FOOTHILLS life IN OUR
CONTRIBUTORS
Mark Levin, Writer and Photographer
Mark is retired from a career in education, both in and outside of the classroom. He enjoys traveling in his campervan and finding stories about the people and places encountered along the way. You can follow his blog at FoothillsFaces.com as well as at youtube.com/ TheCountryLifeWithColumbusMark.
Linda List, Writer and Photographer
Linda List’s career was spent in the food industry, often surrounded by chocolate and candy. Retirement and the Tryon Daily Bulletin have provided the opportunity for her to share her writing. Growing up in New York on the Canadian border, she lived most of her adult life at the foot of the Rockies in Golden, Colo. And is now enjoying life in Landrum the foot of the Smokies.
Clay Johnson, Writer and Photographer
Clay is an award-winning documentary producer and writer as well as a contributing producer for PBS NC’s “North Carolina Weekend” show. He also produces educational videos and writes magazine and newspaper articles. Johnson and his wife Debra moved to Tryon in June 2021 and enjoy exploring the outdoors. He can be reached at cj@ clayjohnsonproductions.com.
Emily Williams, Writer and Photographer
Emily Williams is a recent graduate of North Greenville University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing while working as a substitute teacher. In her free time, Emily loves to explore Western North Carolina, try out new coffee shops, and write fiction and nonfiction alike.
Storme Smith, Writer and Photographer
Storme Smith is a writer who lives in the Foothills of North Carolina. He is the co-founder and publisher of Buno Books, and has a passion for the arts. He also enjoys writing about the history, sports and unique people and places of our area.
Pebbles, Writer
Pebbles is the “spokespony” for HERD, or Helping Equines Regain Dignity, a local nonprofit that saves equines from dire conditions and in many cases slaughter. She dictates her monthly columns about her adventures, and what a rescue organization does, to Heather Freeman. Pebbles and Heather can be reached through HerdRescue.org
Jeff Allison General Manager
Welcome to the August edition of Life in Our Foothills, where we celebrate the unique charm and vibrant community spirit of our beloved region. As the summer sun graces our rolling hills and beautiful landscapes, we are thrilled to bring you stories that reflect the richness of our area.
This month, we visit the newly opened Landrum Rail and History Museum. This fascinating attraction showcases the history of rail travel and highlights the integral role trains have played in shaping our local heritage. Whether you’re a history buff or simply looking for an educational outing with the family, the museum offers a captivating glimpse into the past.
FOOTHILLS
Next, we meet Andy and Jennifer Perkins, the owners of Looking Glass Creamery in Green Creek. We learn about the origins of this working dairy farm and hear how the Perkins carry on the traditions of sustainable farming. We also visit with local artist Barbara Thomas, whose paintings on silk have garnered admiration far and wide. Barbara’s work captures the essence of our foothills with vibrant colors and intricate designs, transforming simple silk into breathtaking works of art.
In this edition, we also take a peek into the world of geocaching and see what’s been going on around town recently with the Global Food Fest and Fabulous Fourth events. And, of course, we’ll catch up with our resident “spokespony,” Pebbles, as she fills us in on the latest from the HERD ranch!
We’ve put together this issue with you in mind, and we’re always eager to hear your thoughts and ideas. Your stories are what make our community truly special. So, please don’t hesitate to reach out and share your unique perspective. Email me at jeff.allison@ tryondailybulletin.com with any thoughts or ideas for upcoming issues.
As always, thanks for reading!
