Life in Our Foothills December 2021

life IN OUR

FOOTHILLS December 2021

Life in Our Foothills

Santa's Annual Visit to Chimney Rock State Park December 2021

Seen Around Town 10th Annual Tryon Beer Fest

Alfard Mullins

A Living Legend

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FROM THE EDITOR

A Jeff Allison Manager

ON THE COVER life IN OUR

FOOTHILLS December 2021

Life in Our Foothills

Santa's Annual Visit to Chimney Rock State Park December 2021

Seen Around Town

Alfard Mullins

10th Annual Tryon Beer Fest

A Living Legend

Habitat for Humanity

Building Hope, Building Dreams $4.95

Down the Big Chimney, Good Saint Nick!

Santa’s Annual Chimney Rock Rappel

(Story on page 20)

Story by Erin Boggs & Santa Claus 4

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

n early winter wind has begun to blow here in the foothills, and with it comes a sense of excitement, and hope for the upcoming year. As the white oaks shed their last copper-colored leaves, and the local towns twinkle at dusk with the coolness of those familiar holiday lights, I can’t help but think that the central theme of the stories in this month’s issue is that of family.

As a boy, one family tradition I looked forward to each and every year was riding up the mountain and visiting Chimney Rock Village for a day. There was a sense of adventure in making that annual trek up Highway 9 from the far edge of Green Creek and hitting the trails with my family.

Afterwards, we would walk the shops, eat ice cream and look for arrowheads!

This month, we learn the history of a holiday tradition like no other at Chimney Rock State Park. The jolly old elf himself appears each year in full rock climbing gear, and rappels down the iconic chimney in merry fashion! This feature even includes a one on one chat with St. Nick himself. Visiting Chimney Rock during the holidays is an unforgettable way to spend the holidays with family and friends.

Also in this issue, we meet a local living legend named Alfard Mullins, and reflect on how he’s touched the lives of so many through ministry and service. We’ll also share the story of how the local Habitat for Humanity branch is changing lives for families in need by helping them build dreams. You’ll find all this and more in the following pages.

The sense of togetherness is strong within these pages. And there’s no better time of the year to focus on being with those you love.

We hope you enjoy what we’ve put together for the December issue of Life in the Foothills.

If you have an idea for a feature that would be great for an upcoming issue, reach out to the Bulletin office and ask us how we can help tell your story! From our family to yours, we wish you the happiest of holidays. As always, thanks for reading!

Jeff Allison Manager

STAFF Manager Jeff Allison Graphic Design Allison Dale Marketing Kevin Powell Ben Bouser Distribution Jamie Lewis

life IN OUR

FOOTHILLS Life in Our Foothills is published monthly by Tryon Newsmedia LLC. Life in Our Foothills is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Tryon Newsmedia LLC. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Please address all correspondence (including, but not limited to, letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to Editor, Life in Our Foothills, 16. N. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782, or email to kevin.powell@ tryondailybulletin.com. Life in Our Foothills is available free of charge at locations throughout Polk County and Upstate South Carolina, and online at www.tryondailybulletin.com. Subscriptions are available for $30 per year by calling 828-859-9151.

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CONTRIBUTORS Mark Levin, Writer and Photographer

Mark is retired from a career in education. In addition to the classroom he has had a lifetime of experiences earning a buck as a photographer, videographer, author, musician and camp director. You can follow his blog about people and places in the foothills at www.FoothillsFaces. com or check out his new podcast he enjoys with a friend of 50 years at www.garyandmark.com.

Linda List, Writer and Photographer

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

Macy Cochran, Writer and Photographer

Macy Cochran is a recent graduate from North Greenville University with a degree in English. She is a lover of books, coffee, hang gliding and binge watching sitcoms from the 90’s. As a creative writer, she often spends her time working on her novels, poetry and short stories.

Erin Boggs, Writer and Photographer

As a native of the Foothills, Erin has a life-long perspective of the people, culture and growth of our area. With a background in English, Anthropology and the Arts, she enjoys every aspect of the creation of a human-interest narrative. She is a lover of all things culinary, animals and lifetime learning.

Pebbles, Writer

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

Pebbles and Heather can be reached through HerdRescue.org

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CONTENTS 10

Seen Around Town 10th Annual Tryon Beer Fest

14

Alfard Mullins A Living Legend

20

Down the Big Chimney, Good Saint Nick

Santa’s Annual Rappel at Chimney Rock State Park

26

Building Hope, Building Dreams

How Habitat for Humanity is Enriching the Community

38

Reflecting on Christmas Past Holiday Memories

14 8

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

38

38

Appointments A Christmas Pearl

44

Quick Bites

Amaze Guests with Great Grape Appetizers

46

Quick Bites

Fish on the Family Menu

48

Marketplace

DECEMBER 2021

9

SEEN AROUND TOWN

Dana Mayer, Donna Peabody, Ellwood Peabody, and Emma Summers toast a perfect fall day for the 10th Annual Tryon Beer Fest.

Pat Martin, Bill Crowell, April Sprinkle, Peter Eisenbrown, Carl Hansley, and Dave Goss serve as “The Roastettes,” cooking and roasting oysters and mussels throughout the event.

10TH ANNUAL TRYON

BEER FEST

T

By Mark Levin, story and photography

he 10th Annual Tryon Beer Fest was back this year and people were ready to celebrate.

An appreciative crowd was rewarded

10

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

with everything you could want in a festival. The Tryon Beer Fest is sponsored by the Tryon Downtown Development Association.

ABOVE: Julie and Gordon McClung BELOW: Dulcie and Jesse Juenger enjoy lunch and their beer. Their cat, Rusty Bunshine, serves as Dog Mayor of Tryon.

