Life in Our Foothills September 2017, Tryon Daily Bulletin, Tryon Newsmedia

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS SEPTEMBER 2017

of a Horse

Top-to-bottom tour of the equine anatomy SEPTEMBER 2017

TUESDAY SCHOOL

Tryon’s cooperative preschool turns 45 1

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

COTTAGES AT LANDRUM Landrum neighborhood of Craftsman homes

GLADIATOR POLO

Takes equestrian world by storm

8K RUN

12th Annual Ache Around the Lake

&WALK

Saturday, September 16, 8 a.m.

All Proceeds Benefit St. Luke’s Hospital Infusion Center Suppor ng Excep onal Care Close to Home

Ache Around the Lake is a family fun event including an 8k road race around Lake

Lanier (Ache) and a 2-mile fun run/walk! (Ouch)

Open to all runners, walkers, strollers and your canine friends on a leash!

• Pre-registration $25, race day registration $30 • Professionally timed • Online registration • Race day registration 6:30 - 7:30 am • Race begins promptly at 8 am

8K Awards Top 3 Overall & Masters 1st Place Awards for Age Groups Top Dog Award

Visit www.AcheAroundtheLake.org to register!

Call (828) 894-2693 for questions.

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INSIDE

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24 DEPARTMENTS 20 Home Sweet Home

The Cottages at Landrum

FOOTHILLS FAMOUS 22 To Your Health 10 St. Luke’s Hospital Infusion Center Grand Opening 12 Business After Hours 14 Summer Vacation

COLUMNS 18 Let’s Eat

Fall for Apples

30 Much Ado

Sometimes it’s Best to Just Stand There

58 Pebbles

A Great Escape Into the Woods

Mental Illness and Suicide Prevention Walk & Remembrance

24 Shop Till You Drop

Fun & Funky Foothills Decorating

26 Movers & Shakers

Making a Difference

28 Work of Art

The Unity Project

34 Learning for Life

APPOINTMENTS

40 Best Side of a Horse 44 Horse Life Help & Hacks 46 “Battle for the Carolinas” Gladiator Polo

49 How BRHJA Saved Tryon Horse Country

54 Horses & Aromatherapy

SOCIAL LIFE

60 September Calendar of Events

WHY I LOVE THE FOOTHILLS 63 Featuring Jamie Laval

ONE LAST THING 64 Living in the Past

Tuesday School turns 45 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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WELCOME

We asked. You answered.

SEPTEMBER 2017

A

few months ago, we asked our readership and advertisers to continue to place their confidence in us, in order for us to “build out” this magazine. We hated the fact that every month, there was more material (stories and photographs) we wanted to publish than would fit, and it ended up in a digital heap, never to see the light of day.

Well, we’re pleased to announce with this September issue, that we have increased the page count thanks to new advertisers, and as a result, we have been able to add exciting new content, columnists, and sections. Additionally, we have “freshened up” some of the graphic design elements you’ve been seeing for the past five years. It’s bigger and better, we’d like to say.

What hasn’t changed though is the fact that this magazine is by, for and about the people of the Foothills, and as always, we invite local writers to become contributors and area photographers to submit photos for publication. What should we be writing about in the months ahead?

Let us know. We love connecting with you and pursuing the stories that impact the Foothills.

So, we hope you enjoy this expanded edition of Life in Our Foothills.

Feel free to reach out to us with your comments, suggestions and story ideas by phone, email, social media, an old-fashioned stamped letter, or a visit to the Tryon Daily Bulletin office.

General Manager Kevin Powell Managing Editor Claire Sachse Contributors Jimmi Buell Amanda Edwards Michelle Fleming Heather Freeman Leah Justice Judy Heinrich Linda List Mark Schmerling Vincent Verrecchio Steve Wong

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September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

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Administration Courney Pickett Distribution Jeff Allison Jamie Lewis Alex Greene Conner Peeler

Starting on page 40, take an approach to an equine, one that is both clinical and spiritual, from ear tip to tail, hoof to nose, to discover “What is the best side of a horse?” Photo

by Vincent Verrecchio.

2017

LS

FOOTHIL

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

Please address all correspondence (including, but not limited to, letters, story ideas, and requests to reprint materials) to Editor, Life In Our Foothills Magazine, 16. N. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782, or email to claire.sachse@tryondailybulletin.com.

Life In Our Foothills is available free of charge at locations throughout Polk County and the Upstate of South Carolina, and online at TryonDailyBulletin.com, and on Facebook @LIOFMagazine. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $35 per year by calling 828-859-9151. To advertise, call 828-859-9151 or email advertise@lifeinourfoothills.com.

Production Gwen Ring

on the cover

Best wishes for September, Kevin Powell General Manager kevin.powell@tryondailybulletin.com

Marketing Magan Etheridge Trish Boyter Brandon Moore

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Trusted in the Industry.

Rooted in the Community.

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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FOOTHILLS FAMOUS

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St. Luke’s Hospital Infusion Center Grand Opening Photos by Mark Schmerling

On Aug. 7, St. Luke’s Hospital’s employees and supporters celebrated the dedication and ribbon cutting of the new chemo and infusion center, offering services that enable patients to receive IV treatments without having to leave the county.

1. Cutting the ribbon are Lynn Hensley, RN, director of Ambulatory Services, Amy Harris, RN, Margaret Krusch, PA-C, Jamie Glynn, RN, Kelly Edwards, RN, Harriett Bastarache, receptionist, all with the new St. Luke’s Infusion Center. First row: Kathy Toomey, Chamber board chair, oncologist Matt Rees, MD, and far right, Meshelle Colvin, Chamber board member/St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation.

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Second row: Darla Kleiner, Chamber Board member, Kevin Platte, Christina McNally and Jennifer Haywood, all with Levine Cancer Institute, Cathy Moore, RN, chief nursing officer for St. Luke’s Hospital, Candice Roth, chief nursing officer with Levine Cancer Institute and Beverly Conner, family nurse practitioner, St. Luke’s Infusion Center.

2. Amy Harris and Beverly Conner 3. Jim Bross and Michael Crater 4. Kevin Plate and Jennifer Haywood 5. Kelley Edwards, RN, and Caroline Brown

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6. Kay Flack, Cindy Littlejohn, Kathy Woodham, Bill Hutchins, Mary Duncan and Teresa Davis 7. Lisa Rodman and Rob Fuller 8. Stephanie Robertson and Cindy Thomas 9. First row: Cathy Toomey, Chamber board chair; Dr. Matt Rees, oncologist; Jean Shumway, St. Luke’s Hospital Board chair; John Walters, architect; Meshelle Colvin, Chamber board, Janet Sciacca, executive director, Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce. Second row: Jim Bross, CEO, St. Luke’s Hospital, Lynn Hensley, RN,

director of Ambulatory Services, St. Luke’s Hospital; Margaret Krusch, FNP, St. Luke’s Hospital Infusion Center; Tommy Melton, St. Luke’s board member/chair of Polk County Commissioners. Third row: Michael Baughman, St. Luke’s board member, Cathy Moore, RN, chief nursing officer, St. Luke’s Hospital.

10. Dr. Bob Lair 11. Anne Jacobe 12. Dr. Matt Rees, with Levine Cancer Institute LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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FOOTHILLS FAMOUS

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Business After Hours

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Photos by Mark Schmerling The monthly Chamber of Commerce Buisness After Hours was held at the Shops of Tryon on July 25.

Participating sponsors included Vines and Stuff and Hoop’s Antiques.

1. Linda Chalker, Carol McCall, Carol Jean Vosburg and Susie Deluciano.

2. Deborah Padgett and Tammy Martell.

3. Ashley Menetre and Lydia Juenger 4. John and Kathy Toomey 5. Steve Wong and Kathy Woodham

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September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

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hobby

What once was a can now become a

6. Ronnie Reid, Kim Karaman, Mike Karaman.

7. John Gargiulo 8. Xena 9. T-Bone

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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FOOTHILLS FAMOUS

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Oh, the places you’ll go!

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Vacation or staycation, it’s all good!

This summer, our readers went far and wide, and to beautiful spots close to home, sending back some wonderful photos of their adventures to share.

1. Allie Lewis at Jekyll Island, Ga. 2. Cane Moore, Logan Pack, Kadence Moore and Kilei Moore at Little Bradley Falls 3. Ava Betancourt at Lake Keowee, S.C. 4. Addie Buss and Penny Schweizer at Isle of Palms, S.C. 5. Darlene and FK McFarland at Hilton Head Island, S.C. 6. Cristina Searcy and Jessica Greve at the Willis Tower in Chicago, formerly known as the Sears Tower.

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7. Savannah Devine, senior at PCHS, and Tristan Devine, 6th grader at PCMS, at Great Smoky Mountains National Park 8. Galen Sachse at the Elephant Conservation Project, Chiang Mai, Thailand 9. Columbus Presbyterian Church Youth Group on the Great Smoky Mountain Railway 10. Columbus Presbyterian Church Youth Group at Deep Creek Tube Center in Bryson City, N.C. 11. Jason Petty and children Luke and Mackenzie at Gatlinburg, Tenn.

12. Elena Greve at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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FOOTHILLS FAMOUS

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13. Logan Mills, mermaid, Hayleigh Mills, Addie Buss at Myrtle Beach, S.C. 14. Kylie, Allie and Margeaux Lewis at Jekyll Island, Ga 15. Jen Pace Dickenson at Niagara Falls 16. Eno Baker Jr. at Niagara Falls 17. Melanie Blankenship at home in Green Creek 18. Luke Miller and Leah Justice at Myrtle Beach, S.C.

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19. Mike, Stephanie, Lauren and Will Winterrowd at Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock, N.C. 20. Noah Greve at the Willis Tower in Chicago, Ill. 21. Riley Gallagher at Hammock Beach, Fla 22. Sarah Gallagher at Blowing Rock, N.C. 23. Skyler Ravan and Rachel Childers at Lake Lanier 24. Sarah and Riley Gallagher at Hammock Beach, Fla. LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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LET’S EAT!

apples

FALL FOR

BY JIMMI BUELL

S

eptember brings cooler weather and the thoughts of apples. I have fond childhood memories of living next door to an apple orchard. When fall came and the apples were plentiful, my cousins and I would sneak into Mr. Horton’s apple orchard and have a snack (I’m sure Mr. Horton knew we were there). We especially liked the apples that were not quite red, a little on the green side, with a tart flavor. These days we have many tart apples to choose from such as Granny Smith, Honey Crisp and Pink Lady.

