Life In Our Foothills April 2016

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

April 2016

Bommer Industries What’s New at the Block House April 2016

Prepare now for the event of the season

Holding it all together for more than a century

Andy Millard

Setting his sights on Washington, D.C.

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Editor’s note

W

hen Vince Verrecchio called a few months ago and said he wanted to run a story idea by me, I could hear a little trepidation and uncertainty in his voice.

“What about a story on hinges?” he asked.

I’m sure I had a perplexed, “Are you serious?” look on my face, with one eyebrow raised.

“There’s this place in Landrum that makes hinges,” he began, and off he went on his story sales pitch. Somewhere in that pitch he mentioned that this Landrum company supplied hinges to Trump Towers, submarines and the White House.

I couldn’t possibly turn down that story idea. “If anybody can do this story justice,” I told Vince, a veteran writer and photographer, “it’s you.”

I have to admit, I’ve never really given much thought to the ubiquitous hinge. They surround us — often hidden, usually quiet — and we use dozens if not hundreds of them on a daily or regular basis without realizing it. They are quite a nifty invention actually, dating back to roughly 2000 BC. They can be plain, ornate, small, massive, intricate, delicate, pricey and everything in between.

And, with Bommer Industries, they are also American-made, which is something we can be proud of in these Foothills, as they’re sent to places the world over. And, while there may be machines behind the process, there are also 80 employees, many of whom have been with the company decades, making the company the success it is today.

I hope you enjoy learning about this company as much as I did,

and, that you also enjoy reading about Polk County’s Andy Millard who is making his first run for high office, a preview of some new and exciting changes at Steeplechase, the April musical jam known as Skunk Fest, and a springtime Q&A from Polk County’s perennial John Vining.

Welcome to April, and welcome to spring!

Claire Sachse, Managing Editor

claire.sachse@tryondailybulletin.com

on the cover PUBLISHER

Betty Ramsey

EDITORIAL

Claire Sachse

CONTRIBUTORS

Gillian Drummond Judy Heinrich Carol Lynn Jackson Leah Justice Linda List Michael O’Hearn Pam Torlina Vincent Verrecchio Steve Wong

MARKETING Kevin Powell Magan Etheridge PRODUCTION Jamie Dawkins Layken Gibbs Robyn Holm Keith McCoy ADMINISTRATION Ashley Brewington DISTRIBUTION Jeff Allison Austin Kempton Evan Plumley Austin Hylemon

Employees of Landrum’s Bommer Industries Photo by Vincent Verrecchio

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 Inc. [the Publisher]. 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 Street, Tryon, N.C. 28782, or email to claire.sachse@tryondailybulletin.com.

Life in Our Foothills is available free of charge at locations throughout Polk County and upstate South Carolina. Please visit lifeinourfoothills.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $35 for one year by emailing subscribe@lifeinourfoothills.com or by calling 828-859-9151. ext. 101.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS THROUGH APRIL 20 Mixed Media Show Tryon Arts and Crafts School tryonartsandcrafts.org THROUGH APRIL 22 The Red Suitcase: A Traveling Show Upstairs Artspace, Tryon upstairsartspace.org

The Red Suitcase: A Traveling Show

THROUGH APRIL 8 High School Student Art Juried Exhibit Silent Auction April 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Tryon Fine Arts Center tryonarts.org THROUGH APRIL 16 Spring Show Tryon Painters and Sculptors tryonpaintersandsculptors.com

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THROUGH APRIL 22 New Faces 2016: Artists New to the Upstairs Upstairs Artspace, Tryon upstairsartspace.org THROUGH APRIL 22 Artful Chairs Upstairs Artspace, Tryon upstairsartspace.org FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 5 P.M. “Better Than Ever” Art Show Opening Reception Exhibit through April 30

“Wing Turbulence, Gabriel” by William Henry Price

Isothermal Community College Columbus FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 7 P.M. Masquerade Benefit Ball Sunnydale, Tryon 404-379-5762 SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 8 A.M. Community Garage Sale Foothills Equestrian Nature Center Fence.org

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 7 P.M. “The Full Monty” Tryon Fine Arts Center tryonarts.org TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 6 P.M. Natural History and Ecology of the Carolinas Presented by Todd Elliott Landrum Library pacolet.org THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 5:30 P.M. Shelby Stephenson, Poet Laureate Lanier Library, Tryon lanierlib.org

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 3 P.M. Music In Landrum presents “Cello Times Two” Landrum United Methodist Church musicinlandrum.org SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 4 P.M. Blue Haze concert Foothills Equestrian Nature Center fence.org SATURDAY, APRIL 23 – JUNE 4 Early Summer Show Tryon Painters and Sculptors tryonpaintersandsculptors.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 8 A.M. FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1:30 P.M. PACRun and PACWalk for Preservation Joy of Writing Haiku Workshop Tryon Estates Lanier Library, Tryon pacolet.org lanierlib.org SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 4 P.M. SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 11 A.M. Poetry Competition Award Ceremony Tryon Doggie Day and Reception St Luke’s Plaza and Huckleberry’s Hosted by Keith Flynn downtowntryon.org Lanier Library lanierlib.org

“Seneca,” by Karen Weihs

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 8 P.M. Frank D’Ambrosio’s Broadway “Songs of the Great White Way” Tryon Fine Arts Center tryonarts.org SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 3 P.M. Community Chorus Spring Concert Polk County High School THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 7:30 P.M. Geoff Achison Tryon Fine arts Center tryonarts.org

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS The Campaign for the Annual Fund

110,000

$

TFAC is committed to ensuring that enriching arts opportunities are accessible to our entire community

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 8.P.M. “Calendar Girls” April 28-May 1, May 5-8 Tryon Little Theater Workshop tltinfo.org FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 6 P.M. Juried Show Opening Reception Tryon Arts and Crafts tryonartsandcrafts.org SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 10:30 A.M. The Monarch Butterfly: Biology and Current Status Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve Pacolet Conservancy pacolet.org SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 11 A.M. Horse Power Car Show Downtown Landrum 864-457-2324

The Annual Fund provides critical financial support for TFAC’s daily activities

Arts in education on the stage off the stage operations every gift to the annual fund makes TFAC stronger, more vibrant force for creativity in the foothills

pleAse mAke your giFT

Today gifts of any size make a big impact

DonATe online AT TryonArTs.org 6 A p ri l 2016

Geoff Achison

TABLE OF CONTENTS COLUMNS

26 Country Living 28 Much Ado 30 In Good Taste

FOOTHILLS FEATURED 9 Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea 11 Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Expo

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPOINTMENTS

13 Bommer Industries 20 Andy Millard

37 Calendar 38 What’s New at the Block House 42 Jack Montgomery 48 Horse Farm Conservation

Q&A

PARTING GLANCE

SHORT STORIES

CLASSIFIEDS

FEATURES

32 John Vining 36 Skunk Fest 8 A p ri l 2016

50 Spring’s Azaleas

51 April Marketplace

Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Photos by Claire Sachse

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Polk County Public Library in Columbus marked the end of PBS’ “Downton Abbey” series with an afternoon tea, held March 4. Guests wore period attire, sipped tea from dainty tea cups with sweets and savories, enjoyed a Downton trivia contest, and learned the particulars of British tea customs from Kym Brown, owner of A Southern Cup, a tea and garden gift shop in Hendersonville.

1. Martha Miller, Carol Ten Broek, Sylvia Bella 2. Jen Pace Dickenson, Kym Brown, Amelia Derr 3. Anne Laubengeiger and Marcie Mack 4. Lynda Brinson and Sandy Fultz 5.Winifred Volpe and Barbara Smith 6. Jane Fox and Becky McCall

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SPINDALE, NC

Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Photos by Claire Sachse

Polk County Public Library in Columbus marked the end of PBS’ “Downton Abbey” series with an afternoon tea, held March 4.

Guests wore period attire, sipped tea from dainty tea cups with sweets and savories, enjoyed a Downton trivia contest, and learned the particulars of British tea customs from Kym Brown, owner of A Southern Cup, a tea and garden gift shop in Hendersonville.