ABOVE: Putting on a new batch to roast.

BELOW: Local brewery Iron Key Brewing Company was represented by Jessica Phillips, Dave Erb (head brewer for Iron Key), and Autumn Dawn.

BELOW: Jamie Carpenter and Will Hutchinson represent the Ale Trail program of WNC and Upstate South Carolina. Their group promotes breweries and wineries in the region.

DECEMBER 2021

11

Barbara White and Rich Belthoff enjoy their brews while listening to the band.

Fest scene

Kim Nelson and Amy Waldner are Beer Fest regulars. Kim serves on the Tryon Beer Fest committee and Amy comes up each year from Marietta, GA along with her husband who heads up the Suburban Angst band. She brought up 15 friends from the Atlanta area to enjoy this year’s festivities.

I want to thank all of our local sponsors, town staff, and volunteers who made this festival a success. This was one of the best-attended and highest-grossing beer festivals we’ve ever had. We are extremely proud of that in general, but even more so in the current state of our country as we all work to get past the pandemic.

We heard nothing but rave reviews for our food trucks, beer selection, and bands.

We took extra measures this year to ensure safety and comfortability, and I think people appreciated that.

As this festival continues to grow, I believe it will come to be one of the defining events for our town on the national map. We are thrilled!

Best Fest scene

Kim Nelson is the graphics artist behind this year’s t-shirt and other promotional items for the Tryon Beer Fest.

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Spartanburg friends Brian Burke, Nancy Sprouse, Casey Burke, and Melissa Beck come prepared with their necklace of pretzels.

Paige Henderson, Director of the Tryon Downtown Development Association.

Hustle Souls, band out of Asheville, closed out the afternoon of a very successful Tryon Beer Fest.

Carrie Martin and Amy Smith compete against each other in the beer stein holding contest. So as to not waste a drop of beer, the one-liter steins are filled with water.to not waste a drop of beer, the one-liter steins are filled with water.

Brenda Costner from Shelby isn’t a beer drinker, but she is happy to take in the atmosphere while her husband enjoys sampling some of the area’s great beers.

Beer Fest Scene – Food truck from Haus Heidelberg.

Helen and Jeff Byrd

Shan Ford, from Rutherfordton, shows old his fancy beer tasting stein holder he won during the fest.

Anna Costine and Tasha Congdon try their hands at Jenga.

Jaime Sanchez from Greenville and Byron Trivett from Charlotte are no strangers to the Tryon Beer Fest.

DECEMBER 2021

13

ALFARD MULLINS

A LIVING

LEGEND W

Story and photographs by Mark Levin

hen I went to interview Alfard Mullins, the story was meant to be about Mullins Cleaners. And yes, this story will get back to that from time to time.

But what I found out was that Alfard Mullins is so much more than the dry cleaners & laundry he owns in downtown Landrum. He is truly a local institution – a sage, a philosopher, a hard worker. And he’s just a downright totally decent and sincere human being. I would like to say he’s a friend, but I just met him for the first time for the interview.

However, by the time I left a couple of hours later I was feeling like he was a friend that I had known for years.

I knew I was in for a treat when I went through the formality of asking his name. I do this to make sure the digital recorder is working and to get the name right for the record. Mr. Mullins strongly stated his name as Bishop Alfard Mullins. I assumed the “Bishop” was a given name as I’ve known people with unusual names such as “King,” “Major,” and even “Mister” as one of their names recorded on their birth certificate.

(I’ll get to his age in a minute…that’s another story.)

But Mr. Mullins was quick to state that “Bishop” was a title in the church and that he was and is, at an advancing age, (I’ll get to that in a minute) a Bishop in the church. In 14

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Mr. Mullins was raised in the Mud Creek area near Inman. His family was a strong influence on making Alfard the outstanding person he is. He learned right from wrong at an early age. fact, his church. A church he still pastors at every week. That was the start of another story which yes, I’ll get to in a minute.

You can see…Mr. Mullins is a man of many stories. And all of them make up his life.

Alfard Mullins doesn’t know exactly how old he is. There’s a reason for that. It’s not his memory. That is crystal clear. Mr. Mullins gives 92 as his age. It could be “give or take ‘’ a year or two. Back when he was born, it wasn’t routine to be born in a hospital with accurate recordingkeeping being the norm. His birth was attended to by midwives – and the exact date was never recorded.

BUSINESS INFO Mullins Cleaners is open 9 to 5, Monday to Friday and 9 until 1 on Saturdays. They are located at 201 East Rutherford Street, Landrum. In addition to dry cleaning and laundry services, they also do alterations.

They are also able to wash horse blankets, a valuable service in this area.

Phone: 864/ 457-3924.DECEMBER 2021

15

ABOVE: Mr. Mullins sitting in front of Mullins Cleaners.

RIGHT: This quilt on the side of Mullins Cleaners on the Foothills Quilt Trail is a tribute to the Christopher family who originally owned the cleaners.

When Mr. Mullins checked with Spartanburg County to see if they had a copy of his birth certificate… they didn’t. They had one for all his brothers and sisters but not for Alfard.

The midwives have all long since “gone to be with Jesus,” according to Alfard, and an exact date would never be established.

Alfard says his father said he was born in “blackberry” season which 16

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

roughly meant June or July. Based on the birth years of his siblings – his birth date was set as June 30, 1929… just a few months before the stock markets would crash, sending the world into a Great Depression. It was not an easy time to enter this world.