Peak harvest of North Carolina’s apples is mid August through October. North Carolina is seventh in apple production. There are over 200 commercial apple operations comprised of 9,000 apple-bearing acres and up to four million bushels produced in a given year. The four major varieties, which make up the bulk of North Carolina’s production, are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty and Galas, although

this is rapidly changing to new varieties, such as Honey Crisp.

We have all heard, “An apple a day will keep the doctor away.” Why is that? Apples are rich in pectin. Pectin and mild acids found in apples help fight body toxins, aid digestion and pep up the whole system. Pectin has also been associated with helping to keep cholesterol levels in balance and is significant in helping to reduce the incidence of certain types of heart disease.

Apples have zero fat per serving and contain five grams of fiber per serving. Other studies have shown numerous health benefits including fewer headaches, a reduction of illnesses associated with nervous tension and reduced incidence of colds and other upper respiratory ailments.

With all the benefits of apples, I always try to add apples (and other fruits) to my dishes. One the favorite recipes of the Extension’s Men’s Cooking class is the Apple Grilled

Cheese Sandwich. Once you have one of these you will never go back to an ordinary grilled cheese. You could use any apple, but my favorite is the Honey Crisp or Pink Lady. The combination of the sweet/tart apple and the Havarti cheese, mmmhhh.

Nothing like it! • For more facts on North Carolina’s apples and recipes visit ncapplegrowers.com.

Jimmi Buell, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, Polk County Center of the NC Cooperative Extension Service, teaches cooking and nutrition classes with a focus on improving health with better food choices. She can be reached at jimmi_buell@ncsu.edu or 828-894-8218.

Grilled Apple Cheese Sandwich Printed from Cooks.com

INGREDIENTS Raisin Bread Cheese Slices (I use Havarti Cheese) Apple, sliced thin, peeled or unpeeled (Pink Lady or Honey Crisp) Butter or margarine 18

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

DIRECTIONS 1. Peel (optional) and core apples. Slice thin.

2. Butter one side of raisin bread slices (2 per sandwich) 3. Place one slice, butter side on preheated griddle or skillet

4. Top with one slice cheese, then apple slices, second slice of cheese, and raisin bread with butter side up.

5.Grill on both sides until lightly browned and cheese melts.

6. Keep warm until read to serve.

DON’T REPLACE IT.

REVITALIZE IT.

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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HOME SWEET HOME

Cute Cottages!

Landrum neighborhood celebrates the Arts & Crafts style

BY LINDA LIST

D

riving out Redland Road in Landrum, you will approach an attractive stone wall divided by well manicured greenery. This is the entrance to the expanding development know as The Cottages.

The Cottages was originally a development begun in 2004 by Harvey Spiegel along with some other business partners. When the recession slowed down house sales, development at the site came to a halt. Recently, David Humphries, a local 20

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

builder who has done projects for larger developers, including D.R. Horton, became involved and construction started up once again.

First roads needed to be completed within the project - sewers, water lines, high speed internet, all had to be finished.

When complete, Humphries predicts approximately 52 new homes to be added to the original development. The current floor plans are for one story living, with three to four bedrooms plus two baths, occupying

1,600 to 2,200 square feet in a Craftsman style home with Arts & Crafts details.

Floor plans are available or buyers can submit a floor plan. Architects will work to be sure it can fit on the selected lot. The design of the exterior of the home is first approved by the HOA to assure that all homes will blend in with the development. This is not a “cookie cutter” style development. Each home has its own character.

Some homes are designed and built to suit the buyer, other homes are built on speculation.

The buyer can choose their desired lot prior to construction. Once the lot and floor plan are selected, construction takes approximately four months to complete, based on weather conditions during construction. Home prices run from $195,000 to $250,000.

Eight homes have been completed with four more starting up. All have been sold and lots are also selling quickly. This expansion, although small compared to developments in large, metropolitan areas like Greenville or Spartanburg, is sizeable for Landrum.

Some of the buyers are local, such as one new resident who needed to downsize from a large house to a smaller home that could accommodate handicaps.

Some of the buyers have come from Florida looking to escape the hot climate and heavy traffic, or they are involved in the equestrian community.

A private pool is available to residents. Pool maintenance and lawn mowing is included in the HOA fee. One possibility for the future that is being explored with the city is a possible walking trail through to Brookwood Park.

Take a drive out Redland Road to Page Creek Blvd. to view the homes. Check facebook.com/ cottagesatlandrum for more information or contact David Humphries at 864-237-1394. •

Lucy Hoyt recently moved into the Cottages at Landrum, a development now 13 years old that includes a neighborhood pool and a variety of floor plans.

Retired confectioner and candy store owner, Landrum resident Linda List has taken up her next love, writing.

She authors the Landrum Wanderings column for the Tryon Daily Bulletin and is a regular contributor to Life in Our Foothills. She can be reached at lin17th@aol.com.

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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TO YOUR HEALTH

A Light in the Darkness Suicide awareness walk & remembrance planned

T

he third annual walk/remembrance to honor those suffering with mental illness and to remember those who lost their battles will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Harmon Field in Tryon.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. and is free to the public.

The walk includes free food, T-shirts and candles provided as well as speakers, a dove release and music.

The first event was held in 2015 and drew approximately 250 people with last year’s event drawing even more.

Mary Prioleau and Tamara Black organize the event every year after both losing loved ones to suicide in recent years.

This year’s event has several 22

BY LEAH JUSTICE sponsors so far with Aaron Greene serving as MC and the Polk County High School Wolverine basketball team will once again set up, cook food and clean up.

Polk County ranks high in the state for suicides, recently ranking the third highest in the state.

Nationally, as of last year, the average was 177 suicides per day in the country, with 20 of those being veterans.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death for people ages 15-24.

For more information or to donate to the event, visit 3rd Annual Walk/Remembrance on Facebook or contact Prioleau at 828-899-9699. •

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

A diverse crowd of over 300 individuals gathered for the solemn walk-remembrance held last year at Harmon Field in Tryon.

The event, organized by Tryon resident Mary Prioleau, right, was designed to offer hope to those who struggle with mental illness. Prioleau lost her daughter Caroline to suicide recently.

Tamara Black, left, lost a brother to suicide, and speaks to the crowd before the walk around the Harmon Field track.

Photos by Mark Schmerling

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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SHOP TILL YOU DROP

y k fun

& FUN

Foothills Decorating

2

1 1. SOMEBODY’S WATCHIN’ YOU!

The eyes of this ostrich in this very vibrant painting will catch your gaze, and follow you throughout the store, until you break down and buy it! For $75, this painting would be stunning in an eclectic living room right next to the portrait of your great great grandmother. Or not. Available at Tryon Antique Mall on Hwy. 176.

2. PRIDE & PATCHWORK

This old armchair with classic and stately “bones” has a new lease on life with a most funky and vibrant reupholster job. Coupled with a hand-embroidered pillow that celebrates the great state of North Carolina, you’ve got quite the conversation piece. The “Crazy Quilt Chair” ($298) and pillow ($75) are available at The Nest in Tryon.

3. FLOOR SHOW

This little 3 by 5 foot hand made rag rug could brighten up a bathroom, or the area by the kitchen sink, or maybe a back door entryway. Made in a variety of blue and green hues reminiscent of the views and hues of the Blue Ridge mountains, machine washable, and priced attractively at $25, this rug will be a colorful addition to any home. You’ll find it at Tryon Antique Mall on Hwy. 176.

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September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

4. NEST, FLICKS & CHILL

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Can you imagine anything better than a hanging nest to chill in? Imagination Station in Landrum has these canvas hanging nests in many brilliant colors, and also carries the hardware you’ll need to mount them from your ceiling, beam or tree. Hang it inside and it can be a cozy reading nook, or a comfy spot to watch TV; take it outside for a private tree-shaded escape from the world. The nest and hardware together are $130.

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5. Y’ALL COME BACK!

That macramé wall hanging in your grandparents’ 1960s rancher in the basement shag carpeted, paneled rec room? Don’t donate it! Keep it! They’re making a comeback in the latest Bohemian eclectic decorating craze. This one is $28 at My Favorite Shoppe on Landrum’s outskirts on Hwy. 176.

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6. FOR WHOM THE CLOCK TICKS

Did you hear the joke about two owls who could tell time? It was a hoot! Sorry, we couldn’t resist, nor could we deny that these two owls are so cool, funky and retro that they’d look really neat in a hip and modern living room, and equally cool in a wood paneled rec room.

Available at Tryon Antique Mall on Hwy. 176.

7. FOLK ART GONE WILD!

Direct from Texas to Tryon, standing about four feet tall, and made of heavy colorful metal, this Mexican Day of the Dead inspired girl is certainly a conversation starter, as are any of the Dia de Muertos inspired art pieces and metalwork in Sandy Quisenbery’s wildly popular booth at Tryon Antique Mall. At $79, she is ready to be an addition to your garden, or maybe as a sentry on your front porch to greet trick-or-treaters next month.

Each month we highlight products, goods and services available in our local stores, encouraging readers to shop local and shop small. Have a suggestion for an item or monthly theme?

Email News@TryonDailyBulletin.com with Shop Till You Drop in the subject line.

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Making a Difference

The Foothills area is full of movers and shakers, people who are hustling in business, looking out for their fellow man, going the extra mile, being rewarded for their efforts, and pursuing their passions and goals. These pages seek to bring attention to those people and to highlight their many achievements and service. Have a suggestion for a mover and shaker? Email news@TryonDailyBulletin.com with “Mover & Shaker” in the subject line.