1. Anne Regan and Amelia Derr 2. Mary Ann Jones

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Chamber of Commerce Expo Photos by Michael O’Hearn

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The third annual Foothills Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Expo was held at the Landrum Middle School gym on Feb. 27 from noon until 5 p.m. and featured 50 business vendors and sponsors from across the Foothills area.

1. Sharon Painter and Freida Barnes 2. Anita Trouteaud and Deanna Ermson 3. Nicole and Jeff Chapman 4. Tabatha Cantrell

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Chamber of Commerce Expo Photos by Michael O’Hearn

The third annual Foothills Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Expo was held at the Landrum Middle School gym on Feb. 27 from noon until 5 p.m. and featured 50 business vendors and sponsors from across the Foothills area.

1. Jim Starrier, Claire Conrad and Buddy Manson 2. Edith Bond 3. Dennis Nagle 4. Ronald Robbins 5. Josh and Tiffany Freel 6. Susie DeLuciano 7. Delene Morgan, Mary Dunn 8. Hector Gonzalez 9. Kim Karaman, Robert Williamson and Mike Karaman

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Bommer Industries: How the world hinges on Landrum Written and Photographed by VINCENT VERRECCHIO

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o many things in life we take for granted. As you are reading this right now in your home or elsewhere, imagine the scene around you without a hinge.

I would venture that few of us contemplate the ubiquitous hinge or would bother to read about it or introduce it into conversation.

Yet there are 80 or so of our neighbors with a passion and a pride for how the world literally swings on the hinges and pivots they make.

Who amongst us when driving on Hwy. 176 south of downtown Landrum have

noticed the sign for Bommer Industries? Have we wondered what was going on in there? Never guessing that the 120,000 square feet inside the Fifties-style brick building was a historic wellspring of innovation. Never know-

ABOVE: Entering the vast plant, you can hear remote Godzilla footsteps: the beat of machinery with up to 250 tons of power bending and punching flat steel into the knuckled leaf of a hinge.

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ing that when Bommer shipments arrive in locations as far flung as Montreal, Las Vegas, Cairo, and Dubai, a color label on every carton reads Made in USA under an American flag. Another bold color label proclaims BHMA Certified, recognition in the construction industry as a rigorously tested quality product. And right there on the side panel in bold type for all to see—Landrum, S.C. “All of us here are heirs to the vision, inventiveness, and dedication of Lawrence Bommer,” says Charlie Martin, Bommer Industries president.

Innovation may not be a word immediately associated with an invention of such antiquity. A 5,000-year old hinged door found in Switzerland, for example, predates the hinge uncovered under the volcanic debris of Vesuvius, 79 A.D. Both work the same way.

The origins of the hinge are obscure, and like the wheel, the inventor is anonymous. Yet in 1863, Bommer patented an improved single acting spring hinge that automatically closed a door and created a business model of continuous improvement that continues today.

In 1880, he patented the world’s first double

Bommer President Charlie Martin started as comptroller in 1978 and says, “Ah the stories I could tell...there was the time a general at the Pentagon called with a rush order.”

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TOP: Steel blades in a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine sculpt steel rods into precision shapes with tolerances of plus or minus five thousandths of an inch for uniform fit, function, and appearance.

RIGHT: Electric thru-wire hinges for security locking doors such as airport employee access, college dorms, and government facilities are precisely engineered with a proprietary Bommer process to assure electrical integrity.

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acting spring hinge that allowed a door to swing in both directions before slowing to a stop. Charlie notes, “That’s the door you see every time John Wayne pushes into a saloon.

Bommer is on many western movie sets.”

“Our gate springs were invented in 1911, and patents just kept coming. 2002 was our patent on a single acting spring hinge that reduces friction. The most recent patent was less than four years ago,” he continued.

To keep the momentum, a design engineering team meets every three weeks to review and stimulate progress on at least one new

product and two product improvements.

“We design, stamp, press, bend, punch, cut, polish, assemble, and test a wide range of hinge and pivot types and sizes...more than 6,000. We use only raw material sourced from the US...cold rolled steel, stainless steel, and brass...rolls, rods, and some sheets.

A roll of about 4,000 pounds of steel becomes about 1,100 to 1,400 hinges depending on size.” Charlie explained.

The basic hinge involves two leaves with knuckles that engage around a pin with a cap at each end. The basic pivot is a pin that

" All of us here are heirs to the vision, inventiveness, and dedication of Lawrence Bommer."

- Charlie Martin

Tryon Fine Arts Center presents

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protrudes from the top or lower corner of a door and fits into a socket.

When first entering the plant, you note that the employees seem to disappear in the almost three acres of mysterious equipment, pallets and shelves, and lengthy aisles marked into a grid of safety lanes. People on a mission smile and wave in passing or from the distance.

Others cluster around hubs of activity. Individuals in one small group, for example, are at benches assembling hinge components, each person wearing gloves to reduce smudges.

From a far place, you hear Godzilla footsteps, the beat of machinery with up to 250 tons of pressing and punching power. “That’s the sound of making money,” jokes Charlie.

If you peek in the window of a car-sized CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine, you’ll see steel blades sculpting steel rods into precision shapes under a spray of cutting oil. “We hold tolerances of plus or minus

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TOP: An automated process assembles multiple components into a patented design that incorporates ball bearings to reduce friction. LEFT: A team of about 80 of our neighbors pools talent and energy to design, stamp, press, bend, punch, cut, and assemble a wide range of hinges and pivots at the plant outside of downtown Landrum.

RIGHT: When manually assembling hinge components, gloves are worn to help protect polished brass from smudges.

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five thousandths of an inch for uniform fit, function, and appearance,” Charlie says with satisfaction. Five thousandths of an inch is just slightly bigger than the average human hair which is .0039 of an inch.

In a room of doors and panels opening and closing pneumatically over a blank wall, Charlie explains, “In cycle testing, single acting hinges, for example, need to reach one million cycles for UL Certification.” Stewart, design engineer with Bommer for more than 20 years, adds, “But we’ve taken them to 100 million just to prove to ourselves how good we are.”

That last sentence reveals a strong and persistent motivation at Bommer.

“Pride,” says Charlie, “is why every one takes personal responsibility for quality con-

trol. Steve, for example, has been here 34 years and knows that what he does today, precisely setting up a die on a press, makes a difference not only to the end customer but to the next person in our manufacturing process who trusts Steve to always do it right.”

A corporate culture of self-sufficiency and self-worth would be one explanation for a startling Bommer statistic: 32 employees belong to the Over 30 Club. That’s not age but rather the number of years they have been with the company. Charlie says, “I started here as comptroller in 1978. Others have been here longer. One lady says we’ve been Bommerized.

And no mistaking her tone that it’s a good thing.”

While Bommer is not a household name found in retail outlets, it is the standard of

LEFT: Behind the flag is a wellspring of innovation of almost three acres under one roof. ABOVE: Steve, a die-setter, and Charlie Bommer, president, represent a combined total of 72 years of service. They are two of the 32 who have been with Bommer for more than 30 years, adding up to more than 1,100 years of manufacturing experience.

Trusted in the Industry.

Rooted in the Community.

• SINCE 1931 •

quality for commercial and institutional doors as in hospital operating rooms, restaurant kitchens, school lavatories, mall entrances, and occasional submarines. Customers have titles such as Contract Hardware Distributor and Architectural Hardware Consultant.

“We are often surprised who knows our name,” reflects Charlie. ”I remember when Stewart popped in to say he had an order for four special pivots. You mean 4,000 I asked since our orders are usually much larger.”

“No, four.”

“Four? Who do they think they are?”

“The White House.”

“What white house?”

“The one on Pennsylvania Avenue.”

“Then there was the time a general at the Pentagon called with a rush order.” Charlie smiles. “Ah, the stories I could tell about the years at Bommer. You’ve probably heard of Trump Towers...”

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Millard at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. in October 2012.

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Never

half way Tryon’s Andy Millard is running (and walking and biking) for Congress Written by MICHAEL O’HEARN Photos submitted by ERIK OLSEN, DEAN TRAKAS, ANDY MILLARD and ANDREW SOWDERS

Www.IandrumAntiquesFurniture.com

F

olks familiar with the Foothills area may recognize the name Andy Millard, owner and financial planner with Millard & Company in Tryon. Millard, a native of Flint, Mich., has lived in Tryon since the age of 35.