Jeff Allison Editor
(Story on page 26)
Story
by
Clay Johnson
All Aboard! Landrum Rail and History Museum Vibrancy on Silk Local Artist Barbara Thomas Pebbles The Boys of Summer
General Manager
Jeff Allison
FOOTHILLS life IN OUR STAFF
Graphic Design
Caitlin Schlemmer
Marketing
MJ Parsons
Lynn Cromer
Distribution
Jamie Lewis
Alex Greene
Administration
Stacey Tully
Life in Our Foothills is published monthly by Tryon Newsmedia LLC. Life in Our Foothills is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Tryon Newsmedia LLC. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Please address all correspondence (including, but not limited to, letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to Manager, Life in Our Foothills, 16. N. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782, or email to jeff.allison@ tryondailybulletin.com. Life in Our Foothills is available free of charge at locations throughout Polk County and Upstate South Carolina, and online at www.tryondailybulletin.com. Subscriptions are available for $30 per year by calling 828-859-9151. To advertise, call 828-859-9151.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
All Members Exhibit: Summer Song
Through August 3
Tryon Painters and Sculptors
78 N. Trade St., Tryon 828-859-0141, Tryonpaintersandsculptors.com
All Members Exhibit + Guest Artist Whitney
LeJeune: After the Rain
August 10 – September 14
Tryon Painters and Sculptors
78 N. Trade St., Tryon 828-859-0141, Tryonpaintersandsculptors.com
Tryon Arts and Crafts
School Annual Yard Sale
August 2, 10am - 6pm
August 3, 8am - 1pm
Tryon Arts and Crafts School
373 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon 828-859-8323, Tryonartsandcrafts.org
Pop Up Craft Fair
August 2, 12 - 6pm August 3, 8am - 1pm
Tryon Arts and Crafts School 373 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon 828-859-8323, Tryonartsandcrafts.org
Saluda Tailgate Market
August 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, from 4-6pm 214 E. Main St., Saluda
Saluda Shop & Stroll
August 2, 5-8pm Main St., Saluda
Summer Tracks Concert Series: Hearts Gone South
August 2, 7pm
Rogers Park
55 W. Howard St., Tryon Facebook.com/ SummerTracksTryonNC AUGUST 16
Summer Tracks Concert Series: The Dancing Fleas 7pm Rogers Park 55 W. Howard St., Tryon Facebook.com/SummerTracksTryonNC
Columbus Farmers Market
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
8am-12pm Courthouse St., Columbus
Landrum Farmers Market
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
8am-12pm
221 W. Rutherford St., Landrum Landrumfarmersmarket.com
Yoga @ Your Library
August 5, 12, 19, 26 at 6pm Landrum Library
111 Asbury Dr., Landrum
Speaker Series: Water Quality in Streams and Rivers of Upstate South Carolina
August 6, 6pm
Landrum Library
111 Asbury Dr., Landrum ConservingCarolina.org
Pages at the Park
August 6, 6:30pm McCreery Park, Saluda Polklibrary.org
Airing of the Quilts
August 17, 9am-2pm N. Trade Ave., Landrum LandrumQuilters.com
The North American Beaver Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series
August 17, 10:30 am Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center
179 Wood Thrush Lane, Mill Spring ConservingCarolina.org
Fourth Friday in Tryon
August 23, 5-7pm Trade St., Downtown Tryon
Music at the Market: Rock ‘n’ Roll Reunion
August 24, 7pm
Landrum Farmers Market
221 W. Rutherford St., Landrum Landrumfarmersmarket.com
FOOTHILLS DISCOVERIES
Compiled and
Photographed by Mark Levin
Each month you’ll be introduced to something in our area that’s worth some exploration. Some of these will be familiar, but perhaps you’ve never been or haven’t been in years. And others might be things you have never heard of or thought to visit. All of these will be family-friendly and either free or inexpensive. Get out there!
GEOCACHING – HIGH TECH OUTDOOR ACTIVITY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
If you’ve never heard of geocaching or have heard of it but didn’t know how to get started, you’re in luck. As an activity, geocaching has been around since 2020, when civilians were allowed to tap into the power of the government’s GPS satellite system. Geocaching is the perfect family activity that can be enjoyed just about anywhere you are – including here at home and around the globe. All it takes is a free app on your smartphone (or a standalone handheld GPS receiver) and a spirit of adventure.
RATINGS INCLUDE:
Size of Container which can be as small a pill bottle or as large as a metal ammo box.
Difficulty of Terrain which can be totally flat to downright hilly.
Difficulty of Find which can be easy (and almost obvious) to one that involves several stages and a lot of thinking!
Geocaching combines being outdoors with technology. It’s a wonderful way for computer addicts to at least get a little exercise outside. Kids and tweens will love it, teens might love it (even if they hide their excitement), and adults should find it both challenging and fun.
You start by going to geocaching.com and opening a basic
When searching for a geocache, this symbol means that the cache has more than one stage. They’re called multicaches.
account. It’s free. While you’re there, go ahead and watch the 75-second overview video. Once your account is open (which just takes a couple of minutes), you can start searching for nearby geocaches.
In basic terms, a geocache is a container hidden (often in plain sight), and its GPS coordinates are posted on the Geocaching.com website. A player opens the app, searches for nearby geocaches, chooses one, and starts navigating to it. Once found, the finder signs the logbook or log sheet (inside the geocache), replaces the geocache with the exact spot where it was found, and then hits the “found it” button in the app. And then, you search for the next nearest geocache. They will be at least 528 feet apart. By your third find, I’m guessing you will be hooked. You’ll become more proficient with each find.
While it “can” be as simple as that, some geocaches can be tricky and extremely challenging to find. Each geocache is rated by the person who placed it.
This icon represents geocaches that consist of a single set of coordinates. That doesn’t mean it’s necessarily an easy find.
Geocaching is the perfect activity for families – it’s intriguing, fun, and challenging. (Photo supplied by Groundspeak.)
This geocache container is about as small as it gets. It’s barely large enough to hold a rolled-up log sheet and attaches to a surface by a magnet. (Photo supplied by Groundspeak.)
