used as a logo representing Landrum.

Doug's concertina still provides background music for the market and has evolved into a larger presentation. Frequently, students from Bob and Amy Buckingham’s Tryon

PacJam group, plus other musicians, drop in creating a group of ten to twelve players who enjoy playing old time music. Young children and a few smiling dogs can often be seen watching and listening in awe of the sounds and frequently dancing to the

rhythms.

The Landrum Farmers Market is located on Highway 14, just across the railroad tracks that run along Highway 176. It’s open Saturday mornings from 8 am to noon, April through October, with a winter market in Novem-

ber and December.

If you’re wandering the market and hear strains of what sounds like a harmonica, follow the notes. You'll enjoy meeting Doug and his drop-in band while enjoying the market and the music.

A PacJam student joins in the music

Heather Freeman with Elsa, recovering after losing her foal

Our Rainmaker

By Pebbles

SOS—we urgently need a rainmaker! Why, you ask? Because our pastures are bone dry and funds in our coffers are low to support HERD rescue equines.

Native American rainmakers can conjure up rain, bringing relief to parched places where life hangs in the balance depending on enough rain. The steps to these ancestral rain dances are handed down through oral tradition. The Zuni people of New Mexico wear feathered masks, summoning rain to quench the thirsty crops.

Our all-volunteer organization relies solely on donations. We watch and wait for the rain and a rainmaker.

This year has been challenging for raising money. We have purchased copious amounts of hay to offset the lack of rain. No rain means no grass to graze. HERD also needs an extraordinary person, a powerhouse rainmaker, to help us. An individual who can bring funding, more adoptions, or even intangible prestige to our organization.

In early spring, my mistress Heather Freeman was drawn to a pregnant American Mustang captured on reservation land. She had a crude brand carved into her neck and on her shoulder. She was owned by a Texas horse dealer who sells equines to the public. He sends horses that don’t sell on to slaughter in Mexico. HERD had no funds to help her.

Heather and I decided we had to intervene.

Upon her arrival, the Mustang was exceedingly fatigued and so thin. It was hard to believe she was carrying a foal. Her triangular-shaped hips protruded sharply. When she jumped off the horse trailer, she willingly entered her quarantine pasture, collapsing with fatigue. She had endured a long haul. This horse was born wild and free. She possessed gentle eyes.

I suggested we name her Elsa, and Heather agreed it was a good fit.

For a month, Elsa ate enthusiastically. She did not gallop around her field like most newcomers. Instead, she rested in our attentive care. Not a drop of rain had fallen since her arrival. It was difficult to determine when Elsa would deliver her foal. I kept an eye on her. Heather checked her udder daily, which was steadily enlarging, swollen with milk.

“Heather, go quickly to Elsa’s pasture, there is something white on the ground next to her, and I cannot determine what it is from my paddock,” I neighed as grain service began in the early morning hours.

Volunteer Bill McClelland, Heather’s husband Scott Homstead, and Heather drove quickly out to Elsa’s field. As they got closer, it began to rain, a cold, steady rain. There on the ground lay a snow-white foal with black

Rainmaker wrapped in blankets

ears. It was a medicine hat filly. A patch of black also ran down her back, and a black feathery pattern was under the neck and around the tail.

Medicine hat horses are rare. They supposedly also have special supernatural protection powers, according to Indigenous people. Technically, a medicine hat horse is a pinto horse, characterized by alternations of white and dark markings on the coat. However, their dark spots are sparse and generally found on the head and ears. It is believed that anyone riding a medicine hat is shielded from harm. If both eyes are blue, like our Rainmaker, the horse is said to be even more powerful. Medicine hats were often ridden by the so-called medicine men – the healers of the tribes.

What was alarming was that our new foal’s head was still covered in the birth sack with only her nostrils uncov -

ered to breathe. This rather large baby was visibly shaking in the rain. Scott leaped from the Kubota to run into the pasture and assist the foal. Elsa stood about five feet from the baby, protective but not engaged. Scott carefully picked up the foal and carried her into the nearby covered shed, positioning her out of the rain. He rubbed the foal and sent Heather and Bill back to the barn to bring warm blankets and to call the veterinarian.

Elsa seemed accepting of the help. Scott lifted the foal to encourage her to stand and nurse. She had blue eyes and very pink skin. Heather returned with blankets and exclaimed, “Pebbles wants us to name her Rainmaker, as her birth brought us magical rain after a month of no relief.”