Mr. Mullins was raised in the Mud Creek area near Inman. His family was a strong influence on making Alfard the outstanding person he is. He

learned right from wrong at an early age. He learned that working hard and being honest are values needed to make it in a world not always open and kind to someone with his background. He was determined to prove to others that he was capable of anything even with the deck stacked against him.

Alfard left the Mud Creek area to find work when he was about 15. He

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didn’t have to travel far when he found a dishwashing job at the old Hotel Tryon and in a few more years was cooking at a café in Tryon. It wasn’t long before he found the girl he wanted to marry and made Tryon his home.

Alfard was in his early twenties when he got his first job in the laundry business. That was the start of his long career that led to Mullins Cleaners in Landrum. While he had no clue then that he would one day own his own dry-cleaning establishment…the wheels of opportunity were turning.

The Perry Earle Christopher family owned the cleaning DECEMBER 2021

17

“Most simply said, Alfard Mullins is a fine person.

In his more than 40 years with Polk County Schools, Mr. Mullins served as a model to students, staff, and faculty alike. He always had a positive Christian approach to life.”

Bill Miller, Former Superintendent of Polk County Schools

Mr. Mullins hard at work at Mullins Cleaners

business in Landrum (Christo Cleaners) and other Christopher family members had other businesses on both sides of the street. It wasn’t long before Alfard figured that would be a good family to cozy up to. Alfard says, “Mr. Christopher was a good man.” When Alfard Mullins was ready to buy his first house, it was Mr. Christopher who went to the bank and vouched for him. Mr. Mullins still tells folks, “He helped me get on my feet…and I’ve been walking ever since.”

Eventually the Christopher’s sold the cleaners to Norma Mills 18

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

and Alfard stayed on to help since he knew the business. But it was finally time for Alfard to own the business himself, and he ultimately found himself being a Landrum entrepreneur. It was a long journey to go from washing dishes in a hotel to being a business owner with employees. Alfard Mullins and his Mullins Cleaners have been a Landrum landmark for several decades. He says he knows Landrum and Landrum knows him. “I’ve helped the community by serving on every kind of board and committee from desegregation to beautification

to zoning.”

Alfard Mullins isn’t one to sit still. While the cleaning business isn’t what it used to be, there is still a need. Alfard’s youngest daughter, Vivian, opens the store in the morning and Alfard comes in every day at noon.

Amid running the cleaners, he also still serves as Bishop of his own church. Alfard has been a minister for over 50 years. But after getting tired of being moved every so often to different churches, he decided it was time to start his own. For the past twenty years he has been the

pastor of Greater New Hope Miracle Family Church in downtown Forest City. Hence the title, “Bishop.”

And if that’s not enough to fill one’s days, Alfard Mullins was also employed by Polk County Schools for more than 40 years. Alfard says he never actually applied for the job. A friend wanted him to come by and help for a day and that led to an opportunity to continue.

Mr. Mullins remembers telling the superintendent, “I’m not applying for the job, but I want you to know that if you do interview someone else…I’ll still talk to you.” He also told the superintendent that while, “I’m not applying for the job, you need to know that I’m dependable, I’m honest, and I’m respectable.” Alfard got the job he hadn’t applied for, and the job stretched to years and then decades. He just retired from this job two years ago.

Alfard Mullins is living proof of The American Dream. He is still the dependable, honest, and respectable person he said he was when getting the job with Polk County Schools. He knows how to stick with something and make it work. Just take his marriage as another example. He has been married to Johnnie Bell (JB) for 70 years or better. He’s not quite sure how long, but JB is the same “girl” he courted when he first came to Tryon looking for a future. His oldest son once asked him how do you do it? Alfard, is his ever-philosophical outlook on life replied, “Keep your mouth shut and don’t try to have the last word.”

We could all learn a lot about life from Alfard Mullins.

Alfard Mullins is the great grandson of Spartanburg County legend George “Trotting Sally” Mullins. Alfard was pleased to be able to contribute his memories to the author to help tell the story in a book.

MORE INFORMATION

20

You can learn more about the history of the park by visiting https://www. chimneyrockpark.com/about-us/history/, and learn about all the activities available year round at the park by visiting https://www.chimneyrockpark. com/things-to-do/views-trails/ LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

DOWN THE BIG CHIMNEY,

t n i a S d Goo

! k c i N

Santa’s Annual Chimney Rock Rappel

N

Story by Erin Boggs & Santa Claus, Erin Boggs & Contributions from the Chimney Rock State Park Archives

othing beats the view of the Lake Lure area from the top of Chimney Rock!

Even Santa Claus himself knows it is the best place to visit. For the last 24 years, he makes his annual trip there to rappel down the Chimney, to practice and prepare for the Christmas season.

Since 1997, Santa, Mrs. Claus and a select group of their best Elves have hosted the annual “Santa On The Chimney” event, where visitors can watch Santa rappel down the face of Chimney Rock. The Park and Santa are celebrating this yearly tradition two weekends this December, and it is not to be missed.

At the entrance to the park, you see the beautiful rolling waters of the BACKGROUND: Santa waves as he rappels down the Chimney.

RIGHT: You can make your own snowy pine cone at the event.

TOP LEFT: Chimney Rock Staff will help you type your letter to Santa then hand deliver it to him!

BOTTOM LEFT: Beautiful View of Chimney Rock.

Rocky Broad River. I learned Chimney Rock State Park was founded in 2007 when the Morse family sold the land to the State of North Carolina. The initial sale of the park granted 996 acres to the State, but Hickory Nut Gorge, where “The Rock” is located, spans 20,000 acres and 14 miles. Formerly known as Hickory Nut Gorge State Park, it was renamed Chimney Rock State Park at

DECEMBER 2021

21

Mrs. Claus loves to visit with the children at Chimney Rock.

that time. The rock structure is 315 feet tall and estimated to be roughly 535 million years old. In the park, there are many hiking trails for all ages and beautiful natural features to enjoy.