Today, Millard is the sole Democratic candidate running for the seat held by Congressman Patrick McHenry in North Carolina’s tenth district after announcing his run in March 2015.

“I went to graduate school at Wake Forest and then taught school for seven years, became an assistant principal for six years and came to Polk County as the first principal for Polk County High School,” Millard said.

He has been a financial planner, with Main Street Financial and later Millard & Company, since 1994 after leaving the school system. (Millard & Company has recently been acquired by Parsec Financial.)

Doug Wilson is the deputy executive director for the North Carolina Democratic Party. Wilson has met Millard on a few occasions since he started his campaign.

“He’s a very serious man, but easy to talk to and my first impression was that he is a good man,” Wilson said. “He knows North Carolina well and would ride his bike around the entire district to get to know everyone if he could.”

Millard has had a hand in a lot of events around Tryon, including parking cars at the Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival, which he also chaired for eight years.

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ABOVE: In May 2012, Millard traveled to Montana to work on a ranch. According to his friend, Dean Trakas, Millard rarely goes halfway when it comes to anything he does, so it did not come as a surprise to him when he found out Millard had to go out and get the full cowboy wardrobe for his trip.

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“I still love doing that and, barring some unforeseen circumstance,” Millard said, “come mid-June this year I’m going to be out parking cars again.”

He has held two concerts to raise money for charity at the high school and a beauty pageant for men where he came in second place to South Carolina’s Representative Doug Brannon who, in Millard’s opinion, should not have won because he “was a prettier woman than Brannon.”

He’s even run five marathons, including the Goofy Challenge at Walt Disney World in 2013, which requires participants to run a halfmarathon and a full marathon in a weekend.

“It is not for the faint of heart and my friend John Cash says, ‘if you’re going to take the test, be sure you do the homework,’” Millard said.

“You’ve got to train for it and you can’t just

jump off the couch to go run a half-marathon on one day and a full marathon the next day.”

Dean Trakas, the principal architect at BradyTrakas Architects in Tryon, has known Millard since 1999 and takes annual excursions with Millard and their mutual friends. Their first trip was in celebration of Andy’s 50th birthday at a ranch in Mexico.

“That was a real ranch and Andy had to learn how to ride a horse perfectly and be a cowboy,” Trakas said. “Of course, he goes out and buys all of the cowboy wardrobe with the chaps and the perfect hat because Andy never goes halfway through with anything. We were just like, ‘Oh my God.’ That was the best trip we ever took.”

Michael Baughman is Millard’s coworker and said although he’s only known Millard for a few years, he sees him as a mentor and bigger brother.

Millard takes yearly trips with his friends to places such as Mexico and the Bahamas to go fishing out on the ocean. Millard is seen fishing in the Abaco Islands in April 2015 (Photo submitted by Dean Trakas).

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" He’s not a politician. I see him as a public server and if, God willing, he wins and gets started he will come back and be a part of this community again."

- Dean Trakas 24 A p ril 2016

“He’s been helpful in times of need, and everything we’ve done to this point is on a professional level,” Baughman explained. “I see him as a mentor, a colleague and a big brother to me and I know I’ve had an influence on him.

I don’t think you can find any dirt on Andy.

He’s a squeaky clean guy.”

Trakas said Millard has been a good friend and mentor in their 17 years of friendship and has a knack for getting people to come to an agreement on issues.

“He’s an idealist and also one of the most practical guys that you’ll ever see,” Trakas said.

“He’s been a great friend, adviser and confidant to me even if I didn’t particularly want the advice. Not many people can take a room full of people and get them all to get on the same page in a short amount of time like he does.”

Baughman said Millard has to run for Congress because he feels the current political climate could use his personality.

“In this day and age, when someone says ‘I’m running for Congress,’ the reaction is ‘Why in the world do you want that job?’ I think that’s the antithesis of the response we ought to have from people,” Baughman said.

“It’s somewhere we need to be sending our best and brightest and thank God people like Andy want to run for Congress.”

Trakas said he believes if Andy wins in November, he won’t desert Tryon.

“I’ve had friends that have gone into politics and I would rarely see them because they became a part of the Washington scene and got sucked in,” Trakas said. “He’s not a politician. I see him as a public server and if, God willing, he wins and gets started he will come back and be a part of this community again.”

When asked if whether being a principal and teacher has prepared him to run for Congress, Millard said everything he has done to this point has prepared him for his campaign.

The inspiration for running for Congress comes from Millard’s belief that he can simply make a good congressman, despite not needing the job in the first place.

“I think I will make a good congressman, to be honest with you,” Millard said. “I’ve been embarrassed to say that for a while, but I’m not anymore. However, I don’t need the job. That’s one thing that makes this so ironic.”

LEFT: As part of his cam-

paign endeavors this year, Millard is holding roundtable sessions for all of the counties in the district to hear from the community and a panel of experts in each field on issues that are critical to his campaign.

He held an educational roundtable at Isothermal Community College on Feb. 16 with five panelists to talk about issues in education and what Millard can do as a member of Congress to improve education in the district.

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country

LI V I N G

Tryon style Written by GILLIAN DRUMMOND Photo submitted by CHRIS BARTOW

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icturesque Tryon is as diverse as its history; it’s a melting pot of interesting people bringing their individual styles and melding them with a Southern Appalachian sensibility. The bottom line of Tyron style is easy, comfortable, and elegant without pretension.

Architecturally, no matter whether your house is a Carter Brown home, an early 20th century cottage, a middle 20th century ranch or a larger style home built in the last ten years, their overall commonality is an unpretentious way of nestling into the landscape with interesting spaces that make daily living an experience indoors and out.

On the exterior, stone walls and patios with pools and ponds and fountains often create a frame for an unforgettable view. The use of natural materials is also a hallmark of Tryon style.

The interiors of many of these homes, which I have had the privilege of seeing, optimize the same design principles as English country house style. First, they are comfortable, then they are functional, and finally, they are beautiful each in its own understated way. The interior walls are often wood – logs, paneled walls, or wooden beams and posts. Log homes are most certainly a Southern Appalachian tradition; English cottages tend to be made of stone or stucco. However, the 26 A p ril 2016

use of wood as posts and beams and paneling is customary in both styles.

One unforgettable Carter Brown house, originally a horse farm, with its log walls was so well planned and functional with storage spaces in all the nooks and crannies. This house is furnished in its dining room with formal English mahogany furniture, an oriental rug and lots of lovely silver on its sideboard. The formality of the furniture and the silver brings richness to the rustic and the rustic brings relaxed warmth to the formality. It is a room you want to linger in and chat long after dinner is finished. The butler’s pantry is also well planned and makes life easier.

The “coup de grâce” in this house are humorous touches, like the old monkey wallpaper in the powder room, the flying rabbit on the mantle and the squirrel guarding the guesthouse door.

Humor is everywhere you look.

Another old horse farm has had its paneled walls painted in beautiful soft colors, which has lightened and brightened this house buried in the trees. These pretty walls also make a beautiful stage for a fine collection of furniture, rugs and artwork. This house, which was rather simple when built, has had a wonderful portico added to the front and the kitchen has been enlarged and updated to function well today.

One of my favorite houses was built as a horse barn but was turned into a charming home by designer Gwen Bailey a few years ago. It has an open floor plan and all the walls have been lined with rough cut boards cut in a chevron pattern and white washed so it is light and airy and yet has kept its rustic feel. Carolina red stone floors were added which grounded the space and gives it warmth. The main room has a wonderful seating group as well as a snug corner by a fireplace for those cold winter nights. The bedrooms are charming and the kitchen is very functional. The old hayloft is now an added living loft space. I could move in tomorrow. On the exterior there are incredible box wood hedges that snake their way to the small patio just outside the front door.

Enchanting!

Tryon style has been effectively captured in a new house with the beams left exposed in the 10 foot ceilings and hand hewn support columns defining the rooms in a partially open floor plan.

This gives this interior a timeless feel – filled with an eclectic mix of furnishings it makes an easy comfortable home with all the modern conveniences.

Additionally, an abundance and diverse array of animals enhance the Tyron way of life, and includes dogs, cats, birds, and, of course, the animal

that gave Tryon its fame, the horse. They are a staple of life in this secluded spot we are fortunate enough to call our home.