Geocaching containers can be almost anything that is watertight. Here are eight examples of containers, including some of the smallest ones. Hiders love to be creative. (Photo supplied by Groundspeak.)
Occasionally, it takes a little help to find a cache. Landrum Library Branch Manager Anna Pilston was happy to offer a couple of hints to help geocachers find a multicache at the Landrum Library. Each library branch in Spartanburg County has hidden a geocache. You can pick up a passport at your nearest branch and collect a sticker with each find.
MORE TO KNOW
A traditional cache consists of a single set of GPS coordinates that will lead you to the cache. A multicache will have at least one extra stage and can have several. In other words, the first coordinates take you to a place where you must do a little sleuthing to find the next set of coordinates. Owners of the cache sometimes leave a hint for you in their notes, and finders will often leave comments about the find that might contain clues. The larger caches often have trinkets inside. Kids love those. The rule is, to leave something of equal or greater value than you take. There is a “premium” membership in Geocaching.com that you might want to explore once you’re hooked. It runs $40 a year, which is a bargain for all the joy this activity can bring you and your family. It helps support Groundspeak, the parent of Geocaching.com, and gives you more features, including more geocaches, since some are for “premium members” only.
There are dozens of caches in our area, including one somewhere in the vicinity of this sign.
Rich Bauer and his granddaughter, Ally, show off a recent find.
SEEN AROUND TOWN
TRYON FOURTH FRIDAY & GLOBAL FOOD FEST
Photos by Mark Levin
Fourth Fridays are always special in Tryon, but downtown was busting at the seams during the evening of June 28. In addition to stores staying open late as usual for Fourth Fridays, the town was also hosting the first-ever Global Food Fest with a dozen shops and individuals serving up international food delicacies. And that’s just for starters. The Tryon Fine Arts Center also provided an evening of activities to complement the Tryon Downtown Development Association’s ever-popular Fourth Friday event. TFAC provided two JAM bands from the regional Junior Appalachian Musicians program to entertain on the plaza. They also hosted a jam session featuring over twenty-five multi-generational musicians from the local PacJAM program in the Amphitheater and square dancing and cakewalks inside the Pavilion.
as
erational
either
or adult
instructors.
Riley, Emma, and Scott Meyer of Campobello enjoyed listening to music by some fellow JAM students. Riley is in the PacJAM program.
The Falling Timber Band from Asheville was another example of JAM kids growing up with music.
Andrew Reiff is dressed up almost as nice as Mayor Alan People’s VW bus.
Scene from the music jam taking place in the Tryon Fine Arts Center Amphitheater. Virtually all the musicians (more than 25) are part of the PacJAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) program as
youth
students as well
PacJAM
It was truly a multigen-
display of amazing talent.
Steven Siler and Clara Glaze represented the Tryon Fire Department at the first-ever NC Global Food Fest.
The Cakewalks were popular, particularly enjoyable with Laura Peek having a “theme” for each walk. These kids are pretending to be raccoons.
The Newfound Gap family band from Leicester entertained on the Plaza. They are one of the regional JAM bands and performed last year at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival.
Sonya Twitty of Higher Academia Academic Services might not run a kitchen, but she was handing out delicious sopaipillas.
Cornelia Scibetta and Ann Stimm offer food nourishment in addition to providing thriving artists a place to grow and show their artistic talents.
Matt & Teresa Finlay, Ken & Cindy Kay Rhye, and Mary Jo Kellogg loved Friday night’s lively downtown scene.
Square Dancing was a hit with kids being joined by parents and grandparents.
Katie of K.D.’s Sea Shack serves up a tasty seafood snack of coconut curry shrimp.
COLUMBUS’ FABULOUS FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Photos by Mark Levin
These boys might have just about had enough fun. Actually, they’re just getting warmed up.
Jewell Lynch-Huntsinger and Pat McCool chat with visitors about the Polk County History Museum, just around the corner from the festivities.
The Ravan family from Mill Springs gets an early start to a fun day.
The Queen and Wright Families from Saluda and Hendersonville.
Laura and Elizabeth Peak arrived early to beat the heat.
Classic car owners grab a bit of shade while the competition heats up.
Members of the Crossroads Baptist Church offer a variety of free games and free prizes, a church tradition.
a
Members
Harper Anderson from Forest City says the drive was well worth it.
Kyle Brooks from Inman shines when he talks about his 1930 Ford Model A that has been in the family since 1980.
The Kitchen family from Tryon.
The Girl Scouts from Troops 1819 (Columbus) and 10071 (Mill Spring) sing
selection of patriotic songs to celebrate the occasion.
of the Polk County Honor Guard, made up of local members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, show their support.
All Aboard! Landrum Rail and History Museum
Trains have been a rich part of American history since the mark of the Industrial Revolution. The railroad system allowed new job opportunities, opened the frontier for rapid westward expansion, and expedited the process of transporting commodities. Essentially, trains helped America flourish into the
modern, industrialized, hyperconnected nation it is today.