OFC. CODY GORDON, CHIEF CHRIS BEDDINGFIELD, OFC. CODY MCINTYRE

DR. WARREN CARSON

Dr. Carson of Tryon was awarded the Carolina Trustee Professorship in May, which is awarded to a tenured full professor who demonstrates a record of teaching excellence and outstanding performance in research and in public service activities. He is the senior associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and chief diversity officer and Title IX coordinator at USC Upstate in Spartanburg.

MCFARLAND FUNERAL HOME

Whether its fans in hot weather, or TVs for the women’s shelter, McFarland Funeral Chapel is a generous donor to area nonprofits including Meals on Wheels, Thermal Belt Outreach, and pictured here, Steps to HOPE. Brian Metcalf, general manager at McFarland Funeral Chapel, center, is shown with his company’s TV donation, alongside Jay Davies, board member at Steps to HOPE, and Lee Lindsay, executive director at Steps to HOPE. 26

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Receiving awards at the annual Region C Criminal Justice Advisory Committee banquet were Columbus Officer Cody Gordon (Uniform Patrol Officer of the Year Award), Chief Chris Beddingfield (Richard Corley Award for his grant work and alternative fund usage in expanding and improving the department), and Columbus Officer Cody McIntyre (Rookie Officer of the Year award).

The banquet was held at the Legends Club at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. Region C includes Polk, Rutherford, McDowell and Cleveland counties.

CAROL JEAN VOSBURGH

Carol Jean Vosburgh of Tryon experienced her first double win at the Middle Tyger Triathlon, June 3 in Duncan, S.C. She not only won her 70-74 year old age group, she received the award for being the oldest participant. There was a 60-year age difference between the youngest and oldest, with minimal time difference.

The first portion was a pool swim, followed by a 15-mile bike race and a 5K partial cross country run.

THE REV. MEGHAN D. YOUNG

The Congregational Church of Tryon (UCC) recently welcomed Rev. Meghan Davis Young as its new settled pastor. Originally from Connecticut, Young earned her Master of Divinity at Yale Divinity School, has served as a hospital chaplain, likes improvisational comedy, and has been serving at churches since 2002.

DELANEY CULLEN

Delaney Cullen, daughter of Polk County resident John Cullen, was granted $1,000 for her project “The Little Garden That Grew.” This garden will share Delaney’s passions of reading, nature and people. Her idea is to have a garden at her local library, which will be for story time and other library programs outside, creating wildlife habitats and growing food for people in need.

EMMALYN RATHBONE

Emmalyn Rathbone, a third grader at Polk Central, participated with over 2,000 kindergarten through fifth grade students statewide in an art project organized by art teacher Mr. Michael Darpino. Emmalyn’s original artwork was chosen as one of 13 winners of the 2017-2018 NC Farm to School Calendar, which feature facts about agriculture in our state.

LARRY SKIPPER

Larry Skipper, son of Joan Scoggins, and Tryon High School graduate, received the 2017 Dr. T.R. Bryan Wilkes County Heritage Music Award at the 10th annual Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame ceremony held in North Wilkesboro at the Stone Center on June 10.

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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WORK OF ART

E Pluribus Unum Collage project takes community conversations to unifying level

The UNITY Project included collage sessions in Landrum and Polk County schools. Professional artist Eric McRay explains his technique and the importance of visual arts before students launch into their own creations.

BY MICHELLE FLEMING

W

hat does it take to unite a community? Can something as simple as a collage cross boundaries of age, race, socioeconomics, and geography? What about more than 150 collages, created by people from every corner of Polk County and Landrum?

For the past year, The UNITY Project has worked to bring the Foothills together with scissors, magazine clippings, photographs, and glue. The project originated with John Wilkins, a Tryon native and art collector with a passion for the area’s sense of community.

“We wanted to bring individuals together from all different aspects of the community, and let them discuss what unity means to them,” said Wilkins.

With Wilkins’ passion for art and the well-known talent in the region, using visual arts as a medium for the conversation was a natural fit.

Wilkins pulled together a team of community members to help the project take shape, including Francis 28

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

McCain, Julia Calhoun, Tara Brannon, Tim Brannon, and Marianne Carruth.

With support from a Community Events Grant from Polk County Community Foundation, The UNITY Project began offering the residents of Polk County and Landrum a unique chance to express themselves throughout the spring of this year.

“We worked with Tryon Fine Arts Center, Isothermal Community College, Landrum Library, local schools, and a number of other venues throughout the surrounding area to hold more than a dozen collage workshops over the course of a couple months,” explained Wilson. Each workshop was led by a professional artist, including Eric McRay, an internationally sought collage artist based in Raleigh.

“We provided the framework, the basic materials, and some guidance on technique, but it was up to the individual to determine how they wanted to create their piece,” said Wilkins.

At the same time that community members were creating their collages on 12 by 12 inch canvas squares, a small band of professional artists were also lending their voices to the project. Grace Lertora, Estell Osten, Pat Ferullo, Janet Orselli, Annette Wells, David Edgar, Douglas Chamberlain, and Carol Beth Icard collaborated on three large collage panels.

Whether amateur or professional, each participant’s individual artwork contributed to the single voice of The UNITY Project. The end result was a stunning display in TFAC’s Gallery I. Over 150 collage panels and the three large panels filled every wall of the gallery.

“One thing binds us together, and that is the fact that we all love our community. We’re all able to celebrate our difference and identify the common thread that we all share,” said Wilkins. • For more information on The UNITY Project, email theunityproject@tryonarts. org or call 828-859-8322.

The UNITY Project included more than 150 individual collage panels completed by the community.

What’s next?

•

•

Internationally recognized collage artist Eric McRay contributed his own original collage to the project.

Erika Anton and Mattie Carruth collaborated on their collage.

•

Individual participants may pick their panels up from the location where they were created.

The three professional panels are on display at Isothermal Community College through early September, and will be on display at the Polk County Senior Center.

The next phase of The UNITY Project is in the planning stages. Look for details in early 2018.

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

29

MUCH ADO

A Helping Hand Sometimes, it’s best to just stand there

BY STEVE WONG

I

t really was a dark and stormy night, just perfect for me to become a road-kill statistic.

After a big sleep-inducing dinner, I had left the extended family at Lake Summit, and was heading “back down the mountain” to my own bed in Gramling, down that last steep stretch of decline on Interstate 26 between Saluda and Columbus.

Going up the grade, you always see trucks slowly struggling in the righthand lane, some of which become overheated and have to pull over. Some cars, too. Worse to be coming down the grade, riding your brakes, and have other fearless drivers blow off your doors, hurtling themselves to certain death if they misjudge a turn or have a senior moment.

I had just started down the grade when I felt something more wrong than 30

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

usual with the car, which, at 300,000 miles, feeling new bumps and grinds among the many is common and expected. Maybe I heard something?

Maybe I didn’t? Maybe the car was driving a little funnier than usual?

Maybe it was just uneven asphalt?

There were sporadic spikes of lightning in the thick clouds, it was raining just enough to be irritating, and I was hot and tired, overfed and sleepy.

If I could just get home, I would deal with the problem tomorrow.

I lifted my foot off the brake pedal to get a feel for the road and didn’t like what I felt.

Something was definitely wrong, and I suspected it was a tire. Mentally I chanted, “Just get down the mountain, just get down the mountain, just get down the mountain.” In less than a minute, I knew I would never make it

to the Columbus exit, even though it was just around the bend.

I started evaluating the traffic, rain, darkness, my ability to hold the car steady, when the vibrations told me the time to think was over: Pull over now or die trying.

I managed to pull over into the emergency lane and center my car between the guardrail and speeding cars, giving me enough room to get out without being sideswiped. I turned off the car, turned on the flashlight function on my iPhone, and got out to see what was the problem. Cars and trucks fled down the mountain like the proverbial bats out of Hades. Just as I had feared, the back passenger-side tire - what was left of it - was in shreds.

I called the family…

“Hey, it’s me. I’ve had a flat tire on the interstate. I can change it, but I

“Hey,” I shouted and waved my hand, hoping he was not an interstate killer. can’t see what I’m doing.

Can someone bring me a flashlight?”

“Oh, no!” the voice on the other end exclaimed.

Other alarmed voices were joining the conversation.

“What happened… are you okay… did you pull off the road… are you sure it’s a flat tire… did you get hurt… we can call Triple A…” There was a cacophony of voices, asking redundant questions and not waiting for answers.

“I’m between Saluda and Columbus, halfway down the grade. Just send some of the guys out with a flashlight.”

The family was launching into another round of 20 Questions when a camper pulled up. Its headlights were blinding me. “Someone has just pulled up behind me, and if they stay, I can change the tire using their headlights. I’ll let you know.” Click.

The silhouetted figure of a man approached me in the glare. “Hey,” I shouted and waved my hand, hoping he was not an interstate killer.

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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“Thanks for stopping.”

A man stepped into view. “Flat tire?”

He looked okay: a little past middle age, cargo shorts, T-shirt, flip-flops, beer belly. “Yeah, and pretty bad, too.”

I pointed my cellphone at the tire. Even in the dim light, it was obvious some of the rubber was missing and the rim was sitting on the asphalt.

“You were lucky to get off the road in one piece,” he observed.

I agreed. “But I can change the tire if I have light. If you don’t mind, can you pull up a little closer and leave your headlights on? It shouldn’t take but a few minutes.”

“Sure thing, and I’ll get my flashlight,” he replied.

During the next 15 minutes, Bill — from Ohio with his family in the camper heading to Myrtle Beach — and I changed the tire. Actually, he 32

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

held the flashlight and I changed the tire, getting what was left of the old tire off and the little tire on. I worked quickly and efficiently knowing exactly where my jack, tools, and spare were.

Instinctively, Bill just held the light steady and made polite conversation.

We both knew this was a one-man job.

He said he was looking forward to eating some seafood in Calabash. I told him to check out a place called Crab Catchers and to try the soft-shell blue crab.

After throwing the remains of the flat tire in the trunk, I held out a dirty hand. “Bill, thanks for stopping. I would have never got this tire changed without your help.” We shook hands.

“Glad to help. Got far to go?”

“Nah, I’m almost home. I’ll be there in 15 minutes. I’m good to go.”