The late Holland Brady, one of Tryon’s most beloved architects, in a talk at the Lanier Library, referred to the Tryon surrounds as “enchanted.”

A drive through the countryside with mountain views, horses grazing, conversations with diverse and interesting residents, the variety of home styles, and the stillness as one winds around the mountain roads all provide an “enchanting” sensibility and peace to one’s soul.

Welcome to comfortable country living, Tryon style.

ABOVE: Originally a horse barn this house has hedges that snake their way to the front door.

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much A D O

One Lost Soul On the Highway of Life, Who Should I Listen To? Written by STEVE WONG

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t is no secret among my family and friends that I’m lost. Don’t take that to mean I’m a lost soul, unsure of my direction in life, though that might actually be true. It is much more literal: I have absolutely no sense of direction.

I am one of those poor souls who will be driving down I-26 or up I-85, miss the exit to my home, and not realize it until 20 miles later. Interstate exits all look the same to me, even the ones I’ve used daily for the past 25 years.

After a lifetime of missing my exits, I’ve learned to no longer get (too) upset about going 40 miles out of my way home, but rather to take a deep breath, count to 10, and take the next exit to what should be the simple process of turning around. Simple?

Maybe for most people, but on most occasions, I find myself sitting at the exit ramp wondering should I go north, south, east, or west to get home. Believe me, it can be a really bad feeling and blow to my sense of manliness to read the directional signs, to look both ways on the interstate, and still be unsure of which way to go.

Most of the time, I choose the wrong direction, despite my efforts to logically determine which way is the right way to go. I’ve tried looking at the sun and moon for directional hints. I’ve flipped coins. I’ve even psyched myself, “Well, I think I should go this way, but I’m always wrong, so I’ll the other way,” which, of course, is the wrong way.

Knowing how directionally challenged I am, my family gave me a GPS several years ago, and it really helps as long as I do what that calm robotic voice tells me to do.

Problem is I don’t follow directions all that well. The voice will tell me exactly where to turn and exactly how far to go, but, I’ll think, surely I know more about where I’m going than a baby computer conversing with the satellites in outer space. And before I realize it, I’m off the beaten path, off track, and off the grid… someplace not even Big Brother knows about.

Yes, I have actually looked at my GPS screen to find myself not on any road at all — just hanging out there in virtual Never Never Land.

And if it’s not bad enough that I’ll second guess the GPS, my wife really believes she

" If I didn’t have that faith that all roads lead home, I would surely be lost on the highway of daily life. " - Steve Wong

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knows the better way. Admittedly, sometimes she does, but she doesn’t deliver her directions in a calm robotic voice that is forgiving when I don’t do as I am told. The GPS just recalculates where I am and where I’m going and gives me a new set of directions without judgmental comments. The GPS doesn’t care if I follow its directions or not. The wife, however, gets a bit huffy when I don’t do as she says. Nothing like being a lost man in a car with two female voices telling me to go in different directions. At least one of them I can unplug.

Even though I am bound to get lost, I still manage to get where I need to be. I may not always know how I got there, and I am most certainly going to be late, but I’ll get there eventually, one way or another. If I didn’t have that faith that all roads lead home, I would surely be lost on the highway of daily life.

As I was driving home yesterday, I heard a charismatic voice from the radio, and it told me to take the Path of Righteousness. Hmm, that is just a few miles down from the Straight and Narrow, parallel to the Road Less Traveled.

Maybe I should try a different route. We lost souls will go wherever the voices tell us to go.

Brunson’s & Furniture Center

Patio Shoppe

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in good

TA S TE

Ramps!

Spring Mountain Greens, Wild Harvested Written by CAROL LYNN JACKSON

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he mountains of Southern Appalachia have a huge biodiversity. Often we don’t associate the act of gathering native plants and wild greens as an act of “farming.” I more often use the word “foraging.”

For the Cherokee of our region, foraging native foods in early spring was one way to supplement nutrition into the diet of mostly stored foods between the growing seasons of winter and summer. For the past 8,000 years, the Cherokee foraged and used native plants and animal life both for food and medicine.

In April, off the women of the Cherokee tribes would go. They foraged wild greens that common gardeners might call weeds, e.g. ground cherries, poke-salad, lamb’s quarters, strawberries, vetch, and nightshade. They would gather wild berries, nuts, fruits, roots, and herbs from forests, swamps, estuaries, and grasslands.

Traditionally, a wide variety of wild greens were collected. But today, fewer varieties are collected due to loss of habitat and access to traditional collecting areas, which are now controlled by entities such as the National Park Service and private landholders. The current position of the National Park Service is that many plants, such as the wild ramp, are in danger of being over-harvested.

However, Cherokee locals maintain that they have traditionally harvested within what are now park boundaries for 8,000 years, always using sustainable harvesting techniques. Their 30 A p ril 2016

stories, and some local food foragers from the Madison County area, have inspired me each spring to set off on a search for mountain ramps. One year I only had to go as far as North Asheville, where an abandoned gravel parking lot was overrun with them!

Ramps are a member of the Allium genus, the lily family, like wild leeks and wild garlic.

Referred to as Easter onions, they are a welcome sign of spring from March to May, found on walks up hollers and through valleys above 3,000 feet. We’ve gathered them, leaves and roots with bulbs, in buckeye flats or under the bare branches of poplar, oak, and sometimes sugar maple trees. Since almost all ramps are harvested from wild patches, folks are encouraged to leave some bulbs so that the patch can replenish itself.

You can braise them, pickle them, or grill them. Keep the lily leaf and bulb intact. Wash them thoroughly, to remove all sand, coat in a quality cooking oil and kosher salt and grill, braise, or pickle. You can also enjoy them raw with sea salt. My latest favorite way to prepare ramps is to wrap them around venison tenderloin or locally raised and non-cured bacon strips.

With the venison tenderloin, you wrap the ramps, then wrap some bacon to hold down the ramps! Roast them both until the bacon has crisped on all sides. The ramps inside create an oniony, garlicky, butter paste that has basted them both in the cooking process.

The Friendship Circle presents

passion for fashion

Couture en Fleur A ladies’ luncheon benefitting

Hospice of the Carolina Foothills

Wednesday May 18, 2016 The Piedmont Club Spartanburg, SC

for more information or to receive an invitation

call 828-894-7000

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Green Thumb John Vining’s spring gardening tips Q&A by MICHAEL O’HEARN Photos by LEAH JUSTICE

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fter 32 years with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, John Vining retired in 2014. However, being retired hasn’t stopped Vining from assisting in landscaping initiatives and planting trees in the community. Just look for the man in the big, green coat on the sidewalk, helping stimulate the growth of the community. Vining has been involved with Stearn’s Park, Roger’s Park and Gibbs Amphitheater in Tryon and in planting 156 trees at Polk County High School, among numerous other community landscape enrichment projects. Recently he sat down to talk about his favorite plants and tips he has for planting flowers and vegetables this spring.

Q: When is the best time to plant flowers and plants? Grass?

A: You need to wait until after the last frost of the year, and here that is typically around April 15. So, any time after that time period of about April 15 to April 20 you can plant flowers. Again, you will see these plants in the store earlier than they should be, but from the store’s standpoint if the plants get killed off by frost, we’ll just sell them again, which is true. With grass, the best time to plant is around Labor Day. If you do it in the spring, you might have to worry about a drought in the summer.

Q: Are there any hybrid plants coming out this year?

A: It takes about three to five years to get a Q: What are some tips for gardeners who hybrid plant on the market, but there are really want to get a head start on planting? some spectacular plants that have come out A: March and April are great times, befrom the research station outside the Asheville lieve it or not, to plant any plants in terms of Airport called Mountain Horticultural Crops landscaping. Around here, our problem isn’t Research Station in Mills River. the winters. It’s the summers. You want to try Three that I think are just phenomenal to get it in as early as you can, preferably March include the fire quince, which bloom about or April. In terms of vegetables, the trick with now to the middle part of March, and there them is to grow the vegetables that are early are yards all over Polk County that have them. season and that would be things like cabbage, They bloom with about nine to 12 petals and broccoli, cauliflower. Things that are warm sea- they bloom at about the size of a quarter. The soned like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and okra new ones bloom at almost the size of a silver - you’ll see them in the store early, but they dollar and have 40 petals. There’s the Storm shouldn’t go in until May 1. But, in April you series of plants that are really phenomenal. can put in sweet corn, green beans and squash. They have a brand new redbud, and it’s called There are quite a few things you can put in, but ‘Carolina Sweetheart,’ and it has purple, pink, the hot season things you want to wait until it white and green leaves all on the same tree. It warms up. You also want to plant your garden blooms like a native redbud but, for about eight in an area that has at least six to eight hours of weeks in the winter, it looks like it is blooming sun and near some kind of water source. all the time because it’s so colorful.