The benefits of the railroad also allowed for more cities to be formed both out West and here on the East Coast, as was the case with the city of Landrum, founded in 1883 due to the building of the Saluda Grade Railroad. Before the railroad, Landrum was nothing
more than a small farming community four miles west of where the town is currently established. Because of the railroad’s economic impact on the area, though, a thriving community was built around commerce, and a new age of modern technology was born. To pay homage to the way the Saluda Grade Railroad
Story and photography by Emily Williams
New Railroad History Museum Stationed in Downtown Landrum
prompted the establishment of Landrum, the City Council has worked for the past several years to create a museum honoring the history of the railroad. Their vision came to fruition through the opening of the Landrum Rail and History Museum on April 27th of this year. Mayor Bob Briggs, Landrum’s marketing director Tricia Taber, and city council liaison Judy Henderson share behind-the-scenes information on the curation of the museum, the purpose for its establishment, and the public’s reaction to the museum since its grand opening.
The Landrum Rail and History Museum is built inside an old railcar aptly named the Pacolet River. Years ago, this very passenger car regularly passed through Landrum, carrying vacationers, businessmen, and other travelers to various
Outside of the remodeled historic Landrum Train Depot
destinations in the Southeast. According to Mayor Briggs, the town knew as early as 2016 that they wanted to utilize a railcar as the building for the museum.
“We wanted to have a museum to tell our story, and we really wanted to involve the railroad,” the mayor shares. “Since it would be a railcar museum, we thought having it as a railcar would be kind of cool.”
Landrum City Council spent many months searching for the perfect railcar, but it was not until 2018 that Ken Oosting from Nashville, Tennessee, contacted the city of Landrum about donating the Pacolet River railcar. All the city had to do was transport it from Nashville to the Foothills, and their vision was ready to become reality.
While a few bumps in the road extended the project timeline in remodeling the Pacolet River, the county persevered with the help
of the Landrum Rail and History Museum Board and the efforts of the City Council. “It’s taken a while for us to get here, but it’s wonderful to see it completed,” states Mayor Briggs.
It certainly is wonderful to see the completed project. The tireless effort and attention to detail put into each aspect of the museum is undeniable, from the restoration of the shiny metal exterior to the reinvented layout of the interior. The town even paid special attention to creating an inviting entryway with a delightfully charming automatic voiceover that says, “All Aboard!” each time a visitor steps inside.
Upon entering the railcar, one is captured by the clear organization of the museum’s photographs, panels, and artifacts. Guests follow a loop of panels thoughtfully categorized in chronological
Panel sharing information on the early years of the Saluda Grade Railroad
Compact bathroom unit included in every sleeper car
order, beginning with facts on the original settlers and indigenous people in the area, continuing with the development of Landrum and the growth of its railroad system, and ending with insight on the current flourishing of the town and the forthcoming Saluda Grade Rail Trail project led by Conserving Carolina. Some of the photographs for these panels were donated by locals, but many came from the archives of Landrum’s newspaper, The News Leader. The town’s marketing director, Tricia Taber, was a valuable source in obtaining these archived photos because she used to serve as
editor of the paper.
At the far end of the railcar facility are a case of artifacts donated for display by the city and by long-time locals and a preserved passenger sleeper car from the original railcar.
“Looking at the little room in here and the way it’s configured, the way the sink folds down and everything is compact—railcars were like a predecessor of the RV industry,” states Mayor Briggs. “It’s unique to see the engineering that went behind places for people to feel comfortable for a few days as they traveled where they needed to go.”
“We did hire a museum
The Pacolet River has been given new life
Railway freight receipt book from the early 1940s
The organized and sleek interior of the new railcar museum
design company,” shares Judy Henderson, who has served on the museum board since 2018 and currently acts as the museum liaison for Landrum City Council. Henderson credits the visual appeal of the museum’s design to the work of Capital Museum in Northern Virginia, as well as the installation work performed by the Solomon Group from New Orleans. Without the help of these organizations, she believes the project would not have turned out as successful as it has.
Grants from the Appalachian Regional Council and Parks and Recreation of South Carolina made hiring professional crews to design and build the museum possible. In response to other fees not covered by the grants, Mayor Briggs states, “What’s left, we pay out of our hospitality fund, so it’s not a burden to the
Before and after photos when the railcar was stripped and cleaned
taxpayers in Landrum.”
Without a doubt, the establishment of the Landrum Rail and History Museum has a distinct purpose that will entice the public.
“I think Landrum has such a rich history, and being able to share that is very important to our future,” states Taber. “The museum is a really unique place to share the history of Landrum for our community, as well as for people who come to visit. We are really excited we have this venue for people to come and enjoy.”