“Well, let me get back on the road.

Myrtle Beach is waiting.”

“Thanks again, Bill. Be careful, and eat a blue crab for me.”

Driving slowly home, I called to let the family know I was okay.

“Are you sure you’re okay… who helped you… he could have been some kind of killer… was he alone… did you have a spare tire… can the tire fixed… you know it’s not safe…” • Steve Wong is a writer living in the peach orchards of Upstate South Carolina. He firmly believes: “If you can’t change a flat tire, you shouldn’t be driving.” He can be reached at Just4Wong@Gmail.com.

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33

LEARNING FOR LIFE

Tuesday School Whether learning to drum, participating in Halloween activities, or taking a field trip to the library, the pre-schoolers learn a great deal in a few short hours. (Photo/Tuesday School Facebook)

Where Everyone Pulls Together for the Kids

BY STEVE WONG

T

he beginning of 2017 was a scary time for Tuesday School in Tryon. For 45 years, parents had sent their little ones to preschool at the cooperative, but the funding from a long-time donor had dried up and the school was in danger of ringing a final dismissal bell. Instead, the parents publicly rang an early warning bell — for themselves and the entire community — that in effect said, “We need to raise funds for the school or it will close.” Now at the beginning of a new academic year, Tuesday School is funded and ready for business as usual.

“It was very scary and sad,” spokesperson and parent Laura Smith said. “This school has been here for 45 years. It’s not just a school. It’s a part of the community. And there aren’t 34

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

many other choices of preschools in the area that offer half-day programs. By reaching out to the public, we now have a (new) very generous donor who has agreed to fund our monthly rent and match our fundraising income. We have restructured our board to have more parent involvement in the administrative and financial departments. In turn, we will cut costs by taking on more of the duties, which the parents typically had in the earlier years. We have also started applying for grants, and have some great fundraisers planned.”

There are several schools across the nation with the name “Tuesday School,” but they have no affiliation with the local institution that is housed in two rented two rooms at The Congregational Church on Melrose Avenue. Locally,

Tuesday School is a cooperative, meaning literally everyone, including parents, has to help make the school function in addition to paying tuition, which varies according to the child’s age and attendance. Typically, 2-year-olds attend half-day class on Tuesday and Thursday for $140 per month. Threeyear-olds attend Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for $170 per month. And 4-year-olds attend five days a week for $236 per month. The school day is officially open 9 a.m. to noon, but early birds can arrive at 8 a.m., and the lunch bunch can stay as late as 1 p.m.

Ideally, the school would like to have 24-30 students. By late July, when parents start to inquire about enrollment, the school had 18 students on the books. Depending on

You can never have too many friends or baby dolls at Tuesday School.

Ada Waters, 4, is a third-year student at TuesdaySchool. She is the daughter of Larah and Jonathan Waters of Columbus. (Photo/Steve Wong)

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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LEARNING FOR LIFE

As you would expect of a preschool, the classrooms are full of things for children to get into, from art supplies, games and costumes, to books, science experiments, and Legos. (Photos/Steve Wong)

36

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Left: Many a child has passed through this archway and double doors over the past 45 years, whether bubbling over with excitement upon arrival, or tuckered out tired when leaving to an awaiting car. Tuesday School is located at 328 Melrose Ave. in Tryon, with an entrance behind the Congregational Church. (Photos/Steve Wong)

enrollment, the school’s annual budget is $59,000 to $67,000. Currently, the school has two certified teachers and two assistant teachers. As needed, it has a teacher for yoga and another for music.

Dance and Spanish instruction are being considered.

“We are very excited and feel that we will have some successful fundraisers to come,” Smith said. “Our first one will be in September. Families will each be responsible for finding a least one sponsor. The sponsor’s name will be displayed on our banner that we hang in downtown and at our events. Then we will have poinsettia sales in October through November. This has been something we have done for many years and is always successful. We often have

a tent at Super Saturday in March, and we plan to sell Krispy Kreme Donuts through their fundraising program.

We did this last year, and it was super easy and a big hit! And our last and biggest fundraiser will be our Online Auction, which will be live from April 28 through May 5. We did this last year and it proved to be more successful than having an event with an auction like we used to do. Every family is responsible for helping with fundraising, but there is an opt-out fee incase families are unable to.”

Originally, Tuesday School was organized by mothers who wanted a little free time away from their kids.

They would take turns caring for each other’s children on Tuesday mornings,

while the other mothers would catch a break. Today, the school is known for its innovative and fun curriculum.

“We are proud to be an independent and parent-run preschool,” Smith said.

“There aren’t many left in the country.

It’s a lot of time, involvement, and hard work, but we feel it is worth it when the children get such a great start on life.

Some may think it’s just preschool, but as parent myself, I am proud to say, we have amazing teachers and the children learn so much, yet still get to play and have fun!

“We want the public to know that we are working very hard to keep Tuesday School a part of the community and that we still have some spaces available for students.” • LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

37

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September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

39

APPOINTMENTS

Best side of a horse

BY VINCENT VERRECCHIO

40

September 2017 FOOTHILLS LIVING

Compared to a human, the horse’s topside is relatively inflexible with mobility restricted mostly to the neck and lumbar region in front of the hips.

Opposite page: Peer through an eye of a horse. Back there beyond optic biology, you may find the “heart” that will take you to places unimagined.

(Photos/Vincent Verrecchio)

“

H

ow long have you been taking riding lessons?” The tone of her question told me that the boss’s wife was exercising her employee relations skills at the company Christmas party.

“About ten months,” I answered courteously.

“You think you’d know how to do it by now.”

That was about 35 years ago. If I knew what I know now, I could have countered that it takes 100 years to learn how to ride and every contact with a horse is a new lesson.

A lesson can be a weekly hunt seat session with the instructor’s brokenrecord reminder to keep your heels down. It’s 45 minutes with a former circus horse trainer who wonders if you can take the next line of jumps without holding the reins. It’s an hour on a cross-country course in a sheep pasture with an English Olympic Gold Medalist who concludes that you’ve got guts. It’s the dislocated shoulder slammed back into place against an arena wall. It’s

racing in a herd of wild zebra or trotting into a grizzly on a wilderness mountain.

It’s the gut wrench when a horse dips, spins, and runs as if the devil’s fork is under its tail. It’s the horse smell on your hands and the leather stains on your breeches. It’s every time you place a bit, curry a back, and brush a mane.

It’s every time you notice that a horse is thinking about you.

English, Western, gaited, trails, or rings...makes no difference. Every horse has much to teach. As the perpetual student I’m not going to risk my ego in this article by revealing how little I remember about horsemanship after so many lessons with so many professionals and so many horses – warm bloods, cold bloods, and some bloody beasts. I just want to opine about what I think is the best side of a horse.

To say one side is better than another requires a consideration of all sides.

I once heard that “as go the feet, so goes the horse.” So, let’s start on the groundside.

My wife Gloria and I shared

our first horse, a veteran hunt seat Canadian Hunter whose 17 hands and proportionate mass had exacted a price from his feet. I say with a wistful and bittersweet smile that I spent more time treating the old guy’s hoof abscesses than riding him. As it was, I learned about coaxing a powerful animal to hold his foot in a bucket of warm Epsom-salted water, preparing poultices to draw out infection, and holding the wet mess in place with duct tape. Most importantly, I came to believe that a horse could love you.

Moving up a leg to the underside, you’ll pass over 40 bones depending on exactly where you start or finish. In comparison to yourself, if you start with your toes you’ll find 30 bones by the time you get to your femur. When you combine the horse’s 40 bones with the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, you can understand why a vet goes to school for so many years.

The underside expanse can be divided into foregut and hindgut.

The foregut starts in the mouth and LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

41

APPOINTMENTS

“Mounted on a horse, you are a few feet closer to heaven.”

42

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Underside to topside, left or right, front to back...to say one side or another is better than another requires a consideration of all sides.

The digestive tract of the underside is miraculous. Dollars by the bale go into the mouth, pass through about 80 feet of small and large intestines, depending on the size of the horse, and exit as fertilizer under the typical 18 bones of the tail. Pictured on the topside is Tot Goodwin, Green Creek Master of the Hounds.

continues through approximately 72 feet of small intestine. The hindgut twists onward through 10-13 feet of large intestine. How the digestive tract works for a domesticated horse is miraculous. Dollars by the bale go into the mouth and exit as fertilizer under the typical 18 bones of the tail.

It’s a one-way trip through an anatomy incapable of belching or vomiting.

Mucking manure, I learned, is therefore comforting since you know that probably nothing is getting trapped at any one of several U-turns, dead ends, or constrictions. How reassuring it was when my gelding fertilized and stained the shoulder of a stooping farrier.

While still under the horse, find the sternum between the front legs. Behind this composite of 6-8 bony segments is the heart, typically a 10-pound muscle necessary for the horse to take you where you want to go. This is not the heart extolled in the “horse has heart” cliché. To find that mystic heart of a Secretariat, look under the forelock of mane. Peer through an eye. Back there beyond optic biology, you may find the “heart” that will take you to places unimagined. Such as a first place finish after a last place start in a full gallop race on an Irish beach where the adrenaline

rush plays with your mind, and passing each horse becomes a slow motion effect of rolling muscle and tidal pool splashes.

From the horse’s mind, move down through the mane. Compared to a human, the horse’s back is relatively inflexible with mobility restricted mostly to the neck and the lumbar region just in front of the hips. When taken to the limits of flexibility by a jarring stumble or a more impactful fall, muscles around the spine tighten to maintain joint alignment. As with ourselves, sometimes we can work out of it, other times, not. We get achy, twingey, and prone to grumpy behavior.

Humans typically never buck, but I can remember a few times when I would have tried if I thought it would have eased the discomfort. Such was the case, years ago, in the days after my illfitting saddle slipped while mounting, the horse skittered in painful reaction, and I flipped down a hill, detaching my buttock muscle and tenderizing everything north of the coccyx. So, I learned that poor saddle fit can lead to back problems. Part of the cure was a new saddle fitted by a professional who not only knew the features and advantages of the many saddles on the

market, but also knew what saddle would best fit our combined rider/horse conformation.