After driving the nearly three miles to the top of the mountain, I trekked up the hill and arrived at the elevator entrance. It was amazing to see the long tunnel 22

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

carved into the mountain leading to the elevator! In November 1947, a skilled crew worked day and night to dig and detonate explosives. In only eighteen months, they completed the 198foot tunnel and elevator shaft from solid granite. It is a true feat of engineering to behold.

The modern-day elevator quickly climbs 26 stories to the Chimney.

The original elevator sign has been lovingly restored and still beckons visitors to the tunnel entrance.

After arriving at the top, I was rewarded with breathtaking views of Lake Lure, Hickory Nut Gorge and the Blue Ridge Mountain chain as far as the eye can see.

I am so excited to tell you that I was lucky enough to be invited to the North Pole a few weeks ago, to sit down with Santa for an interview about his annual visit to Chimney Rock! He and the elves are now VERY busy making the final preparations for Christmas this year, so I got to see him in the “NICK” of time.

Here is what we talked about: Q. Chimney Rock’s elevation is 2,280 feet above sea level! How do you find the courage to rappel down Chimney Rock every year?

A. “Well, I’m not afraid of

The original elevator sign was lovingly restored and still beckons visitors to ride to the top.

heights, you see. I fly high above the Earth every year in my sleigh, and I slide down millions of tall chimneys.

Each time, right before going up to the top, I give Mrs. Claus a big kiss and once I’m situated up there, I place my finger beside my nose before rappelling down the chimney. It helps me concentrate! I also drink some hot chocolate, eat a few of Mrs. Claus’s cookies and some pie to keep my energy up,” says Santa.

Q. Santa, one year as a child, I remember when you accidentally knocked

over the basket of oranges on our fireplace hearth when you came down the chimney. With all your chimney sliding skills, I was surprised that happened but it was alright! I saved the letter you wrote me and my brother that year, apologizing for knocking those over. Actually, we saved ALL of your letters!

A. “Yes, I remember that well,” Santa sighed. “That was the year I knew that I needed to start practicing more and training for my chimney sliding skills. I was starting to get really clumsy.

The Rocky Broad River in early fall.

DECEMBER 2021

23

Spectacular views await you at Chimney Rock.`

I’m just not as young as I used to be! So, I decided to contact the nice folks at Chimney Rock that year, and asked them if I could start doing my training exercises every year at the park. Lucky for me, they said yes right away. What better place is there for me to practice each year to prepare for my Christmas rounds, than at one of the world’s largest natural chimneys? I also love that 24

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Mrs. Claus, the Elves and I get to host this wonderful event for children and their families each year.

Q. What kinds of activities are there for families to enjoy at the event?

A. “Oh all kinds of fun things! The children can have the Chimney rock staff type up their letters to me, and then the staff hand deliver the letters to me before I head back home to the Pole!

They can also make their own S’mores with the Elves at the campfire. On the morning of the event, children and their parents can enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast. Then of course, there are visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by Mrs. Claus’s fresh homemade cookies to feast upon while I head up to the top of the Chimney. The Park staff does such a great job preparing Christmas crafts for the children to

make. Then, my favorite part is the cheerful Christmas music performed by Lake Lure Classical Academy Children’s Chorus, as well as the Chase High School Jazz Band. Some years, we even have local hammered dulcimer musician John Mason stop by to play. This year he’ll be there on the 11th. I just love coming here every year to practice my skills and enjoy all the Holiday cheer,” says Santa.

“I hope to see everyone again this year and maybe even some new visitors! Ho Ho Hoooo I am so excited to see you all there!”

Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Elves will be hosting the event on two weekends this year, December 4th and 11th, to make sure everyone can attend.

All the details about admission to the park, event times and activities can be found here: https:// w w w. c h i m n e y ro c k p a rk . com/events/list/?tribe-bardate=2021-12

ABOVE: Santa likes to ask the pets what they want in their stockings.

LEFT: Chase High School Jazz Band.

26

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

BUILDING HOPE

BUILDING

DREAMS How Habitat for Humanity enriches the community

Story and Photographs

by Jeff Allison

“T

hrough shelter, we empower.”

You’ll find this motto on the Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity’s website, and after learning more about this local affiliate of the well-known organization, it’s easy to see that these words are taken to heart. Habitat believes access to decent, affordable housing is a cornerstone of a strong community, and their work helps families achieve their dreams of home ownership.

Put simply, Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to enrich the community by helping families obtain affordable housing. They’ve been doing just that all over the world, including right here in the foothills.

Founded in the early 1980s, the Thermal Belt branch built its first Habitat home in the area in 1984. Over the following decades they have completed dozens and dozens of homes here in the foothills, using primarily volunteer labor. The homes are built with efficiency and sustainability in mind, often using local materials to keep costs low. Future Habitat homeowners are selected based on certain criteria, including their need for decent housing, their ability to repay an affordable mortgage and their willingness to partner with Habitat to build a place they can call home.

The roots of Habitat for Humanity go back to the early seventies, when Millard and Linda Fuller helped develop the concept of partnership housing. After helping to build over a hundred homes in developing regions of Africa, they realized this concept would work in communities all over the world. Habitat for Humanity International was then founded in 1976, with the first Habitat home being built in Texas the following year. Hundreds of thousands of Habitat homes have been built since.