Although the grand opening was April 27th, the first day the museum was open to the public was Saturday, June 1st. As a member of the museum board, Henderson acted as a docent for two hours that first day. “We had twenty-nine people come in during the hours I was
Various artifacts donated to the museum are on display
here—people of all ages from all over the area. So, it seemed to be pretty popular. I was answering questions and telling people which direction to go and pointing things out, so it was a fun two hours.” The first Saturday for the new museum attracted one hundred twelve patrons in total, a positive turnout that has made the museum board hopeful for the future.
Currently, the museum is open every Saturday, but as they find more volunteers and form a schedule of availability, days of operation will increase. The Landrum Rail and History Museum will continue to grow to reach more people and continue to capture the town’s history. The museum is even designed for growth, with empty panels so the town can continue to record history as it unfolds.
In the future, the museum board also hopes to have
a rotating exhibit with a train or community-related theme, and they also hope to include schools through class trips so children can learn more about local history.
The museum also anticipates greater attention once the Saluda Grade Rails to Trails project begins.
Landrum’s new museum is the perfect stop for anyone who loves trains or who desires to know more about the Landrum community.
“We just want everybody to come and see it for themselves,” says Henderson.
“It is a great place for families and friends to come together, pause from daily life, and soak in the beautiful knowledge that comes from learning history.”
To plan your visit to the Landrum Rail and History Museum, stay updated on the hours of operation, sign up to volunteer, or donate artifacts, visit https:// cityoflandrumsc.com/.
Restored sleeper car interior
Railroad sculpture donated to Landrum to commemorate the Saluda Grade Railway
A Taste of Tradition
WThe Journey of Looking Glass Creamery
ho doesn’t love ice cream, especially on a hot summer day?
But as you’re licking the drops running down the side of your cone, did you ever think about the work that goes into making that delicious delight or the succulent cheese you enjoyed in a dish at your favorite local restaurant?
Let your curiosity guide you to Looking Glass Creamery. It’s a 226-acre dairy operation in the
Green Creek community and one of the largest working farms in Polk County, but it’s far more than just a place that raises cows and produces milk. For visitors, it’s a destination that offers education.
“Just getting a full, real working farm experience, particularly a dairy farm, which, as everybody knows, small dairies are disappearing from the landscape quickly, so we hope they get to see that, experience it,
Story and photography by Clay Johnson Additional photos courtesy of Looking Glass Creamery
and enjoy the products we make,” says co-owner Andy Perkins. “We have people who come for 15 minutes and grab something and leave, and we have people who stay two hours and explore, enjoy, and hang
out.” It all started in Fairview, North Carolina, when Perkins and his wife
Jennifer built Looking Glass Creamery next to their small cabin. They didn’t have cows but instead bought
and processed about 50 gallons of milk a week from local dairies to make cheese. They sold it to Asheville restaurants and secured a contract with WilliamsSonoma, which bought and featured a collection of
their cheeses and shipped it to customers nationwide. In 2013, the Perkins added a cheese shop and began welcoming visitors to buy their cheese and enjoy wine and cheese boards. Early on, the Perkins
Cheesemaking (Courtesy of Looking Glass Creamery)
had two visitors to the creamery, Doug and Al Harmon, who owned and operated a dairy farm in Green Creek. The Harmons were on a learning tour, asking the Perkins about their operation. It turned out to be a serendipitous visit. Years later, the Perkins were looking for new sources of quality milk, found the Harmon’s phone number, and drove down from Fairview to visit the Harmon’s farm, thinking along the way that it was too far of a drive to buy milk.
“And then we drove up to the farm, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is beautiful.’ The cows were beautiful, and they were very welcoming,” says Andy’s wife and dairy co-owner Jennifer Perkins. “We walked into the milking parlor, and I was sold before I left the building. I was like we need to be buying this milk. We’ll drive farther and do it.”
By 2016, Looking Glass Creamery had outgrown its small operation in Fairview and needed more production space and a reliable milk supply.
“We were planning to expand, but we didn’t know what that looked like, and it didn’t include buying a dairy,” says Andy. “It was probably going to be an urban creamery concept where would have milk trucked into a very popular destination where you get a lot of walk-in traffic.”
Then, the Perkins got a call from the Harmons, who wanted to know if they were interested in buying their dairy. It was an answer to the Perkins’ questions about how to expand their operation sustainably and have the quality milk they needed to make quality cheese. The Perkins purchased Harmon Farm in 2017 and immediately began building a new
Customers enjoy panoramic views outside the farm store
creamery.
Cheese production moved down from Fairview in August 2018, and construction began on the farm store, which opened in late 2019.
At the end of 2019, the Perkins switched to a seasonal dairy model, taking a break from late December until calving begins in midFebruary. It gives both them and the cows a break and allows time for maintenance and repairs.