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ABOVE: On a recent early spring morning, Vining was clipping some camellia flowers, in their final days of the winter bloom season.

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area, and these are things like green beans, Q: What are some things people do while tomatoes, squash, probably some peppers, some planting they should not? lettuces and other greens. Use things that don’t A: Probably one of the critical things that overpower the garden. With planning, you happens around here that people don’t do is if can decide how many vegetables you can get they’ve allowed tree leaves to pile up on their into your space. On variety, if you think about shrubbery, they want to try to pull those off Darwin and evolution. Unfortunately in the before bud break, which is around the last week U.S., we’ve gone to setting up a monoculture of April or the first week of May around here. If of plants in most fields and if a bad insect gets they can pull those leaves out then that would in there, there’s not much you can do to stop be good because otherwise, they get shaded and them. If you plant different things, either in the they get kind of bare. For annuals and veggarden or in the yard, most of the time if you etables, the problem tends to be people plant have a pest on one plant, it won’t jump from them too early. For shrubbery, that’s certainly plant to plant. people planting things too close. Typically, people will plant things a foot apart when they Q: Why do plants use scientific names and really need to be at least three feet apart. With why are these names in Latin? non-native species, it can be a problem. There A: The reason they use Latin is because it is are some plants that, unfortunately, reproduce a dead language. It doesn’t change. Like when pretty readily like the butterfly bush, the burn- Michael Jackson said bad, he really meant ing bush and English ivy. good. Because Latin is a dead language and nobody uses it anymore in the world, it will never Q: What is the importance of planning a change. Southern magnolia’s scientific name garden instead of just winging it? Why should is “magnolia grandiflora,” and “grandiflora” you have a variety of vegetables or plants in means “big flower.” The other reason they use your flowerbeds or gardens? a scientific name, using North Carolina as an A: A lot of it has to do with the physical size example, what we call ivy in Polk County is of the vegetables themselves. Most people in a vine that trails along the ground. If I go to our area really don’t have room for cantaloupe, Madison County, which is only an hour and 15 pumpkin, sweet corn. Those are vegetables that minutes away, what they call ivy is mountain get really, really big unless you have a somelaurel. I can talk to anybody in the U.S. and thing like a half-acre garden. People are better say, ‘Do you have magnolia grandiflora?’ and served to grow things that are in a confined they will know exactly what I’m asking for.

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Spring Skunk Fest

Plays its way into the Zeigler farm

Written by MICHAEL O’HEARN Photos submitted by GLYNN ZEIGLER

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ABOVE: Americana and folk bands from across the nation convene on the Zeigler farm to play a three-day weekend event known as Skunk Fest. The festival features local vendors, a beer garden, a kid area, and camping is available nearby.

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his year’s annual spring Skunk Fest, The name of the festival is derived from the hosted by Glynn and Susan Zeifestival attendees who would see white skunks gler, is coming to the Zeigler’s farm around the farm when the festival began. These April 7-9. skunks are not full albinos, meaning they had a Fans of local Americana and folk artists can dark stripe on them. come to the Zeiglers’ old farm to listen to artists Zeigler said he does not see them too often who, in some cases, have visited the farm before these days, but the name stuck for the weekendthey become big stars, such as the Avett Broth- long gathering. ers or Lake Street Dive. Glynn Zeigler said this Folks who want to camp near the farm for festival has been ongoing for nearly 22 years. the festival can do so by either tent or RV. There “The bands are from all over the country, are no hook-ups and generators are allowed only from Nashville, Asheville, New York, Charleson the RV and the trailer lots. Zeigler said atton, Michigan, Atlanta,” Zeigler said. “We have tendees hear the music from the campground.

Americana music and most of the general public Local vendors and a craft beer garden are isn’t familiar with that. It’s not bluegrass, it’s staples of the festival. The Community Tap out mostly acoustic with singer-songwriters.” of Greenville provides the beer garden.

There is a kid area on the farm known as To see this year’s concert line-up, to ask the “Kidthedral,” which Glynn Zeigler says about volunteering or to inquire for more inis great for parents who want to listen to the formation regarding the festival and the nearby music onstage while keeping an eye on their campground, visit albinoskunk.com or call kids. Here, kids are treated to drive-in movies, a Glynn Zeigler at 864-350-7530. playground, children’s activities and marshmalThe festival is located north of Greer at 4063 low roasting.

Jordan Road. Directions to the farm are avail“We’re very proud of that because parents able online. Tickets can be purchased online for can watch the music shows and keep an eye on single day passes or full weekend passes. Chiltheir kids,” Zeigler explained. “It’s pretty selfdren ages 12 to 16 must be accompanied by an contained and not a giant, sprawling facility.” adult, and children ages 11 and under are free.

TRYON INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER TRYON SPRING I April 8 -10 The 2016 Tryon Spring Series will kickoff with USEF Level 4 jumpers and “B” rated hunter competition, offering a $5,000 Welcome and a $25,000 Grand Prix for jumper riders.

rated classes, alongside a USHJA National Hunter Derby. Tryon Spring 2 will also provide USEF rated jumper classes, including a $10,000 Welcome and a $25,000 Grand Prix.

TRYON DRESSAGE I April 20 With the continued goal of expanding competition opportunities for multiple equestrian disciplines, TIEC will host the first ever FEI CDI 3* for dressage ridTRYON SPRING II ers, set to begin on Wednesday, April 20, April 13-17 Tryon Spring 2 will host upgraded hunter ushering in Tryon Spring Dressage 1, the first of seven dressage shows to be offered competition with USEF “AA” Premier at the facility in 2016.

APRIL 9, 9 A.M. Open Horse Show Foothills Equestrian Nature Center fence.org

APRIL 16-17, 8 A.M. FENCE Horse Trials Foothills Equestrian Nature Center fence.org

APRIL 10 Tryon Hounds Spring Western Carolina Hunter Pace wchpace.org

APRIL 24 River Valley Pony Club Spring Hunter Pace wchpace.org or 864-414-3185

APPOINTMENTS

APRIL

What’s New at the

Block House Written by JUDY HEINRICH Photos by ERIK OLSEN

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he 70th running of the Block House Steeplechase Races on May 7 at FENCE will bring with it all the traditions that have been part of our area since 1947. But the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club is also taking its race meet to a new level with additions like easier online reservations, new options for cooling off, more on-site dining and drink choices, new Block House merchandise, and – finally!

– a chance for the men to be rewarded for their fashion courage. Read on!

EASE OF RESERVATIONS. TR&HC’s new and improved online sales platform makes 38 A p ril 2016

reserving your parking spot(s) quick and easy by showing up-to-the-minute location availability. No more trying to get through on a busy phone line, just go to www.BlockHouseRaces. com. You’ll even print out your own parking pass so no waiting for the mail.

PERSONAL SHADE. With the race date being moved from April to May a few years ago, it can be a little warmer. So for the first time, white canopy tents will be allowed everywhere except a minimum 14 feet from the track rail. Restrictions are: 10 feet by 10 feet width, white tops only (no enclosed sides), maximum 6 feet 2 inches height; tents must be staked

down for security. Sources include Sears, Target and Amazon.com for purchase of complete canopies or white replacement tops, or Classic Event Rental in Asheville (classiceventrental. com).

HOSPITALITY. Leave your coolers and picnic baskets at home and get great food and drink onsite. The award-winning Highland Brewing Company of Asheville will have three locations in the infield area, accompanied by food trucks from Table 301 caterers of Greenville, who will offer a variety of different foodie cuisines from sliders to Baja tacos to traditional Southern picnic fare. And you can still enter the tailgate contest – it’s always been judged on décor, not food.