One common misconception that many have about Habitat is that these houses are simply given to families, free of charge. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Qualified families must complete 200 hours of “sweat equity,” either volunteering their time to the BACKGROUND: The Habitat for Humanity Restore.

TOP LEFT: Scott Wessinger, Store Manager at the ReStore.

DECEMBER 2021

27

28

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

construction of their home or at one of the Restore locations.

The process from qualification to moving into the new home can sometimes be a long one. A mortgage is taken out for these homes, although the purchase price is substantially lower than the cost of similar newly constructed houses.

The funds needed to do this work come from charitable donations made by folks in the local community. While these funds are often received through generous monetary donations, a large portion comes from the sale of gently used donated items, such as furniture, home appliances, antiques and building supplies at a Habitat Restore.

“Our Restore locations are such an integral part of what Habitat for Humanity is able to accomplish,” says Linda Corns, Director of ReStore Operations. “This couldn’t be done without them.”

Landrum’s Tom Connell Habitat for Humanity Restore, located at 132 North Trade Avenue in downtown Landrum, is one of those retail stores. Along with its sister stores located in Hendersonville, NC and Fletcher, NC, the Landrum Restore offers a wide variety of interesting things to shop for. The Restore staff works tirelessly, keeping inventory moving to benefit deserving families in the foothills. Bargain hunters can peruse shelves of books, artwork, hardware and home decor. Those on a budget who are looking for bargains on furniture, home furnishings and appliances always seem to find what they’re looking for. Items for donation can be brought to the stores, or pick-ups for these items can be scheduled where employees come out to load up heavier items in a large box truck. Additionally, people can schedule workers to come out and salvage donations like kitchen cabinets and construction materials.

The Tom Connell Habitat for Humanity Restore in Landrum was actually one of the first Habitat Restore locations to open its doors in the country. Donated to the organization in the early nineties by Tom Connell, the building itself is a fixture in the

LEFT: : Neat knick-knacks at the ReStore.

ABOVE: The Restore furniture room.

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ABOVE: The ReStore has great deals on art.

RIGHT: The furniture room is packed with bargains.

LEFT: Rita Rencis greets customers as they enter the ReStore.

local community.

“You never really know what you are going to see when you shop at the Restore,” says Scott Wessinger, Store Manager at the Landrum location. “Several years back, a family donated an original Pablo Picasso serving platter to us, which raised a lot of money for Habitat. We see one-of-a-kind antiques, Victorian furniture, riding lawn mowers, just a little bit of everything. Not many retail stores can say that.”

Staff members Rita Rencis, Dawn Taylor and Conner Stanley agree that a wide variety of donated items make their way to the sales floor.

“I just love coming to work each day at the Restore, “ says Rita. “The customers and my co-workers are such a pleasure to be around.

I’m amazed at the variety of donations we 30

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

receive. One piece that really sticks out in my memory was an elegant hammered copper table that we sold about a year ago. You just never know what you’re going to see here at the shop.”

Parallel to the hard work done at the ReStore, Habitat accepts applications from families interested in having a Habitat home built, and performs a thorough process to select what families are most in need. More information about this, as well as information about volunteering, can be found at the organization’s website, thermalbelthabitat. org, or by reaching out to Krysta Osweiler, Homeowner Selection Coordinator or Lynne Taylor, Volunteer Coordinator at the administrative office.

“Being on-site during the construction of a new home is such a joyous experience” says

Lynne Taylor. “You can actually watch in real time as a family goes from a house to a home” Of course, one of the most important aspects of what this organization does is the actual construction of the homes. That’s where Bruce Gordon, Director of Construction and Doug Bailey, Site Supervisor come in.

“We take a lot of pride in these homes being so well built,” says Doug Bailey. ”We love to know that a well qualified family can be in a new home that will last for decades” “It never gets old, watching a concrete slab have walls and a roof added in just one day,” Doug says, referring to the “Blitz Build” process used for home construction. “All the volunteers are smiling when they see a house turn into a home – and we definitely couldn’t do this without folks willing to lend a hand.”

The construction of a Habitat home

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The Habitat truck can handle larger donations.

is a coordinated effort between the families who are becoming homeowners, the construction crew and countless volunteers. The lives of these families are forever changed through this process of building their new homes. They are building hope for the future, and realizing their dreams.

One such family in Columbus is the Alicia Price family, who recently helped as their new home

was being constructed. Volunteers from the Church of the Holy Cross in Tryon, as well as various Habitat personnel, spent a recent Saturday literally raising the roof and walls of the new home.

“It feels like it’s been a long process, but today went by so fast.

My family and I are so happy, and we’re proud of what we’ve all accomplished together,” Alicia shares.

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The walls, which had been pre-built by volunteers in Hendersonville and transported by trailer, went up quickly. By lunchtime a house stood where only a concrete slab had been before.

“It gives me such joy that we are able to build again,” said Stan Gibson, crew leader from the Episcopal Church. Some of the volunteers are skilled carpenters.

Others were willing to learn and happy to carry tools or shout words of encouragement.

Volunteers that day included Stan Gibson, Jill Munro, Sarah Caldwell, Joe McConnell, Father Peter Coffin, John Steen, MaryBeth Trunk, Jim Trunk, Joe Porta and Dave Mullen.

Some of these volunteers have dedicated time to Habitat for over two decades.

Alicia and her family anticipate moving into their home soon. “I’m so grateful for all of the people involved.

Becoming a homeowner, and learning so much while partnering with Habitat just

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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

means the world to my family and I.” Alicia said. “I feel like this is what I’ve worked for my entire life, providing shelter for my family.”