“We stop making cheese, but having a cellar full of cheese enables us to never have to tell people we’re out of cheese,” says Jennifer.
The Perkins say that the seasonal model is how many small family dairy farms operated before they were pressured to grow and milk more cows and milk year-round by the milk cooperatives. The Perkins don’t sell to milk cooperatives, so they don’t
feel that pressure. They remain seasonal and small because they use all the milk from their cows to make cheese on their own farm and sell most of it directly to their customers.
“We don’t want to just get bigger and bigger. We want to do different things and manage what we’re doing here,” says Jennifer.
The Perkins milk about 25 to 30 cows, mixing a blend of breeds which they say makes for better cheese. They produce about eight different kinds, including their own versions of popular cheeses like brie, cheddar, feta and Swiss.
In 2020, Looking Glass Creamery added hard apple cider, feeding the spent apples to the cows. In 2021, the creamery started making pickles and preserves and planted a demonstration garden for visitors to enjoy. In addition to the hard cider, pickles, preserves,
A visitor feeding goats on the farm
Customers enjoy the ambiance inside the farm store
and cheese, the store sells grilled cheese sandwiches, custom charcuterie boards, a selection of specialty foods, wine by the glass, and, of course, ice cream, with the usual favorites like chocolate and butter pecan and some not so usual flavors like blueberry basil and lemon poppyseed.
The Perkins are proud to carry on the tradition of dairy farming that the Harmons started here more than 75 years ago while also inviting the public to enjoy what they’ve created.
“It’s not one experience. I think it’s kind of choose your own adventure,” says Jennifer. “If you want to immerse yourself and go for a hike and pick flowers and do whatever, knock yourself out. If you want to just pop in, say hello, grab an ice cream cone and go, that’s fine too.”
Capturing Vibrancy on Silk
Barbara Thomas is an artist whose name in the Foothills area has become synonymous with vibrant and captivating abstract silk paintings. Her work, which blends traditional Asian art forms with contemporary techniques,
showcases a unique blend of color, texture, and emotion. A Columbus resident, Thomas has garnered recognition for her stunning silk paintings and her passion for the arts.
The Journey of a Silk Artist Thomas’ journey as a silk
painter is deeply rooted in her family’s artistic legacy. Growing up as the daughter of artists, she was exposed to the art world from an early age. Her mother, acclaimed for her expertise in Sumi-E, or black ink painting, significantly influenced her
Story and photography by Storme Smith
Local Artist Barbara Thomas
artistic pursuits. During her seven years of studying this technique with Japanese artist Ann Kobayashi, Thomas developed a profound appreciation for traditional Asian art forms, particularly Japanese ink painting and rice paper collages.
A walk through her house showcases the art of her father and mother and her own, along with numerous hand-crafted pottery pieces by her partner, Jim Cullen. Her personal art journey began as a child but continued as she studied at New York’s Parsons School of Design and the School of Visual Arts. There, she discovered a unique intersection between her love of color and brush painting techniques. This moment led her to experiment with fabric, ultimately sparking her commitment to silk painting.
A lampshade designed by Thomas.
Silk as a Canvas
Thomas’ signature silk paintings are a testament to her commitment to the medium. She creates vivid and colorful works of art using timeworn techniques, traditional dyes, and silk. Her paintings exude a sense of vibrancy and originality, often using abstract elements to convey unique narratives with each creation.
“Silk painting can be done with dyes or paint,” Thomas explains. The dyes have to be steam set to make them permanent, which makes them combine with the fiber. Where paint is on the surface, and they make the fabric a little bit thicker.”
The Process of Creation
Working with silk presents its own set of challenges. Thomas meticulously stretches the damp silk fabric on a frame, ensuring it is taut and
Thomas uses a sewing machine to add beads and embellishments to her work.
Artist Barbara Thomas sits beside some of her pieces displayed in her home.
“I could come up with a plan. But in the end, with abstract art, it tends to find its own way. I’ve stuck with silk painting because I really love to play with the colors. It’s very intuitive.
primed for painting. The nature of silk means that the artist needs to have complete control over how the paint flows onto the fabric, resulting in abstract works that seem to unfold on its own terms.
“You can control it slightly in different ways, with a painted background or by sizing, stiffening the fabric,” says Thomas
In addition to her silk work, Thomas embraces other mediums such as cotton, linen, and rice paper. This diversity allows her to explore different textures and compositions, adding layers of complexity to her art. Whether she is incorporating hand-painted collages on rice paper or integrating stitched fabric, beads, or stones, Thomas continues to push the boundaries of her creativity.
“I don’t get nervous
Thomas shows off some of the silk scarves she’s made.
stitching. I get nervous signing my name,” Thomas laughingly says. “I now sign my pieces with Bobbie, because it’s shorter and not as likely to mess it up.”