There you have it, like touring Europe in seven days, bottom to top, east to west. Now for that opinion.

Having seen decades and commensurate miles from horseback, I think the world looks better from the topside rather than the underside. While there are lessons of prudence and fortitude to be learned looking up at a horse from flat on the ground, what you see from the top is decidedly more pleasant. Look to the horizon at sunset from the height of a horse and the last rays will be with you longer. Mounted on a horse, you are a few feet closer to heaven. • A photo waits in all things, all places, and everyone with a passion has a story to be told. That’s the perspective Vince Verrecchio, lightly retired ad agency creative director, brings as a writer and photographer contributing to Life in Our Foothills. He can be reached at vincent. verrecchio@gmail.com.

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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APPOINTMENTS

Horse Life

HELP & HACKS

BY JUDY HEINRICH

L

ike most people with water troughs, I dump and clean mine regularly and, between cleanings, remove the inevitable hay bits, leaves, unfortunate bugs and anything else that ends up in there. For years I’ve used pet-store fish-nets for that chore, although they aren’t ideal.

First, their shape is rectangular, which isn’t great for oval or round troughs, and second, the netting is so flimsy they really don’t last very long.

Then I broadened my knowledge of kitchen utensils as barn tools! First my sister gifted me a “skimmer” from a restaurant supply store (pictured in 44

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

trough). Its total length is 22 inches and its shallow basket is 9 inches in diameter. At just under one pound total, it’s sturdy enough that you can use the edge of the basket to crack ice on your trough and use it to scoop out the pieces. And my sister’s been dealing with New Jersey ice in her trough so it should be able to handle anything we get in the Carolina foothills. (As I’m writing this in August, the idea of ice in a trough actually sounds refreshing.)

Shortly after getting the skimmer, I was in the Charlotte IKEA’s dishware and utensils section and came across a handled sieve (hanging on left).

Its basket has a finer mesh than the skimmer does so it’s great for dipping out the tiniest bugs, remnants of beet pulp and, I swear, even floating pollen.

My sister bought the skimmer at a New Jersey restaurant supply for $3.50, and I paid $2.99 for the IKEA sieve.

Both have handles that lend themselves to loops of hay-string so they can be hung on a post to dry.

Note: We’ll be running Horse Life Help & Hacks regularly in Appointments, so please share those you’ve dreamed up or borrowed by email to jheinr@windstream.net.

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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APPOINTMENTS

“Battle for the Carolinas” Gladiator Polo fall series SUBMITTED BY MICHELLE MCCONNELL YELTON

(Photo/Diana DeRosa)

46

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

G

ladiator Polo has taken the equestrian world by storm, bringing together troves of fans from around the country to experience this new high-growth horse sport.

With a successful inaugural season in Wellington, Fla., during the winter of 2017 and an immensely popular showcase game at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in late June, worldwide interest and awareness of the game has increased significantly setting the table for a number of national and international initiatives to be announced.

The Gladiator Polo $120,000 “Battle for the Carolinas” Fall Series, featuring four teams battling to claim the championship title and $120,000 in prize money throughout the series, will begin on Friday, Sept. 1 and continue through the end of the month. Two teams from each of the Carolinas will battle for their respective states and finish the series with a North Carolina versus South Carolina clash not to be missed on Saturday, Sept. 30.

“I’m thrilled to bring new energy to the world’s oldest team sport and revitalize polo on a global scale,” said Bellissimo. “The players and the league are already seeing increased enthusiasm for polo because of this modern approach. We look forward to dramatically expanding interest for players, fans, and sponsors.”

The series kicks off with the “Battle for South Carolina” with Team Greenville against Team Spartanburg on Friday, Sept. 1.

Carlucho Arellano, Mariano Obregon, and Pelon Escapite will wear black for Team Greenville, while Juan Martin Obregon, Jeff Hall, and Alan Martinez will wear red for Spartanburg.

The “Battle for North Carolina” will feature Team Charlotte against Team Asheville and will take place on Saturday, Sept. 9, as an installment of TIEC’s signature “Saturday Night Lights” (SNL) events.

Team Charlotte, in teal, will see the return of Santi Torres, Jared Zenni, and Facundo Obregon, while Team Asheville will be represented by Geronimo Obregon, Jason Crowder, and Costi Caset in purple.

The “Battle for the Carolinas” series championship will see the clash of the two winning teams on Saturday, Sept. 30.

In September, Bellissimo will provide details for an enhanced Professional Gladiator Polo League, which will launch in Wellington during the winter of 2018. The Professional Gladiator Polo League will include a highly publicized player draft and feature team owners, similar to the most popular major league sports in North America. Eight teams will test their skills throughout the season in hopes of collecting a percentage of the minimum $500,000 of prize money offered through the duration of the series.

Find game information and updates on major announcements regarding Gladiator Polo and the Professional Gladiator Polo League by following us on Facebook by searching “Gladiator Polo.”

The Gladiator Polo Fall Series is held in conjunction with the six-week Tryon Fall Show Series presented by GreenvilleSpartanburg International Airport, which will begin on Friday, Sept. 22, and continue through Sunday, Oct. 29. •

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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APPOINTMENTS

Gerald Pack was one of the country’s top young riders in the 1950s and ‘60s.

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September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

How BRHJA

Saved Tryon Horse Country

BY JUDY HEINRICH

T

here can’t be anybody alive who knows more about Tryon Horse Country history – or lived through more of it – than Gerald Pack. He is such a repository of historic information that whenever I need to check some ancient tidbit, I have to remind myself that Gerald wasn’t actually at the station to help Carter Brown off that train from Michigan in 1917.

But he is a fifth-generation Polk County native (both sides) who became the trainer for his parents’ pony sales business when he was just a boy. He grew up knowing and riding with all the Tryon legends: J. Arthur Reynolds, Gordon Wright, Jarrett Schmid, George Webster, the Mahlers of Chinquapin Farm, and the Kuhns, who hosted the Olympic try-outs at their Cotton Patch Farm, to name only some.

Another Polk County native tells me that many a girl had a crush on Gerald, who was “very good looking and rode like poetry in motion.”

Gerald was a local riding phenom who went on to compete and win at major shows and ride for British trainer Lockie Richards and rider/judge Hans Senn of Austria and the Spanish Riding School.

Sadly for the local girls, Gerald fell

Gerald and Betsy Pack with one of the young horses trained at their Stony Knoll Farm.

(Photo/ Judy Heinrich)

for a visiting foxhunter from Virginia, and he and Betsy went on to produce two sons, many horses, countless winning students, and a variety of activities for area equestrians to enjoy.

Perhaps the most important and lasting thing they did, which isn’t as widely recognized as it should be, is start something that effectively saved the local horse industry when

it was in danger of fading away. It was in the 1970s, some 50 years after Carter Brown and his winter colony of equestrians first established us as “Horse Country,” and nearly that many years again before Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) would arrive to put us on the global map. In hindsight, the ’70s was a pivotal make-or-break period in the LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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APPOINTMENTS

Lewis Pack (right) at presentation to 2017 Derby Mania Champion. (Photo/Liz Crawley)

trajectory of equestrian sport in our area.

“Betsy and I got married in 1970, and by that time a lot of the older guard had started passing away. There weren’t too many horse activities left,” Gerald remembers. “Tryon Riding & Hunt Club still did the Block House races, held its big annual Charity Show, and did the Any & All Dog Show. There was a series called The Mountain Shows in Black Mountain, Enka and Waynesville. Beyond that we had to go to Camden and Aiken to show. It seemed to us that the horse business in Tryon was about to die.

“We had been doing little shows at my old barn, but from a financial standpoint it got to where we couldn’t do those anymore. Nobody else was doing anything. So we decided to try and start some local schooling shows, and I went to talk to the heads of the Harmon Field Board: Mr. Lankford, Seth Vining and Ray Foster.

“I told them that we wanted to hold on to Harmon Field, that the horses had to stay, and that we could do shows there that were affordable and family-oriented – lots of kids, 50

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

families picnicking, playing in the river, visiting uptown Tryon, etc.

“I said I would put together a group that would do all the refurbishing of Harmon Field’s Carter P. Brown Equestrian Center and it would be at no cost to the town. The Harmon Field board agreed, so we started with all volunteers and we did a lot of work. The Hyders did all the excavation and people donated all the jumps.

“I named our group ‘Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association’ and we started with somewhere around 10 to 20 members. On a real good day we would have 40-60 horses at one of the Harmon Field shows,” Gerald recalls.

One of the first things Gerald did was get the BRHJA shows sanctioned and join the American Horse Show Association (now US Equestrian Federation). By joining AHSA, the BRHJA was allowed to use the organization’s rules and rulebook.

Gerald also got together with the North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association (out of RaleighDurham), the South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association (Camden),

and the Palmetto Hunter Jumper Association (Aiken), and convinced the organizations to agree to the same classes, fence heights and same basic rules. “One of the benefits was that members from all those organizations could then accumulate points throughout the show season for yearend recognition. That helped us create a lot of interest and got people coming from all over the Carolinas,” Gerald says.

GAMBLE PAYS OFF There’s no doubt Gerald and Betsy were taking a gamble that the BRHJA could stop the decline of the area’s horse business, but it turned out to be the success they were hoping for.

Today BRHJA has 400 members and attracts 150-175 horses to its Harmon Field shows and more than 300 horses to its shows at FENCE. Gerald and Betsy’s son Lewis is now president of BRHJA and produces its shows through his own Harmon Classics show management company. There were 25 BRHJA-sanctioned shows on its 2017 calendar, in Tryon, Camden, Aiken and New Market, Tennessee.

Lewis Pack (in the late 70s) grew up to take the reins of BRHJA.

When BRHJA started, they used judges who were licensed “or at least professional.” Today their judges are either “r” or “R” rated. “Our focus has always been on having decent courses for our horses and making it a teaching process for both horses and riders,” Gerald says. “Now our horses and riders have been going to Wellington, Atlanta, New York, Pennsylvania, Long Island – they’ve been going and winning against the top competition in the country because of the precedent we set here.