NEW BLOCK HOUSE MERCHANDISE. Start or expand your Block House

collection with new logo’d soft-sided coolers, tumblers, umbrellas, visors, two designs of long and short sleeve tees, and more. There will be two Block House merchandise tents, one near Vendor Row and the other at the base of the race tower.

EXPANDED VENDOR ROW. Shop before and between the races at a vendor row that’s doubled in size and will have a wide selection of fun things to buy, including clothes, jewelry, crafts and art.

EIGHT-PASSENGER GOLF CARTS will shuttle race-goers back and forth from pasture parking to the infield.

MINT JULEP TENT. Tables are reserved for Box Holders and Race Sponsors only. For information on how you can become a Box Holder, please contact office@trhc1925.org. The Mint Julep Tent will feature live music by acoustic

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duo Lake&Moore, white tablecloth-draped tables, floral centerpieces, open bar, separate restrooms, and a private lawn area leading to the rail. Catered buffet from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Tickets for entry are exchanged for wristbands at the tent entrance, allowing patrons to come and go all day.

RACE TOWER TENT. NEW! This hospitality tent is exclusively for Block House officials and volunteers – the people who make the Block House Steeplechase run smoothly on race day. This freestanding, white peaked tent will be centrally located in the infield at the base of the Race Tower, and will feature a catered lunch and beverages, white tableclothdraped tables, and floral centerpieces. Tickets for entry will be exchanged for wristbands at the tent entrance so volunteers and officials may come and go all day.

BACKSTRETCH BANNERS. Brand new this year, race-goers can show support for the Block House with their own banner displaying a farm, family, non-profit or company name, hung along the backstretch rail for great visibility. TR&HC can have a banner made for

you or you can use an existing one. The fee is $200 and a portion goes toward maintenance of the track and race tower at FENCE. Contact office@trhc1925.org for more information.

THE GREAT GTH PANTS CONTEST OK, men have always been able to enter the hat contest but it’s really always been about the fancy lady hats, hasn’t it? Now, race-going men of style are being rewarded with their own “Go-To-Hell” pants contest. We didn’t make that name up, it’s an official category of sartorial splendor that includes those bright colors, loud plaids, and lobsters, ducks, or otherwise adorned slacks frequently seen around golf courses, sailboats and other preppy locales. The story goes that the pants first became popular in the 1950s as a rebellion against the staid grey/ black/navy suits that young men had to wear to the office. So on their leisure time they were going to wear whatever outlandish pants they wanted to and whoever didn’t like it could just “go to…” well, you know. So gentlemen, slip on a pair and unleash your wild side. (To learn how to wear them well and find out which U.S. president was a fan, go to www.gentlemansgazette.com/go-to-hell-pants.)

ABOVE: Painting by Laurie Sullivan.

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Jack Montgomery Never a dull moment Written by JUDY HEINRICH Photographs SUBMITTED

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ABOVE: Looks like he had a hint of crazy from the start 42 A p ril 2016

couple of things struck me as I was interviewing farrier Jack Montgomery for this article. First, he reminds me of the recent Dierks Bentley song, “I Hold On,” which is all about sticking with the people and things that have brought meaning to your life.

Second, if you ever hear Jack say he’s made up his mind to do something, don’t bet against him.

Jack is right now celebrating a double 40th anniversary – 40 years as a professional farrier and 40 years of marriage to Susan, his high school sweetheart and first real crush. And neither of those anniversaries would be happening if it wasn’t for those personality traits I sensed.

Jack Montgomery Jr. was born into a large Catholic family in Ionia, Mich., and grew up on the “lower class, wrong side of the tracks.”

His father died when Jack was 13, so he and

five siblings were raised by their single mom, who also worked at a bank.

The family had no particular interest in horses although Jack did spend time in his early teens working with his cousin on the ranch of a man from Texas. The boys broke two-year-old registered Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses that had never been touched. “We would bring them up to the arena, put on a bosal and a cutting saddle with the horn cut off,” Jack says, “then climb on and ride them until they quit bucking.” Jack says he never came off, and if a horse laid down he just stayed on till it got up again.

larger public school as a high school freshman.

In his second year there he laid eyes on freshman Susan Sexton for the first time, and that was all it took. “ I saw her and fell in love right away,” he remembers. “I knew she was ‘it’ – the girl for me.”

The feeling was not mutual. Susan was the daughter of a state engineer and Michigan’s first female property appraiser. They lived on the “doctor/lawyer” side of town and it seemed she was fated for a doctor/lawyer husband. Jack was cut from the classic bad boy mold and Susan didn’t like him at all. “When he’d come over to the house I’d pretend not to be home,” she says.

What Susan really cared about was the horse PLANS CHANGE she had bought at age 13 after saving up $600 from fifty-cents-an-hour babysitting jobs. “4-H Jack survived the ranch work with no major and babysitting was all I did,” she says. trauma but had no plans of making a career in But Jack was nothing if not determined, and horses or even having a horse of his own. He after nearly a year had achieved a friendship and a buddy were going to build a stock car and of sorts with Susan. That’s when she told him, get into racing. But all that changed when he “You know, Jack, if you get rid of those friends got to 10th grade and the horse bug bit him – of yours, sell that stock car and buy a horse, I or more accurately, the horsewoman bug. might go out with you.”

The Catholic school Jack attended only went That was all the opening it took. Jack told through 8th grade so he had to switch to the his mother he was going to get a horse and

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ABOVE LEFT: The Montgomery wedding – heavy lace and light blue ABOVE RIGHT: Jack gets shoeing help from grandson Kamron.

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keep it at his grandmother’s farm. He found an unbroke one for $100 and, since he didn’t have a trailer, proceeded to walk it home. Which went OK until a car stopped beside him and the horse kicked a door in.

Jack says it took a few weeks to get the horse where he could ride it, and then he set out for Susan’s house. The cross-town trip took three-and-a-half hours. A fair amount of that time was spent trying to get the horse across the first creek it had ever seen. Jack would rather not share all the details but his eventual success depended upon having a lariat, climbing a tree, and being able to land upright on a rope. And then they continued on.

Susan lived in a regular neighborhood of houses and yards, so when Jack got there he tied the horse to her mother’s prized black cherry tree. Her mother looked out the kitchen window and started screaming for Susan to come look. Jack says, “The horse was a nag, really pathetic looking, but Susan had said if I got a horse she’d go out with me. So she did.”

That one date – sandwiches at a little local restaurant – was all Susan had committed to.

“But he was just real persistent and broke my walls down,” she says. She also admits he was pretty cute. So one date turned into many and then they were going steady.

Since he was back in the horse world, Jack rode bareback broncs at the Sparta Rodeo through high school, and did a little bull riding. As he got near graduation – a year early – he remembered what an older friend from the ranch had said when asked about how to make a living with horses: “Farriers and vets make money – everything else is just a maybe.”

So Jack applied and was accepted at the wellknown Oklahoma Farrier College.

When Jack had completed college and Susan graduated high school, they told their folks they wanted to be married. Susan’s mother had never completely warmed up to Jack and neither mother was crazy about the other.

“Both of our mothers were so strong willed, it was like they were both planning their own wedding,” Susan recalls. So she and Jack threw up their hands, let the families plan the whole “big Catholic wedding,” and just showed up when told. Jack wore a custom-made pale blue

western suit with navy trim and Susan was “covered from head to toe in the heaviest lace possible, with an actual hoop at the bottom – it was the ugliest dress I ever saw,” she says.

LIFE GOES ON “I had just got out of shoeing school and thought I had it made,” Jack says. “We were newly married, brand new in business, with a brand new truck (and a brand new loan). Not quite 10 months later, we had our first child, Jack Montgomery III.” The family grew to four children including daughters Tara, Codie and Ashley. They were still in Michigan when two-month-old Ashley contracted encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that then led to cerebral palsy. After she had pneumonia three times in one winter, her doctors recommended that the family move somewhere with a more stable climate. Jack called a friend from the rodeo, champion bull rider Jimmy Misenheimer, and got a job shoeing with him in Western North Carolina. The family lived for a long time in Columbus across from where the library is now, before moving to Green Creek.