Exploring New Frontiers
Thomas’ artistic portfolio extends beyond silk painting, encompassing mixed-media works and a diverse range of experiences in the art world. Her background spans graphic design to interior design, reflecting her multidisciplinary approach to creativity. Thomas has dedicated over 25 years to working with various fibers and textiles.
“I could come up with a plan,” says Thomas. “But in the end, with abstract art, it tends to find its own way. I’ve stuck with silk painting because I really love to play with the colors. It’s very intuitive.”
She also works making
YEAR-ROUND DINING
jewelry and lamps.
As a dedicated member of the arts community, Thomas remains deeply involved in volunteer work, further solidifying her commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression. Her contributions to Tryon Painters and Sculptors and her local community highlight her enduring passion for art and her desire to nurture emerging talents.
A Visionary Artist
Barbara Thomas’ artistic vision leads her to intertwine tradition with innovation to create timeless pieces that resonate with audiences. As she continues to evolve as an artist, her work stands as a testament to the transformative power of art and its ability to inspire and uplift the human spirit. Her work can be found at Tryon Painters & Sculptors and 80Six Gallery.
Pillowcases painted by Thomas.
The Boys of Summer
This sultry summer is a tipping point for us. For the first time since Helping Equines Regain Dignity (HERD) was founded in 2015, we have more colts than fillies in our rescue. To clarify, a male horse under the age of four is referred to as a colt, while a female horse under
By Pebbles
the age of four is a filly. In our circumstance, the colts have all been transformed into geldings under my direct supervision. Why so many colts? Well, it is because we have focused our rescue efforts on saving multiple pregnant mares who landed in dangerous situations. They would have perished if we
had not intervened. HERD also intercepted four mares, nursing newborn foals, who were in peril of being separated from one another. The offspring ratio of colts delivered by these mares surpassed the fillies two to one. When you tally up the young colts here, there are six: Avenue of The Stars, Midas, Jupiter,
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Domino, Clayton, and Sloan. The lineup of HERD fillies on the ranch includes yearling Mia, two-year-old Sonnet, and three-year-old Bambi. The colt power is real, with twice as many hooves on the ground for competitive rivalry and shenanigans. They truly are the boys of summer 2024. The mischievous colts require a lot more effort than the docile fillies. HERD volunteers Bill McClelland and Scott Homstead are in the boys’ pastures almost daily, repairing fence lines and automatic water tank fillers. Those naughty colts habitually tear up the electric rope wire that tops the fences. They also delight in disconnecting the hoses that ensure their water tanks are refilled on demand. My mistress, Heather Freeman, makes frequent trips to town to buy new fence toppers for restringing the electrical
rope that supposedly keeps the horses away from the fences.
The young boisterous lads gallop around their pastures in dueling competition with one another. Their nostrils flaring, the colts delightfully kick their heels high in the air before their morning feedings. They rear in dramatic play fights, sparring for dominance of their pasture. Expending this energy leads to healthy appetites. Then they settle down and take long naps side-by-side in the midday sun. What a glorious life for a young colt growing up in HERD.
By contrast, the fillies are a much quieter group. They are dainty and polite with each other for the most part. They may indulge in an occasional gallop lap or two around the field together when the urge strikes them. However, for the most part, the girls graze and socialize.
Ruby with her newborn foal Zippy.
Zippy with Emily Holden at Shingle Hollow Farm.
When they interact, they groom one another gently. The comparison of colts versus fillies recalls a nursery rhyme from the 19th century.
“What are little boys made of? Snips, snails. And puppydogs’ tails. That’s what little boys are made of. What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice. And everything nice. That’s what little girls are made of.”
Another foal has recently entered the HERD fold. The highly anticipated Zippy has arrived. This brings the tally up to a total of seven colts. However, Zippy is living at Shingle Hollow Farm in Rutherfordton, NC. His mother, Ruby, was one of the pregnant rescue mares we saved last winter at the kill pen’s final call before she loaded to ship to Mexico. Ruby, a six-year-old Haflinger cross mare, is gentle, affectionate, and well-trained. How she ended
up destined for slaughter is a mystery to us. Ruby held on to Zippy for 12 months in her expanded womb. She was as wide as she was tall in the final month of carrying her foal. The average gestation length in the mare ranges from 320 to 362 days; most mares will foal within 330 to 345 days of breeding. However, mares have successfully foaled with gestation lengths outside this range. Our vet informed us that he had seen a few mares carry their foals for 365 days and there was no cause for alarm.
When Zippy finally made his grand entrance, his guardian, Kailey Greene, was at a horseshow competing on HERD horse, Maritime. Her sister Emily Holden was also at the event, performing dressage tests with HERD horse, Godiva. It was Kailey’s mother who discovered Zippy in the pasture with Ruby. He had a
Young Avenue of The Stars in HERD.
most unusual midday birth. Most foals are born late at night or early morning when life on the farm is still and quiet. Mares prefer privacy at foaling time. If possible, mares will delay birth until human observers are not around. One study indicated that approximately 80 percent of foals are born between midnight and 6 a.m.