Stories like these have taken place dozens of times over the decades here in the Foothills. Habitat homes dot the landscape across our area, as well as all over the world. The dedication, compassion and generosity of those involved say volumes about folks in our area. Due to the kindness these people show and the hard work they put in, countless families have realized their dream of home ownership. Indeed, this story should inspire hope in us all.

If you’d like to learn more about how to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in our area, or how to apply to be a potential homeowner, visit thermalbelthabitat.org or call (828) 393-6494. If you’re interested in donating to the Habitat ReStore in Landrum, call (864) 457-2666.

ABOVE: Construction moves swiftly at a recent “Blitz Build”.

ABOVE RIGHT: Alicia Price and family are excited and thankful to become homeowners.

RIGHT: Volunteers Jill Munro (L) and Marybeth Trunk pitched in wherever needed.

BELOW: The early morning begins with a prayer and safety reminders.

DECEMBER 2021

33

Reflecting on Christmas Past

S

o this is Christmas…..

The “over the river and through the woods” kind of memory, when the snow was knee deep, the jingle bells were jingling, Grandma waited in the doorway with cookies baking, turkey roasting, and the old farmhouse aglow with the warmth of a blazing fire by the hearth, sounds like a Hallmark movie. Although not many of us actually had this picture perfect Christmas experience, we crave things that take us back to a time of simplicity; a time when small things

34

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Story and Photographs by Linda List as simple as a cut glass candy dish filled with old fashioned Christmas candy, Christmas cards from friends arriving in our mailbox, and carols playing as we shop for that perfect gift, could bring a smile to our faces.

When you picture a Christmas tree brightly lit with a multitude of presents awaiting you on Christmas morning, do you remember a special gift? The one gift of a lifetime that you had really hoped for, and there it was?

The gift I remember the most is from the Christmas that I peeked

ahead of time. I was in fourth grade and I knew where my Mother hid presents that she bought for us.

One night when no one was home, I climbed on a chair, found the boxes in the closet and carefully, so she couldn’t detect my snooping, discovered my gifts. But Christmas morning wasn’t the same. The gifts seemed empty and I had to pretend surprise. I never peeked again, but that Christmas so many years ago is one of those Christmas ``ghosts’’ that haunts me at this time of year.

I have always loved Christmas

carols. When I was in kindergarten, my mother bought me a “Golden Book of Christmas Carols”. I would spend hours looking at the pictures and singing carols to my mother, while she spent the day feeding laundry to the old wringer washer in our basement.

One year in elementary school the fifth grade teacher devised a scheme to add to the festivities.

Anytime a visitor entered the classroom they were greeted with a chorus from the students of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

Students from other classrooms were always looking for excuses to go to her classroom so they could be serenaded with this lively Christmas tune.

Have you ever experienced a Caribbean Christmas? Living briefly in St. Thomas, USVI, I was introduced to a Christmas tradition called “Challenge of the Carols”.

You wake up to beautiful voices singing as the choirs travel across the island to Emancipation Gardens Park. Some are large choirs with strong voices and island rhythms. Others, like the Water and Power Authority workers, are a smaller group. “The Guardian Angels”, are older ladies that make up the contingent of crossing guards on the island. As the music goes on all day, ham sandwiches and rum drinks are offered to the spectators. Christmas in the Islands is more about the music and feasting and less about Santa and gifts.

While living in Colorado, for several years my husband and I operated a Christmas candy factory. We were surrounded by

I have always loved Christmas carols. When I was in kindergarten, my mother bought me a “Golden Book of Christmas Carols”.

I would spend hours looking at the pictures and singing carols to my mother, while she spent the day feeding laundry to the old wringer washer in our basement. One year in elementary school the fifth grade teacher devised a scheme to add to the festivities.

36

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Christmas all year round. The Food Network filmed candy makers making green and red ribbon candy. Our phone lines were swamped after the show aired, but one call still brings tears to my eyes. It was a young boy from Alabama whose shaky voice was filled with excitement , inquiring about the candy. “It was my granddaddy’s, who I never met, favorite candy and we want to have some this year so we can remember him at Christmas.” I realized we were selling more than candy. We were selling memories.

Another year we received a phone call from a Colorado designer, Lonnie Hanzon. He was selected by Neiman Marcus in Texas to make a Christmas tree every year to be featured in their Dallas store window. He explained that he had been commissioned to make a tree out of candy and wondered if he could use our factory to produce the candy. He had created a design that called for large colorful discs resembling stained glass. It was a challenging task.

Candy is brittle and it would often shatter. But eventually the tree was packed into Lonnie’s van as he and his partner, Terry, headed off to Texas.

More disasters occurred as the 14’ tree was assembled. But when the day arrived and the curtain was pulled, the crowd oohed and ahhed as they viewed the sparkling candy tree. (google: HGTV Lonnie Makes A Sugary Sweet Christmas Tree and watch the process) My next adventure began when I opened an ice cream and chocolate store, Golden Sweets in Golden, Colorado.

Decorating my shop, dealing with sometimes cranky customers, checking my sales against my projections everyday, leaves one a little jaded when it comes to the season called Christmas.

But then a customer comes in and tells a story and I begin to feel some real Christmas spirit, the “good tidings to all” kind of spirit.

One year a family entered the store, picked out some purchases and came up to the cash register. The mother smiled and said, “I don’t know if you remember me but I bought some Christmas candy from you the first year you opened.” She put an arm around her little girl with Asian heritage. “We were getting ready to go to Korea to adopt our daughter and we took your candy as a present for the people at the

orphanage. So every year at Christmas, we remember your store and how happy we were to bring our daughter home.”