Today we’ve got the ‘cream of the crop’ coming to TIEC, and our BRHJA horses have been very successful there.”

If Gerald sounds proud, he should be. If it hadn’t been for him and Betsy believing they could “reboot” horse shows at Harmon Field through their fledgling BRHJA more than 40 years ago – and keep them flourishing – Tryon’s equestrian culture could have easily dwindled away.

Think of the assorted equestrian things that have been created here since the 1970s: FENCE, the Green Creek Hounds, three dedicated trail systems, the Western Carolina Hunter Pace Series, Foothills Riding Club, the Carolina Carriage Club, and various schooling events for dressage, hunter/ jumpers, and cross country. Between those and shows, there is rarely a weekend that doesn’t have numerous local horse activities going on – and that was true even before TIEC opened in 2014.

Those things might never have come to be if “the horse business in Tryon” had been allowed to die, as Gerald and Betsy feared it would.

The draw for horse people could have faded and the equestrian contingent moved on to other areas, as has happened in many parts of the country. The fact that it didn’t happen here is due in large part to the leap of faith taken by the Packs

and their band of determined BRHJA volunteers.

So when you see a BRHJA event on the local equestrian calendar, you should drop by to watch – not just because they’re fun and showcase levels of riding from “tadpoles” to Hunter Derbies - but because without them, the many things you enjoy here today might never have existed at all. From Harmon Field to TIEC and even the World Equestrian Games, it was BRHJA that cleared the trail. • Judy Heinrich is a freelance writer serving national clients in diverse industries. Judy writes for the Tryon Daily Bulletin and Life in Our Foothills on all things horse related. She can be reached at jheinr@windstream.net.

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Get Into Events

This year Gaffney was chosen to host 2017’s SC Humanities Festival from October 4th through October 8th.This event gives guests a chance to travel through time learning and experiencing the rich history of Gaffney, South Carolina. Always be in the know of Gaffney’s monthly events by following our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GaffneySCEvents/or by checking out our website: www.getintogaffney.com.

Fresh Decor is a designer curated boutique showcasing our exclusive custom upholstery, semi-custom bedding, case goods and decor.

221 E Rutherford Street, Suite E Landrum Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm 52

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

53

APPOINTMENTS

Horses &

aromatherapy

BY AMANDA EDWARDS

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September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

T

hroughout the years, horses have been a major part of the Blue Ridge Foothills for tourism and culture alike. The caretakers of these phenomenal animals do their best to keep them as healthy and comfortable as possible and one way to do so is through the numerous benefits of aromatherapy.

Essential oils and scent therapy have been proven to help many people through a variety of everyday problems, but the ways that aromatherapy can positively affect animals especially larger animals, such as horses and ponies - are less well known, although just as significant.

Essential oils can help animals both physically and mentally, affecting their behaviors and bodies in a positive

manner (when used correctly).

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) can be used for stressed or anxious animals. It has a significant stabilizing effect on horses that can help calm them and relieve tension.

With horses that experience respiratory problems, Cajeput (Melaleuca Cajeputi Powell) can help to clear their lungs and allow them to breathe more freely, as well as help put a stop to compulsive or unhealthy habits (such as cribbing).

Digestive problems can be eased by Sweet Orange essential oil (Citrus Sinensis), which is a non-irritant and acts as a way to help stomach issues and nervousness. However, a mixture of different types of oils can allow them to perform many functions at the same time, and cure more complex

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Stress & Anxiety Spray

APPOINTMENTS

2 oz. glass spray bottle 1 oz. rubbing alcohol 1 oz. fractionated coconut oil ESSENTIAL OILS 30 drops of Lavender 10 drops of Roman Chamomile 5 drops of Rose Geranium 5 drops of Sweet Orange

DIRECTIONS: First, place the essential oils into the spray bottle. Be sure to drop the oil in even amounts in order to assure that the ratios are correct. Drop with a steady hand and count diligently. Next, incorporate the rubbing alcohol and fractionated coconut oil, again making sure that the amounts are as accurate and exact as possible. Screw the lid on tightly, shake well, and mist onto the horse, avoiding the eye area. Be sure, before use, that the bottle has been shaken well enough that all components become one mixture, so that the oils can blend together and perform all intended uses.

problems or intensify its results.

Aromatherapy’s effect on animals is anything but subtle. In racing, horses aren’t allowed to be given peppermint oil at risk of disqualification, because peppermint has been proven to give them a significant burst of energy that may lead to an unfair advantage.

Natural remedies, although often seen as “diluted” or more simple versions of complex medicines and practices, can show obvious results and temporarily cure common ailments.

The essential oils should be diffused and inhaled through the nose, or be taken in through the hair or skin.

However, due to these often extremely effective results, aromatherapy should be handled with caution and extensive research on the right types of oils, how 56

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

to use them, and whether they’re safe for horses or other animals.

When considering the use of a certain oil or scent, the correct carrier oil must be paired along with it in order to better protect the horse’s safety. Carrier oils help to make the effects of the oil less harsh and prevent them from irritating the skin or causing unwanted side effects. Horses can be especially sensitive to essential oils, and special precautions should be taken to assure that they don’t ingest them. Incorrect or careless usage may quickly lead to sensitive skin, or a worsening of the condition that the oil was meant to ease.

When mixing oils, make sure to follow a recipe or do research into the reactions between different

herbs and scents to avoid unwanted reactions between the oils. However, once proper research and professional consultations with an expert have been taken, the use of aromatherapy may be well worth it to both the horse and its caretaker.

Aromatherapy can make a horse’s life more comfortable, which, in turn, makes its owner’s life easier. Beyond convenience, a horse and its owner are often inseparable, and seeing one’s animal unhappy to any degree can be saddening. Irritated or uncomfortable horses are very hard to work with, and although larger problems or diseases should be aided with the help of a veterinarian, essential oils can be a natural way to help smaller problems and make a horse owner’s job easier. •

Horse Fly Repellant Spray

basil

2 oz. glass spray bottle 1 oz. distilled water 1 oz. alcohol

ESSENTIAL OILS 30 drops of Basil 30 drops of Tea Tree 25 drops of Rose Geranium

tea tree DIRECTIONS: Place your essential oils into the glass bottle first. This ensures the oils mix properly. Next, add the distilled water and alcohol.

Close the lid tightly, shake well, and mist onto your horse. This recipe is a wonderful, non-toxic blend with a pleasant fragrance.

Although this mixture won’t directly affect the horse itself as far as behavior and bodily functions go, it will keep away pests and save it from painful bites and annoyance.

rose geranium

Amanda Edwards is a certified aromatherapist, member of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, and owner of her own company, Juniper Jade Essentials. Amanda lives in Tryon, N.C. with her husband and two children. She writes a lifestyle blog at www.myblueridgelife.com.

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APPOINTMENTS

A great escape

into the woods

BY PEBBLES

S

ince arriving to HERD Rescue, I have often contemplated what is down in those woods below my pasture. Deer wander up through them, tails flicking as they enter my paddock to share my grass. Occasionally coyotes roam down the bridle path just beyond my gate. This trail takes equestrians and hikers down into those woods. I have heard soulful howls, anguishing screams and sometimes the ground-shaking thunderous crash of large trees losing their grip on the hillside. Then there’s the call of a working woodpecker, navigation chatter of migrating ducks and those noisy geese gathering on the lake at the foot of the woods.

Certain, my pasture mate, tells me that he has seen it all as he has been on trail rides through the woods and around that lake. He has spotted sunning turtles, a lone beaver and 58

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

wild turkey down there, but I cannot see anything through the fence, from my vantage point of 32 inches at the shoulder.

But today an opportunity has presented itself. Someone left the small gate next to the shavings pile open.

Certain is too big to get through it but I am not. Into the woods I shall go.

Little Red Riding Hood ventured there successfully and so can I. At first, I am hesitant to go too far.

I graze on the tender grass that has been just outside my reach, just beyond my gate. Oh no, Heather has spotted me outside my pasture and calls out, “Pebbles how did you get out?” She runs back in the barn for a halter and lead rope but I am in no mood to be caught now. I must go see what is down in those woods!

As I raise my head and start prancing down the hill, Heather summons

Charlie and her husband Scott for help.

Three against one, better pick up my pace. Tail now raised for flight mode, I break into my best gallop down the path to the lake and into the woods. Charlie is in full pursuit. Scott has gone to get the Kubota, and Heather is in a tizzy.

She runs to the feed room for a bucket of sweet feed as she knows I am food motivated. This is going to take more than carrots to catch me, I am on my mission.

I am down the steep hill and encounter the lake for the first time.

Beautiful but there is nothing familiar to me here. This is not turning out to be as much fun as I thought it would be.

I have now lost sight of Charlie tailing me too. I am truly alone. Which way to run?

The trail splits. Should I go left or right here at the lake or go straight into the lake? It is big and deep, and

surrounded by more woods across the opposing shore banks. I decide to go left.

It’s dark down here even in the afternoon light as I follow the trail. I am not seeing anything but water and branches and there are no horses down here or nice grass. In truth, it is kind of frightening.

So, I decide to work my way out of the woods to find home. Something looks familiar to me. This is the back of the neighboring farm and I see pasture, looks promising. I make it all the way to the main road when I hear Certain calling for me in the distance. My girlfriends Sophie and Promise, Heather’s two sister pinto mares, are now running in their pasture as they spot me out on the open lane. I know where I am for sure now. A few feet and I can take a left and head up the driveway to our farm. Oh no, there is Scott in the Kubota, and I gallop past him in a flash.

Now hot and sweaty in this summer heat, I need to rest. Please let me back into my pasture!

Almost on cue, there is Heather. She sees me coming to the barn and opens my gate. I trot right back into my field. I want to roll in my shavings and have a good drink. Wait till I tell Certain that I have now been there too, all by myself. That was more adventure than I bargained for today.

To be perfectly honest, it can now be said that Pebbles is not the outdoor woodsy type. I prefer my nice green pasture, big comfy run-in and the creature comforts home affords. No more into the woods for me. • 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 Freeman can be reached through HerdRescue.org.