Jack still had customers in Michigan and traveled back and forth for years to shoe their horses. Then when Jack III was about 13, they were driving home along Lake Michigan in Chicago, through a snowstorm so bad that young Jack had to stick his head out the window to see where they were going. Jack decided that wasn’t worth doing any more and turned to shoeing in North Carolina only.

Meanwhile just about everyone in the family got involved in horses. Jack III helped Jack shoe and is now a farrier himself, working at the top show circuits in Florida and with Jack at home.

(Jack proudly says young Jack “has gone way beyond me.”) Jack III’s son Matthew helps his dad with shoeing when he has time.

Daughter Ashley, a Polk County High School graduate, is a longtime rider with TROT. Her oldest sister, Tara Blackwell, showed all through her youth and is now an accomplished hunter/jumper trainer based in Greenwood, S.C. Tara’s 12-year-old daughter, Taylor McKenzie Blackwell, is following in her mom’s footsteps and doing well on the BRHJ circuit herself. Brothers Ian and Sammy also pitch in with shoeing when they’re around Jack and Jack III.

Even the moms in Ionia – who are now best friends sharing church greeter duties – have been active in horses. Susan’s mother got into Arabians and Jack’s mother ended up running 4-H for their entire Michigan county, including shows with 300-400 horses.

And thanks to Susan’s mother, who at 83 writes a “Blast from the Past” column for a local newspaper, they discovered that the Montgomery connection to horses is a longer than they realized. She unearthed an article about Jack’s Great Uncle Alex T. Montgomery, who owned Ionia’s largest livery stable from the mid-to-late 1800s.

FISHING, FAMILY & MUSIC Jack and Susan no longer ride horses but have always found plenty to keep them busy.

Jack, Susan and Ashley, who lives at home with them, won the 2005 Champion Striped Bass Tournament Trail, and Susan and Ashley were named the Top Lady Angler team that same year. One of their favorite things was introducing fishing and tournaments to other kids and adults with special needs.

The Montgomerys’ lives have always revolved around family, which now includes 11 grandchildren from age two to 16. In fact, Jack and Susan recently adopted two of their grandchildren, sister and brother Tristin (15) and Kamron (7), who now live with them full time.

Both kids fit very smoothly into another longtime family pastime, music. Jack played drums through his high school years, later switched to guitar and harmonica, and has played with local bands in our area.

Tristin plays cello, guitar and keyboards, is in the Henderson Youth Orchestra, and plays with PacJAM, the Pacolet Area chapter of Junior Appalachian Musicians, a regional movement created to connect kids with traditional mountain music.

Kamron has become a talented banjo player, sits in with adults at regular jam sessions, and was invited to join PacJAM as a first grader, two years earlier than normal. Jack III’s son Matthew plays the fiddle and is also in PacJAM. The family plays in the Hope Church Praise and Worship Group in Spartanburg every week, and at Pigeon Forge on special occasions.

Susan and Ashley are the non-musicians but happily lend support by cooking, cleaning and clapping.

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ABOVE: Jack and Susan Montgomery (Photo by Linda Williams) 46 A p ril 2016

Jack has supported this wide range of activities with his shoeing business and is proud to still have customers from his early days here, some 20 years ago. A new special interest for him is hand-building wooden shoes to help relieve pain and restore balance to horses with laminitis.

“I feel very fortunate to have been shoeing for 40 years and married to the same woman for 40 years,” he says. “I’m really blessed. Living with a shoer isn’t always easy, especially when he wants to do so many different things.”

Susan does not disagree with that assessment. “In the early days when he came home, I never knew if he’d bring cash or some thing in the back of his truck: a three-day-old calf, two black and brown coonhounds, or an old horse

he thought we could feed up and make money from. One time he brought a full-grown goat that jumped out of the truck and over two gates – because he’d heard me say I thought pygmy goats were cute. That was no pygmy! But he has always tried to please me in his own kind of twisted way,” she laughs.

“It’s been that way our whole life. But they say when God puts us you together with your real true mate he’ll be the complete opposite of you, and it’s being together that completes the two of you to one. The things I’ve lacked he has, and what I don’t have, he does.

“That’s the thrill of being with Jack – he doesn’t just do things ‘out of the ordinary,’ he does things out of the ‘extraordinary.’ It definitely makes life more interesting.”

Preserving horse country through farm conservation easements Written by PAM TORLINA Photographs SUBMITTED

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or the past 27 years, the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) has served as the regional land trust for Polk County and surrounding areas in North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. The non-profit, grass roots organization is dedicated to protecting the precious natural resources making up the land and water which impacts the beauty and health of our area.

Since its inception, PAC has been ahead of its time in the proactive protection of this region’s natural environment. Through the 48 A p ril 2016

organization’s conservation efforts, nearly 8,700 acres have been protected in our area.

Based in Tryon, PAC focuses on the thoughtful conservation of mountains, watersheds, forests, farms and greenspace. The land trust helps protect habitat for flora and fauna, as well as scenic and agricultural resources.

PAC works with area landowners to ensure the long-term protection of their property through voluntary conservation easements (agreements), which enable landowners to maintain ownership of their property while preserving pre-

cious natural resources. Lands we’ve preserved by voluntary conservation easements protect riparian corridors, which preserve our drinking water, mountains and ridgetops which, in turn, preserves our viewsheds, forests we use for recreation and nature appreciation, and the impressive greenspace created by the area’s horse farms and agrarian activities.

In fact, PAC has permanently protected 1,010 acres on 17 local horse farms. In addition, PAC protects 3,190 acres of land on 30 properties which provide miles of protected equestrian trails, including land around the trails used by FETA, CETA, and NPA members, as well as trails used by riders in private horse farm communities.

Love of the area is shared by those who were born and raised in the region as well as by those who have moved to the area from elsewhere. Many people who are involved with horses, whether as competitors in hunter-jumper shows, dressage shows, western shows and competitions; eventing, gaited, or driving; recreational, endurance riders, or fox hunters; or breeders on a large or small scale, moved to this area because they fell in love with the beautiful open spaces and the horse communities which

formed around these various activities.

One way to preserve our horse country and to ensure the future enjoyment of these equestrian activities we take pleasure in is to protect the land in perpetuity by creating a thoughtful, carefully written, conservation easement (agreement) on your property. Each conservation easement is personalized to reflect the wishes of the landowner; essentially, it is a will for your land.

The Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC), your local land trust, welcomes the opportunity to discuss land conservation options with area landowners. Please contact us at 828-8595060, email landprotection@pacolet.org, drop by our office at 850 N. Trade St., Tryon, NC, and check out our website at pacolet.org.

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Parting glance A is for April, and A is also for Azaleas, which bloom abundantly in the Foothills in all shades of pink, red, lilac, white, even yellows and oranges if you’re lucky to catch the wild ones. This photo was taken by photographer Anne Regan of a backyard in Landrum. Spring has definitely arrived!

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Marketplace Life in our Foothills • 828.859.9151

Ashley Meadows Apartments Columbus, NC Now accepting applications for large 2 & 3 BR units. 858-894-2671 •CNA’s All Shifts •LPN/RN All Shifts, Weekend positions available •RN Charge Nurse M-F We offer 12hr and 8hr shifts.

Flexible Schedules. Please apply in person at 501 Esseola St, Saluda, NC 28773 or call Heather Gosnell, ADON at 828-749-2261.

3Bd/2Ba in Columbus New appliances, carpet, paint. Brick ranch with bsment. Pets considered 5 mins from TIEC Quiet road. $1500/mo 828-863-2280 Marketing Event Reps $12/hour vs. commission.

No selling, no hassels. Simply schedule free estimate appointments at events.

Send resume to: robie@ carolinagutterhelmet.com or call 864-877-0692.

HOME FOR SALE 660 Dublin Ln, Columbus, NC 3-beds • 2-baths • 1,728 sqft MLS #: 3137471 • $199,000 Direct Phone: (828)606-0612 Work Phone: (828)398-5760 Email: georgeb@ColdwellBanker.com HOME FOR SALE 201 Oakwood Ln. Columbus, NC 3-beds 3-baths • 1,650 sqft MLS #: 3129392 • $235,000 Direct Phone: (828)606-0612 Work Phone: (828)398-5760 Email: georgeb@ColdwellBanker.com MAINTENANCE UNLIMITED If you can break it, we can fix it!