The child smiled and inquired, “Was I born yet?” Her mom replied, “You were born and waiting for us to come and bring you home to our family.”

What could be better than to be part of someone’s wonderful Christmas memory?

Owning a small shop you get to know special customers and see their lives go on in front of you. You often learn about a customer’s struggles as well as their good times. I noticed a woman who had been a long time customer, come in with her family. She was wearing a headscarf and had obviously lost her hair to chemo. I felt happiness and relief the next Christmas season when I saw the scarf was gone and her hair was growing back. I’m hoping

all is well for the long term.

So when I need a dose of Christmas spirit, I curl up with a mug of hot chocolate, a dish of peppermint pillows, and watch “White Christmas” playing on the TV. I dig into my memories and see what visions of Christmaspast dance in my head! This holiday season, plan a visit to your favorite card shop, select Christmas cards picturing that “over the river” scene and emotion, then drop them in that old fashioned blue mailbox. It lets your friends know you value their friendship and that you’re thinking of them as you seal the envelope. As my friend, Rev. Michael Carter wrote one year, “When all is said and done, in these exciting and troubling times, a true friend is a gift, a true friend is a price above rubies”.

DECEMBER 2021

37

APPOINTMENTS

Mary Alber, the trainer at Maple Leaf who encouraged the owner to adopt Pearl from HERD

Pearl A CHRISTMAS

38

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

W

Story by Pebbles

hat girl can resist pearls! The luster and classic beauty of pearls captivates us. Did you know that pearls are officially the world’s oldest gem and have been revered for centuries? Their discovery cannot be attributed to one person, but it is believed that they were first discovered by people searching for food along the seashore.

A pearl is formed when an irritant, such as a grain of sand, becomes lodged in an oyster’s soft inner body, causing it to secrete a crystalline substance called nacre, which builds up around the intruder in layers, until a pearl is formed. Cultured pearls are created through the same process, the only difference being that the irritant is implanted in the oyster.

Until the early 20th century, the only way to collect pearls was by diving freestyle at depths of up to 100ft to retrieve the pearl oysters. It was a dangerous pursuit and one that carried a limited chance of success as a ton of oysters would produce only three or four quality pearls.

Historians know that pearls have been worn as a form of adornment for millennia thanks to a fragment of pearl jewelry found in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess that dates to 420 BC, which is now on display at the Louvre in Paris. Pearls were presented as gifts to Chinese royalty as early as 2300 BC, while in ancient Rome, pearls were considered the ultimate status symbol. So precious were the spherical gems that in the 1st century BC, Julius

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Maple Leaf Owner Christie Pedder, Lucy Rollins on Pearl and Trainer Morgan McKay.

Caesar passed a law limiting the wearing of pearls only to the ruling classes. In ancient China, pearl jewelry was said to symbolize the purity of the wearer, while in the Dark Ages, knights often wore pearls on the battlefield believing that the precious gemstones would keep them safe. According to legend, Cleopatra crushed a pearl into a glass of wine to prove to Marc Antony that she could give the most expensive dinner in history.

We saved a gem of a young Haflinger cross pony we promptly named Pearl as she entered our rescue, Helping Equine Regain Dignity 40

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

(HERD). Pearl had run through an auction in Mississippi and a kill buyer was the highest bidder, until we intervened.

Such a beauty of creamy white with soft gold pinto spots that made their appearance as she shed her heavy winter coat for lighter spring attire. A lovely head, kind eye and movement at the trot that turned heads, there was much to covet about our Pearl. After spending two months in my pasture upon her arrival, she moved in with my mistress Heather Freeman’s large Oldenburg horses named Sophie and Promise. In no time, she had them wrapped around her little hoof. The

We saved a gem of a young Haflinger cross pony we promptly named Pearl as she entered our rescue, Helping Equine Regain Dignity (HERD).

Pearl had run through an auction in Mississippi and a kill buyer was the highest bidder, until we intervened. Such a beauty of creamy white with soft gold pinto spots that made their appearance as she shed her heavy winter coat for lighter spring attire.

big mares allowed little Pearl to eat first each morning during their grain and hay service.

When summer arrived, it was time for Pearl to enter foster training with Kailey Greene of Rutherfordton, NC to find a new home. After learning how to quietly carry a rider, Pearl found an excellent new career, training to be a hunter/jumper pony with Christie Pedder at her quality competition training barn, Maple Leaf Stables in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Through the actions of helping a friend, who had ample property and wanted to see horses reside on it, Christie Pedder became the owner of Maple Leaf Stables.

Her good deed led Christie to discover her desire to have a horse farm of her own. A cancer survivor and paraplegic entering her 50s, one might have questioned this decision, but not Christie. Spiritually and divinely guided, she found her perfect place to start a new life, surrounded by horses and young students anxious to learn to be excellent equestrians.

Christie and her trainers Mary Alber and Morgan McKay instruct students and horses. They also host events, with the help of event planner Sava Cindy Rollins, who discovered the farm when she held her daughter Lucy’s birthday party at Maple Leaf Stables.

This of course led to enrolling Lucy in riding lessons under Morgan’s tutelage.

Morgan also has experience rescuing horses. She saved her first equine when she was only 11 years old

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Pearl getting a good grooming by Lucy Rollins.

34 Melrose Avenue | Tryon, NC | 828.859.8322

Pearl in training with Kailey Greene.

whom she named Maggie. The pair went on to compete successfully at local shows. Christie believes that through the horses, she and her team of trainers can be an active part of the community. She inspires others to find their sense of purpose, while also teaching strong character values. Those who visit her farm can also enjoy the beauty of nature and the velvet-nose creatures in her care.