Pebbles’ S’mores Pie No campfire needed., Serves 10

INGREDIENTS FOR THE CRUST 9 graham crackers, crushed into crumbs 6 tbsp. melted butter 2 tbsp. sugar pinch of kosher salt

FOR THE CHOCOLATE FUDGE 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk 2 c. semisweet chocolate chips 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

FOR THE MARSHMALLOW FROSTING 3 egg whites 3 tbsp. water 1 tbsp. light corn syrup 2/3 c. sugar

DIRECTIONS 1. Line an 8”by 8” pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Make graham cracker crust: In a large bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and salt until completely moist. Press into prepared pan until packed.

Freeze while you make fudge layer and frosting.

2. Make chocolate fudge: In a small saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and vanilla.

3. Make marshmallow frosting: Place a heatproof bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water over medium heat. Whisk together egg whites, water, light corn syrup, and sugar and cook 3 minutes. Using a hand mixer, whip until glossy.

4. Heat broiler. Pour the chocolate fudge layer over the graham cracker crust and smooth to create an even layer. Then, pour the marshmallow frosting on top and smooth. Broil 2 minutes, then freeze 1 hour. Slice into squares and serve.

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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SOCIAL LIFE

September

I

f pumpkin spice-themed foods and drinks have started popping up in your social media feeds and landing in your grocery buggy, it must be September and the start of the fall season. It may still be hot at the month’s start, but as we settle back into the routine of school and the familiar rhythm of the change of seasons, we know that by month’s end we’ll have donned a sweater at least once.

Sept. 1, 7-9 p.m.

TOP OF THE GRADE CONCERT FEATURING SUPER 60S McCreery Park, Downtown Saluda Sept. 2, 10 a.m.

BOOK LOVERS CLUB Lanier Library, 72 Chestnut St., Tryon, lanierlib.org Sept. 2, 16, 23 & 30, 6-10 p.m.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Tryon International Equestrian Center 25 International Blvd, Mill Spring tryon.com

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Kruger Brothers

Sept 9, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

COFFEE & CRAFTS: SMALL STONES, LITTLE BRACELET - WIRE WRAPPED WITH DANIEL WILCOX Tryon Arts & Crafts School, 373 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon, 828-859-8323 Sept. 9 & 10, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

PASTEL WORKSHOP WITH BEVERLY KIES Tryon Painters & Sculptors, 78 N. Trade St., Tryon, 828-859-0141 Sept. 9, 5-7 p.m.

CHARLIE WARD MEMORIAL PIG OUT McCreery Park, Downtown Saluda

Sept. 7, 14, 21 & 28, 6:30 p.m.

FALL FEST Landrum Library, 111 Asbury Dr. 864-457-2218

Sept. 9, 8 p.m.

SUMMER COMEDY SERIES: TIM NORTHERN Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon, 828-859-8322 or tryonarts.org

Sept. 9, 6-9 p.m.

3RD ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH WALK/ REMEMBRANCE Harmon Field, Tryon

Sept. 10, 4 p.m.

FREE FAMILY CONCERT WITH FREE WHEELIN’ MAMAS Foothills Equestrian Nature Center 3381 Hunting Country Rd., Tryon 828-859-9021

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Sept. 14, 7 p.m.

LIVE@LANIER: LIBBIE JOHNSON, WHY HORSES MATTER Lanier Library, 72 Chestnut St. Tryon, lanierlib.org Sept. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at 8 p.m.

Sept. 17 & 24 at 3 p.m.

“GREATER TUNA” Tryon Little Theater Workshop, 516 S. Trade St., Tryon, 828-859-2466 tltinfo.org Sept. 15, 6-8 p.m.

ENCORE: BLACK & WHITE SHOW OPENING Tryon Arts & Crafts School 373 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon 828-859-8323 Sept. 15, 8 p.m.

KRUGER BROTHERS Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon, 828-859-8322, tryonarts.org Sept. 16, 6 p.m.

ROTARY CLUB OF TRYON SHRIMP/SAUSAGEFEST Harmon Field

Ache Around the Lake

Sept. 16, 8 a.m.

ST. LUKE’S FOUNDATION 12TH ANNUAL ACHE AROUND THE LAKE Lake Lanier, 828-894-2693 or achearoundthelake.org Sept. 16, 5-7 p.m.

SHOW OPENING AND RECEPTION Tryon Painters & Sculptors Gallery 78 N. Trade St., Tryon, 828-859-0141 Sept. 19, 12 p.m.

LIVE@LANIER: MARY ANN CLAUD Lanier Library, 72 Chestnut St., Tryon, lanierlib.org Sept. 19, 6-7:30 p.m.

BOOK CLUB AND DISCUSSION GROUP: PUSHING THE LIMITS OF NATURE Polk County Public Library, 1289 W. Mill St., Columbus, 828-894-8721 Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

STAGE DOOR SERIES: PETER KARP Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon, 828-859-8322, tryonarts.org Sept. 21, 12:30 p.m.

FOOTHILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OTHO GIBBS GOLF TOURNAMENT Meadowbrook Golf Club, CarolinaFoothillsChamber.com, 828-859-6236

Through Sept. 23 “VITREOUS VESSELS,” “AMERICA ON EDGE,” “TIDES, TOTEMS & TEAPOTS” Upstairs Artspace, 49 S. Trade St., Tryon, Tues. – Sat., 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., upstairsartspace.org or 828-859-2828

Upstairs Artspace

Sept. 23, 10:30 a.m.

WILDERNESS FROM AN ECOLOGICAL, CULTURAL & AESTHETIC PERSPECTIVE Pacolet Area Conservancy, Walnut Creek Preserve, Pacolet.org or 828-859-5060 Sept. 27, 1:30 p.m.

FOOTHILLS PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP MEETING AND PROGRAM Landrum Library, 111 Asbury Dr., 864457-2218

Mary Ann Claud

Sept. 29, 5 p.m.

OPENING RECEPTION: ART TREK 2017 Upstairs Artspace, 49 S. Trade St., Tryon Sept. 30, 4-7 p.m.

THERMAL BELT OUTREACH EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER The Barn at Parker-Binns Vineyard, tboutreach.org or 828-894-2988 Sept. 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Oct. 1, 12-5 p.m.

ART TREK STUDIO TOUR Various studios throughout Polk County & Landrum, UpstairsArtspace.org

Empty Bowls LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

61

A Refreshing Retreat we’ll help you find it!

KATHY TOOMEY BROKER-IN-CHARGE 285 N. Trade St. • Tryon 828-817-0942 Kathy@KathyToomey.com

KathyToomey.com 62

September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Experienced agents licensed in both NC & SC • Members of NC Mountains MLS & Greenville MLS Active members of the community & sponsors of Tryon Beer Fest, Business Expo, Tryon International Film Festival & more

WHY I LOVE THE FOOTHILLS

M

usician Jamie Laval is a relatively new transplant to these Foothills, arriving via Seattle and Canada in 2013. What drew this globetrotting violin player to Tryon?

“Tryon is really sweet and lovely,” he said. “I like small places and going around town and seeing people I know.” What sets Tryon apart from other areas, he says, is that it has the worldliness of a large place but in a small town, with authors and other professionals shaping a worldly and well-informed culture. Tryon Fine Arts Center, however, is what “tipped it over the top” says Laval, adding that no other towns Tryon’s size have what TFAC offers in terms of programming and presentations.

Been here forever, or did you arrive yesterday? We want to know who you are for a possible profile in upcoming magazines. Email us at news@ tryondailybulletin.com with “Why I love the Foothills” in the subject line and tell us about yourself and why you love the Foothills.

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

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ONE LAST THING

Living in the past

Here’s something you don’t see every day! Alexander Jung, 23, of Hendersonville, and his girlfriend Lauren Seacrist, 22, of Lexington, S.C., were in Saluda and Tryon August 14 having their photos taken in their vintage 1940s era clothing. Both are vintage clothing aficionados and collectors, preferring the tailoring, individual fits, care and attention to detail that clothes of the past embodied. They find their clothing at vintage stores and online, or they have pieces custom made by tailor sites on Etsy.com.

Both also like to swing dance, and they go to Greenville Lindy Hoppers regularly, and Jung says he is starting a swing dance club at NC State in Raleigh where he is a student majoring in chemical engineering. Seacrist is a graduate of Lander University with a biology degree. Photo by Claire Sachse

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September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

R YO N TBUILDERS

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

65

Marketplace Life in our Foothills • 828.859.9151

ALL AMERICAN TREE SERVICE HAZARDOUS JOBS ARE OUR SPECIALTY -Trimming / Pruning -Tree & Stump Removal -Debris Removal FREE ESTIMATES call 864-991-7128 FSBO – charming horse farm, 1700 sf antebellum house, ten stall barn. Near Tryon. Mostly pasture with surrounding preserve.

Large arena. $489K (21 acre complete); $356K (10 acres with facilities). 773-633-7186 Flat Rock 15 Acre Potential Equestrian Estate $799,900 4BR/3.5BA. + guest cottage + large workshop/garage, 20 min. north of Tryon and Equestrian Center.

Bill Palas, Appalachian Realty (828)691-7194 http://view.paradym.com/ 3743335 C.N.A’s: 8hr & 12hr Shifts RN/LPN: 8hr & 12hr Shifts Under new management.

Sign-on bonus!

Apply in person or email resume to sally.halford@ saberhealth.com.

Autumn Care of Saluda 501 Esseola St. Saluda, NC 28773 Yonahlossee Saddle Club of Blowing Rock NC AVAILABLE Professional renovated equestrian club sits on 17 pristine acres with indoor ring w/observation window, outdoor ring, 29 first class stalls, full living quarters for Manager.

Great Price. $599,000 Call for your private showing!

Banner Elk Properties 1484 Tynecastle Highway Banner Elk, NC 28604 Email: info@ bannerelkproperties.com 828-898-4888

Call Bill the Painter for all your painting needs!

We also do drywall repair and wood repair!

32 years experience.

Like Bill the Painter on Facebook!

Call 828-899-2647 Now Hiring Experienced kitchen/wait staff. Must be over 18.

Nights/weekends required.

Apply in person.