All types of home maintenance: pressure washing, yard maintenance and more!

828-447-0669 or 828-817-4284 Dan Steiner Painting For A Fine Paint Job High Quality-Low Prices •Professional Pressure Washing •Gutter Cleaning •Minor Repairs 828-817-0539 or 828-894-6183 *Senior Discount Available* CDL Driver with Passenger Endorsement needed to drive 24 passenger bus from Spindle to Hendersonville and return.

5:30am-8:30am and 5:30pm-8:30pm sales@eastsidetransportation.co 864-609-5466 Ask for Delon

First Staffing Now Hiring •In-Home Aides •Textiles •Mental Health •Sewers •Weavers •Warpers •Production Workers Apply in person: 1987 Lynn Road, Suite A Columbus, NC 28722 Fox Mountain Landscape: Lawn maintenance, stone work, waterfeatures, patios & walkways, paver, irrigation systems and grading. Free estimates - 12 years experience.

Call Miguel 828-817-5847 www.foxmountainlandscaping. com GOOD BY STUMPS Stump Removal Fully Insured Free Quotes!

Call Ron at 828-447-8775 NOW HIRING: Experienced Cook/Chef & Server Apply In Person: Harvest House Restaurant Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm 864-457-2823 Rick Fowler’s Hogback Mountain Bar-B-Q & Sauce Co. Catering for All Occasions.

Order our Sauces Online! www.hogbackmtnbbq.com 864-472-4043 Hospice of the Carolina Foothills (EOE) has the following openings: Homecare: RN On-Call-Full Time Hospice House: PRN RNs, PRN CNAs* (7pm-7am) *SC CNA certification req.

For more information, and to apply, please visit: www.hocf.org NEED CASH? I BUY MOST ANYTHING THAT’S A BARGAIN. CAR--TRUCK--RV/CAMPER--JEEP 68 CAMARO--TRAILER CARGO SUBURBAN--4-WHEELERS--GOLF CART--TRACTOR--GUNS--LAND-HOME. NO JUNK! MUST HAVE TITLE. DON’T CALL IF NOT A BARGAIN! 828-551-7176 50+ TRAILERS IN STOCK! New 5x8: $525 All Sizes Available 828-245-5895 STORAGE BUILDINGS Cash Specials - or Rent To Own from $63 per month!

828-245-5895 Full-time Wait Staff, Exp. Med Techs (cert. req’d) and CNAs Incl. 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 828-817-6350 Polk County Broad River Frontage 8 minutes to Tiec, 5 minutes from 2 golf courses. Over 35 acres 30 seconds from Green River Farm, southern exposures and VIEWS VIEWS VIEWS. Three wells, gravel roads, trails, LARGE shop w/pole barn and established mini-farm with dozens of raised-bed boxes, fruit trees, grape vines, amazing building sites.

Asking $285,000 (no owner financing). Golf car tours provided. Call or text (828)489-4568. Virtual tour at: nativeencasements.com/ 35acSantana.wmv 2356 Pea Ridge Rd, Mill Spring $749,000 3BR/2BA Brick Ranch. 8.62 acres with gorgeous 180 degree views.

Gary Corn, CHPS, Realtor/Broker 828-817-2580 First Real Estate, Inc www.TryonRealEstate.com 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.

FIREWOOD Split $75 a cord/long bed.

Available on short notice & good quality. We stack the wood for your convenience. Dependable and honest.

Let us be of service to you!

828-817-5600 828-817-9218 864-316-2229 Customer Service Representative Good phone skills, artistic talent and computer knowledge required. Full time with Benefits. Email resume and art background to lauriew@ purecountry.com.

Antique Vendors Needed New store located in Tryon,NC opening March 5th. Several booths available for rental.

Located in great high-traffic

location on Hwy-176 (620 S.Trade St-old Tryon Pharmacy Bldg).

Booth set-up will be for February.

Look forward to seeing you at Red Dog Relics! 828-440-1303 RENTALS Go to www.tryonrealestate.com For Furnished and Unfurnished Long and Short Term Rentals Contact Pat Martin at First Real Estate 828-859-7653 Nice 2 bedrom, 2 bath house for lease. Columbus Area. $775 per month + deposit.

828-899-0000 83+ Acres for Sale in Rutherford Co •6,000 Feet River Frontage •1500 Feet Highway Frontage •City Water, Wooded •4k Per Acre (864)909-1035 $10 OFF Preventative Maintenance (Reg $75) Rutherford Heating and Air 828-287-2240 SKIPPER’S TREE SERVICE One call does it all! 25% Sr. discount.

Free estimates. Reference available. skippertreeservices. startlogic.com. 864-580-3029 Staffing Associates 100 Henry Place, Spartanburg SC Hiring for local Textile Company (All Position) Machine Operators CNC operators Forklift Landscaping Construction Welders Fabricators Fitters CDL drivers • Light Industrial Assembly • Welders • Carpentry (Experienced) Apply in person or online.

StaffMasters 727 South Broadway, Forest City www.staffmasters.com 828-248-5641 TIEC visitors - 2 or 3 bedroom house – pool table/laundry room – garage and parking available.

CLOSE to TIEC and local restaurants. 828-894-2763 Second Chance Thrift Store Call 894-2373 to schedule a pick up. We appreciate your donations of gently used items!

Second Chance provides 49% of Steps to HOPE’s operating income. your donations help victims of domestic and sexual abuse in our community.

Steps to HOPE 232 E. Mills St., Columbus 828-894-2373 LAND & ACREAGE FOR SALE Beautiful 13.1 acres of rolling hills, with established fescue pasture, mountain view & 400 foot road frontage- $140,000.

Property is 20 minutes from TIEC in South Carolina. Follow the signs at Hwy 11 and Burnt Chimney Road to property on North Pacolet Road. Call 864-590-1906, after 5pm or 864-680-6309 for more information.

Tommy’s Home Improvement •Roofs, renovations, siding, carpentry, decks, windows, screening. All Home Repairs.

FREE Est. Home: (828)859-5608 Cell: (828)817-0436 Commercial Space Available immediately 1500 sq. ft. with office.

Near downtown Columbus.

Easy access to Hwy 74.

Includes water, sewer, trash service, and wifi.

828-863-2280 White Oak of Tryon is Currently Accepting Applications For Restorative Program Coordinator The Restorative Program Director should be an RN graduate of a state approved School of Nursing. Current and active license in the state of North Carolina. They should be committed to aggressive therapy and restorative/maintenance programs. Should have the ability to work independently, but has the wisdom to seek assistance as indicated. Should possess effective documentation and communication skills.

Should be knowledgeable in regard to federal and state regulations relating to long term care.

Apply 70 Oak Street Tryon, NC 28782 or email resume to: philsman@WhiteOakManor.com STONE MASONRY: specializing in retaining walls, fireplaces, patios, sidewalks, chimneys & foundations.

25 years experience.

864-621-7043 or 864-497-9988 Ready Now • Very Nice • 510 Square Feet Office/Studio Space (Beauty Salon) Nostalgia Courtyard Main Street, Saluda $310 Per Month Includes Water/Sewage (828)749-9224

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Wishing You Well Flowers and balloons bring smiles to our patients, but at St. Luke’s Hospital, we deliver more . . .

Since 1929, St. Luke’s Hospital has been here, caring for our friends and neighbors in the Carolina Foothills.

As a community hospital, St. Luke’s fills a huge need, providing immediate access to lifesaving emergency care, outstanding surgical care, and attentive, compassionate acute medical care.

St. Luke’s Hospital is proud to offer the latest in digital imaging, outcomes-based rehabilitation, respectful geriatric-psychiatric care, state-of-the-art orthopedic care and more.

St. Luke’s Hospital remains committed to providing quality care… a safe, comfortable and caring atmosphere… medical services right here in our community.

Flowers and balloons are nice, but at St. Luke’s Hospital, we deliver far more exceptional care, close to home.

101 Hospital Drive, Columbus, NC • 828.894.3311 • www.SaintLukesHospital.com