The most recent event at Maple Leaf was The Ag + Art Tour. Christie encourages her students to engage in projects to help local nonprofits, so the timing was ideal for her bevy of young talents, which include 42

LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

Kiera Hipsher, Lucy Rollins, and Amelia Marcoux, to present their art for sale at this event. Beyond the art show, other fundraising efforts came to fruition including extra barn chores to earn more money to contribute towards their goal of raising funds to rescue another horse with HERD. I do believe adopting our Pearl was a catalyst in this decision, as she had quickly become a farm favorite.

Christie took the fundraiser challenge one step further. She agreed to match the gift of whatever the girls raised from the sale of their artwork and their barn chore

earnings. A grand total of $1,000 was donated to HERD through the creative talents and arduous work at Maple Leaf Stables.

What a grand way to celebrate this festive month with tidings of joy and the Christmas spirit. Here is a perfect example of the ultimate gift, raised by precious young pearls. We are so grateful for their generosity to help us pursue our mission in HERD; to rescue more equines keeping them out of harm’s way. I celebrate these lovely gems with their open hearts. With friends like this, we are royally blessed girls, including lovely Pearl.

Kiera Hipster a student at Maple Leaf who participated in fundraising

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long with the delicious food, gift giving and cheer of the holiday season, getting together with friends and family is also cherished. Whether it’s a cozy weekend dinner with friends or time for festive merrymaking, you can enhance any gathering with unique small plates and appetizers.

Make the season special with California grapes, which are abundant into January, as an ingredient in your favorite dishes or by decorating with them for colorful pops of red, green and black. If time is of the essence, they also offer an easy, fresh, healthy snack or side dish that adds color and flavor to your table.

As a versatile ingredient that adds taste and visual appeal, grapes can help you create memorable appetizers that will surprise and delight friends and family. For easy and delightful hors d’oeuvres, turn to Tricolor Grape Pizza with Goat Cheese and Thyme or Smoked Chicken and Grape Bruschetta, each offering simple yet flavorful ways to please a crowd.

Send guests home with Easy Grape Compote, or give it as a fun host or hostess gift for friends and family, so they can enjoy a little taste of the holidays even after all the excitement winds down.

Find more tasty appetizers, meals, desserts and more at grapesfromcalifornia.com.

44

Tricolor Grape Pizza with Goat Cheese and Thyme Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 6 LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS

INGREDIENTS 1 pound prepared pizza dough flour 2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 cups halved green, red and black California grapes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts 2 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese freshly ground pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS Position rack in bottom of oven and place inverted baking sheet on top of rack; heat oven to 500 F. On lightly floured surface, press pizza dough into 10-inch round circle and cover with towel while preparing toppings.

Sprinkle large baking sheet lightly with flour. Stretch pizza dough into oval, about 14-by-10 inches, and place on sheet. Drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with grapes, thyme and walnuts. Place baking sheet on top of sheet already in oven and bake until crust is bubbling and golden, 8-10 minutes.

Remove pizza from oven. Sprinkle with goat cheese and Parmesan. Season with pepper, to taste. Transfer pizza to board, cut into pieces and serve warm.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 350 calories; 10 g protein; 47 g carbohydrates; 14 g fat (36% calories from fat); 2.5 g saturated fat (6% calories from saturated fat); 5 mg cholesterol; 580 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

DECEMBER 2021

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QUICK BITES

PUT FISH ON THE

FAMILY

MENU

W

46

hen meals at home get stale and boring, adding some excitement back to family dinners can be as simple as a protein swap.

Despite fish being a no-go for picky eaters in some families, there’s a flavorful solution for adding it to the menu in your home.

If you’re hoping to introduce kids (or a picky spouse) to fish for an at-home shakeup, try wrapping it with a flavorful favorite. This Bacon-Wrapped Halibut recipe calls for lightly seasoned fillets wrapped with all-natural bacon served alongside your favorite grains and vegetables – an easy yet tasty way to put seafood on the table.

Sourced from American Humane Certified family farmers that raise animals 100% crate-free with no antibiotics or added hormones, the Coleman Natural bacon in this 20-minute dish contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives so you can feel good about feeding your family better. Plus, with it’s paleo-friendly LIFE IN no OURsugar, FOOTHILLS

and perfect for those looking to reduce sugar intake.

To find more family-friendly recipes, visit ColemanNatural. com/Recipes.

Bacon-Wrapped Halibut Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 4 halibut fillets (6 ounces each), skin removed salt, to taste pepper, to taste 8 slices Coleman Natural Bacon 1 tablespoon canola oil cooked rice or other grain (optional) salad or other vegetable (optional) Season halibut with salt and pepper, to taste, then wrap each fillet along shorter side with two bacon slices, tucking ends underneath to hold in place.

In large, nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add fish and cook, turning once, until bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes on each side.

Serve fish with rice or salad.

DECEMBER 2021

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To all our past, present and future clients...

We wish you the ! s y a id l o H f o t s ie p Hap

KATHY TOOMEY

BROKER/OWNER BARBARA BRICKER • ALEX FRAZIER KIRK GOLLWITZER • JOHN TOOMEY • TIM WRIGHT Experienced agents licensed in both NC & SC

285 N. Trade St. • Tryon • 828-817-0942 • Info@NewViewRealtyLLC.com

NewViewRealtyLLC.com

Active members of the community & sponsors of Foothills Humane Society, Tryon International Film Festival, Tryon Beer Fest, Steps to Hope, Summer Tracks, Tryon Painters & Sculptors, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Tryon Arts & Crafts School and Tryon Little Theatre