Despite Scott’s repeated efforts, Rainmaker could not support herself standing and collapsed. Still

Scott and Bill McClelland attending to Rainmaker

Elsa at the livestock lot, riding for her life.

unable to nurse, we attempted to give her a foal formula with colostrum. We brought both Elsa and the newborn foal into the main barn. Elsa seemed puzzled by the situation. She was not attentive to her baby. Instead, she watched us feed Rainmaker while she ate hay. It was as if she knew something was wrong with her newborn daughter. The vet surmised that it had been a long and difficult

birthing. Something was internally wrong with this foal. It turned out that Rainmaker had Overo Lethal White Syndrome, a genetic mutation that appears in horses with white markings. A foal must obtain two copies of the mutated gene to have this disease. These foals are born alive with blue eyes, pink skin, and a white coat. They can have small black markings on their head,

Scott Homstead bottle-feeding Rainmaker

Elsa with Rainmaker resting in a stall.

mane, or tail. At birth, the foals appear normal except for their unique coloring. Foals with OLWS usually die within a few hours or days because of damage to the intestines or a buildup of toxic waste materials in the blood.

Elsa is a pinto. She was likely impregnated by a pinto stallion. Both horses were carriers of the mutated gene. Poor Rainmaker never had a chance. The disease is fatal. No treatment is available. She died that evening quietly in the stall with her mother. The gift she brought us was rain, and it has been raining consistently since her departure.

She lives on in the downpours, bringing relief to the ranch. Now, we wait for another type of Rainmaker to appear and make hay for us while the sun is shining.

Elsa, exhausted after the long labor with Rainmaker

QUICK BITES

Chicken-fried finger foods

Country-fried or chicken-fried are terms given to breaded and deep-fried poultry and meat. In fact, chicken-fried steak is an institution in the American South, where thinly sliced cuts of cubed steak are prepared in this way and served with country gravy and biscuits. There’s not much room for improvement in this classic… or is there?

In “Best-Ever Steak Fingers,” chicken-fried steak gets a makeover into easily picked-up finger foods tailor-made for dipping in a savory sauce. They are perfect for picnics and meals on the go. Dig in!

1. Preheat oven to the lowest temperature.

Best-Ever Steak Fingers Serves 6

Veggie oil for frying

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons all-purpose steak seasoning, divided

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg

4 pounds beef cube steak

Dipping sauce

1 cup mayo

1⁄2 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons yellow mustard

1 package dry Italian salad dressing

2 tablespoons dried dill

2. Pour 1 inch oil into a large cast-iron or other thick-bottomed skillet. Turn heat to medium low. Place the flour in a shallow pan. Sprinkle half the steak seasoning over flour, and mix together.

3. Cut steak into 1-inch strips. Add the rest of the steak seasoning, rubbing into each piece. Turn heat to medium on skillet. Place each strip in the flour mix, then into the milk and egg mix, then back into the flour. Shake off excess and place each strip on a plate. Repeat until all strips are coated.

4. Sprinkle a few drops flour over oil. If it sizzles, it’s ready to fry. Using tongs or a fork, place strips side by side in hot oil. Don’t crowd the pan, or it will cool the oil.

5. After about 2 to 3 minutes, when strips start to brown on bottom, turn over. When second side is brown, remove and place on a cooling rack that has been set on a cookie sheet. Set the sheet in the preheated oven. Repeat until all fingers are cooked.

6. In a bowl, whisk together all dipping sauce ingredients.

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Tryon Fine Arts Center’s New Signature Series Season Rocks, Stomps, Swings, Sways

When the music starts, it will be hard to sit still — whether you’re on your feet hitting those high notes ala Freddie Mercury or swaying to a haunting Appalachian tune.

Join us, as we bring these world-class performers to our beautiful foothills in Tryon Fine Arts Center’s new Signature Series concerts. All shows on the Veh Stage — 7:30 pm

Friday, September 12, 2025

MERCURY: STORIES & SONGS OF QUEEN’S LEGENDARY SINGER

World-renowned countertenor, Terry Barber, and a Tony-winning band pay tribute to the man who taught a generation how to rock — Freddie Mercury!

Friday, November 7, 2025

GENTLEMEN’S QUARTET

Classical meets Pop! From Beethoven to John Legend, GQ’s sophisticated arrangements fuse multiple genres with virtuosity and humor.

Saturday, February 21, 2026

TUBA SKINNY

From traditional jazz, to jug band music, spirituals, to ragtime, New Orleans R&B and more, Tuba Skinny reflects early 20th century Americana.

Saturday, May 16, 2026

MARK & MAGGIE O’CONNOR

Grammy Award winners individually, Mark & Maggie O’Connor blend their different musical styles from Americana to classical for an evening of uplifting entertainment.

Season seats on sale now. Inividual tickets available July 18