The Brick Pizzeria 214 East Mills St. Columbus, NC. Closed Mondays.

HIRING INSTALLERS NOW! GUTTERS/ COVERS & RETRACTABLE AWNINGS. 20 YEAR OLD, LOCAL SPECIALTY HOME IMPROVEMENT COMPANY 864-303-5955 Residential Construction and Remodeling State Contractors License, Great References Renovations, Roofing No Job Too Small!

(828)817-3237 HVAC+GENERAL LABOR Cooper Construction Company is hiring fulltime commercial/industrial HVAC foremen, pipe layers mechanics/installers, and general labor workers Call:828-692-7238 Apply at: 761 S. Allen Rd Tired of high fertilizer bills & no where to put the horse manure?! Let us build you a custom design manure composter.

Call Maintenance Unlimited 828-447-0669 or 828-817-4284 Houses & Small Business Cleaning Local-Family Operation D&K Rhymer Cleaning Service Insured. Call for free quote, by the job 828-817-0043

66 September 2017 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS 1 May 2016

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* Days Inn is Hiring Housekeeping Apply in person: 626 W. Mills St Columbus, NC 828-894-3303 You deserve a break!

•2 cleaners $23.50/hour (Minimum 3 hours) Save your hard-earned dollars!

Most houses first cleaning 4 hours from then on usually 3 hours Call for your appointment!

828-229-3014 828-980-4731 Dominguez Tree Service, LLC Free estimates•Insured Stump Grinding No job too small Bucket truck available 828-460-7039 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 ANTIQUES INTERIOR DESIGN ESTATE SALES CONSIGNMENT VINTAGE/COSTUME/ FINE JEWELRY Historic Downtown Greer 201 Trade Street Mon-Sat 10:00am-5:30pm 864-235-4825 THE GALLERIES OF BRIAN BRIGHAM Let Us Design Your Home

GO-FORTH SERVICES INC Integrated Pest Management •Termites •Fire Ants •Bees •Mosquitos •Spiders •Roaches •Fleas •Rodents •Bed Bugs •Crawlspaces •Moisture Control •Organic Pest Control Call 828-859-9773 www.goforthpest.com GOOD BY STUMPS Stump Removal Fully Insured Free Quotes!

Call Ron at 828-447-8775 SENIOR AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS Beautiful Highwood Apartments at 15 Pine Tree Lane, Columbus, NC (located behind St. Luke’s Hospital) is currently taking applications for one bedroom apartments designed for seniors (62 or older) and persons who are mobility impaired.

Rent is based on income.

828-894-3499 or TDD# 1-800-735-2962 EHO English Cottage for Sale by Owner $119,000.

166 Carolina Avenue, Forest City, NC Two Bedroom, 1 1/2 Bath, 1700 sq. ft. heated space.

Stand crawl basement.

Hardwood floors first level, Home to the Forest City Owls baseball team, 5 miles from ICC and the unique ”Kid Senses” Museum. 14 miles from the International Tryon Equestrian Center.

(828)919-0950 SEWING & ALTERATIONS •Women’s Wear/Skirts etc.

•Men’s Wear/Suits/Pants

•Bridal Dresses/ Bridesmaids •Mother Of The Bride •Prom Dresses •Pageant Dresses, Etc. 828-863-2331 Experienced • Very Particular HIRING CNA’s, PCA’s & Experienced Med Techs (cert. req’d) Weekday & weekend.

Background check & drug screening req’d.

APPLY IN PERSON. Laurel Woods Assisted Living & Memory Care, 1062 W. Mills St, Columbus, NC 28722.

No phone calls.

Linville Ridge Country Club Join our Team of Professionals -Full-Time Property Services/Maintenance Personnel Applications available at linvilleridge.com and Hwy 105 gatehouse. Send completed applications and resumes to tommyc@linvilleridge.com Private House Cleaning Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly or 1 Time.

15 yrs exp.

References upon request.

Free In-home Estimates!

Marjorie 828-817-6350 Help Wanted McGourty’s Pub Line cooks, food runner/ dishwasher. Come by Wed-Fri after 4pm to submit application at: 74 North Trade Street 828-859-2036 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.

Mountains of NC 1,340 sf chalet styled cabin on 1.84 acres $159,900 Great views, large loft w/ pict windows, fpl, huge deck 828-286-1666 Nelon-Cole Termite & Pest Control Hiring For Termite Department and Carpenter Helper E-mail résumé to: neloncole@gmail.com Apply in person: 2595 Hwy 108 Columbus, NC 828-894-2211 THREE LOTS FOR SALE $8000 EACH Restricted, All Wooded, Over 1 Acre First Real Estate, Inc. 828-859-7653 www.tryonrealestate.com Wanted CNA to help in private home. Flexible hours.

Must be willing to work 2 weekends a month Call 704-242-0289 Wormy Chestnut •Tables •Island Tops •Vanities •Kitchen Cabinets •Lumber Live Edge Available Paul Levi (828)712-9808 Full-Time Chemical Dependency Technician Evening & Overnight Shifts Will Train. Must have HS Diploma/GED and 12-Step Program knowledge.

Excellent benefits include: •Chef-prepared meals •Medical/Dental/Vision/ $50k Life Insurance •Long & Short-Term Disability •Paid Holidays •12-27 Paid Time-Off Days •401K w/Matching up to 4% •Beautiful 140 acre campus View application at: pavillon.org/employment Fax: 828-694-2326 HumanResourcesSupport Team@Pavillon.org

Pi-Squared Is hiring enthusiastic, energetic individuals who are willing to work hard.

Management, Team Members and Delivery Drivers positions available.

Call 864-586-1793 or E-mail resume to jim@pi-squaredpizza.com POLK COUNTY SCHOOLS NOW HIRING Visit www.polkschools. org/employment Or call 828-894-1001 Pure Country Inc. is Hiring BtoB Inside Sales Executive Must have prospecting and customer management/ strong people skills and the ability to work with professionals in a team environment.

Monday-Friday, full-time.

Send resumes to: karlw@purecountry.com LINE COOK • Fast-Paced • Team Oriented • Fun Environment • Kitchen experience preferred.

Submit Resume To: PURPLE ONION 16 Main St. Saluda, NC 28773 Skid Steer/Bobcat Work Brush Cutting, Grading, Demolition, Holes Bored for Fence Posts/Shrubs etc.

Home Site Prep & Retaining Walls Call 828-817-3674 BR/2BA House for Rent Split floor plan, 1700 square ft.

Stone fireplace, 2-car garage.

2 years old. Columbus $1200 per month (828)899-0000 For Lease 2BR 2BA 1800 square feet. Utilities furnished. $1100 per month plus security deposit. Columbus area.

(828)899-0000

$10 OFF Spring Preventative Maintenance (Reg $75) Rutherford Heating and Air 828-287-2240 Looking for a Job? http://www.rpmhd.org/ index. php/employmentopportunities Commercial space available for lease at 687 N. Trade St. Good workspace, big building, direct frontage on 176. 203-858-0488 7-K Garbage Service Monthly • Weekly One Time Service We Pick It Up! 828-894-9948 hyatt2658@yahoo.com Owner - Suzette Hyatt South Carolina Elastic a division of Rhode Island Textile Company is expanding and hiring for full-time positions, all shifts. We offer Medical Insurance 401(k) Life Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts Accrued Vacation Seven Paid Holidays.

Apply in person at: 201 SC Elastic Road, Landrum, SC 29356 (8:30am to 4:00pm) StaffMasters is Hiring!

(Forest City/Hendersonville) Current Openings: •Textile Workers •Sewers •Production Lead •Shipping/Recieving •Restaurant Experience Apply online at staffmasters.com Or visit our office at: 727 South Broadway Forest City, NC 828-248-5641

10+ Acres For Sale Equestrian Estates.

Lot 16. Mountain view.

Creek. Underground utilities. Please call 972-835-0382 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Synergy In Action is seeking motivated, dedicated employees to work in group homes and in the community with adults with disabilities in Polk and Rutherford Counties.

All Shifts Available.

Duties include, but not limited to: supervision of residents, assistance with daily activities, cooking, cleaning, etc.

Applicants must be 18+ years old, have a HS diploma/GED, current driver’s license, be able to bend and lift, and have current automobile insurance.

Call 828-859-0259 for information.

14x76 Mobile Home Two Full Bedrooms/Baths Two large decks, central heating and air, appliances, office/ computer room, in country, large lot, private drive, masonary under pending.

Campobello location. $500/month First/last/security deposit.

Taking applications.

864-804-0035 864-895-1278 Tommy’s Home Improvement •Roofs, renovations, siding, carpentry, decks, windows, screening. All Home Repairs.

FREE Estimates Home: (828)859-5608 Cell: (828)817-0436

Office/Retail Space 900 Sq. Ft. 2060 Lynn Rd. Valley Plaza Center. Columbus Area.

High traffic exposure.

Convenient parking.

Space for sign.

Move-in ready. $625/monthly.

1st month rent + deposit Lease Required.

Call: 828-777-6158 The Foley Center at Chestnut Ridge is a new state of the art healthcare facility in Blowing Rock with positions available in Environmental Services and Nutrition Services.

We offer competitive pay, benefits, paid vacation, and uniforms.

Apply online at: www.apprhs.org For more information: 828-262-4116 WCCA Early Head Start is accepting applications for Early Head Start Teachers in Polk and Henderson Counties.

Minimum education requirement is an Infant Toddler CDA. Prefer an Associate’s Degree in early childhood education. For more information and applications go to www.wcca.net (EOE) F/T CNA’s, All Shifts 3rd shift LPN’s SIGN ON BONUS NOW BEING OFFERED!!!

5 star rated facility with benefits. Great work environment and welcoming staff!

Come join the team at White Oak of Tryon!

Applications Currently Accepted at White Oak of Tryon 70 Oak Street Tryon, NC 28782 White Oak of Tryon is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Historic Home Fully Restored!

2 Bedroom 2.5 Bath for Rent $1550 Lease purchase option.

Possibilities. In town/ secluded.

Roger 864-230-4626 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS September 2017

2 May 2016

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