Zippy is a large healthy bay colt who is exceedingly sweet towards humans. Soon he and his mother will move to foster care at a lovely farm owned by Kathleen Foster. Kathleen has adopted two HERD horses and fostered two young mares for us. Once Zippy can be weaned from his mother, at the age of six months, Ruby will return to a riding career to find a safe home. Zippy will relocate to our ranch to join others his age, including Deco’s awaited foal.
Jupiter born in HERD at Shingle Hollow Farm.
We wait patiently for the pregnant senior pinto mare, Deco, to deliver her new foal. She appears to be holding on for a 365-day gestation period as well. We weaned her son Domino in the late spring. He merrily frolics with Jupiter in a pasture adjacent to his mother. Deco keeps an eye on him, but soon she will devote her attention to her newly born offspring.
Will it be a filly or a colt? Only time will tell; the baby will most likely be born while we sleep soundly. I am betting Deco’s foal will be a colt based on the odds we have experienced lately in HERD.
One thing is for certain. The new young life who joins us will enjoy the gifts of time and loving care, to grow up here in safety. Feel free to ask our playful boys of summer, who call this ranch home.
Yearling Mia sporting a hat.
GIVE YOUR GRILLING GAME A FLAVOR BOOST QUICK BITES
3 TIPS TO MAKE SUMMER MEALS DELICIOUSLY MEMORABLE
PEPPERY BEEF KEBABS
Cook time: 5-7 minutes
INGREDIENTS
•1 pound sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
•2 tablespoons Watkins 1868 Organic Grilling Steak
Seasoning or Watkins 1868 Organic Grilling Salt Free Steak Seasoning
•1 teaspoon Watkins Organic Ground Black Pepper
•bell peppers, cut into chunks (optional)
•onions, cut into chunks (optional)
•mushrooms, cut into chunks (optional)
•cooked couscous or rice
DIRECTIONS
•Sprinkle sirloin with steak seasoning and black pepper.
•Thread beef onto skewers along with bell peppers, onions and mushrooms, as desired.
•Heat grill to medium-high heat.
•Grill, turning occasionally, until meat is cooked to desired doneness, 5-7 minutes.
•Serve atop cooked couscous or rice.
Make sure your grill game is on fire this summer. The right prepping, seasoning and grilling techniques can help you serve your favorite foods in the tastiest ways all summer.
Consider these helpful tips from the flavor experts at Watkins.
SEASONING WITH STAYING POWER
The first step for impressive flavor is proper preparation. For dry seasoning, blot meat or sliced vegetables (such as zucchini) with paper towels to dry. Then rub 1-2 teaspoons of vegetable oil over each piece to help your seasoning or dry rub stick. For marinades, after mixing - but before adding the meat - reserve 2 tablespoons of marinade liquid to baste meat while on the grill. If you’re dicing meat (except for shrimp), do so before adding it to the marinade so each piece can soak in as much flavor as possible. Finally, no grilling menu would be complete without burgers. Adding a seasoning tailor-made for this all-American classic, like Watkins Organic Hamburger Seasoning, brings an unforgettable boost of flavor. You’ll want about 1 tablespoon of seasoning for each pound of ground meat - just be sure to mix in thoroughly before you make your patties to distribute the flavor evenly.
FLAVOR FOR ALL YOUR FAVORITES
While most people think
of meats for grilling season, there are so many ways to spice up all your favorite foods and beverages. For fajitas, you can use chili lime seasoning for the meat and put it on the rim of your lemonade or margaritas, too.
You can also switch it up and roast potatoes instead of fries to go with a well-seasoned burger. Try peppercorn Parmesan seasoning for a complementary flavor. If you’re looking for a finishing touch for steak, mushrooms make a perfect enhancement and you can use the same steak seasoning to prepare them.
A SHOWSTOPPING SIDE
Grilled corn makes a fresh, juicy side for summer meals. For tender kernels and a milder char flavor, leave the husks on, soak the corn in water for 20-30 minutes and grill over medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes. For more char and caramelized flavor, remove the husks and grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, turning frequently.
After grilling, remove the husks (if needed) and lightly coat the corn in butter before seasoning. Corn can work with a range of flavor profiles - get creative with Watkins Organic Mesquite, Chili Lime or Peppercorn Parmesan seasoning blends to make your most memorable corn yet.
Whatever you add to your menu, enjoy finding new summer staples.
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INGREDIENTS
•2 tablespoons Watkins 1868 Organic Grilling Chili Lime Seasoning
•2 teaspoons Watkins Organic Black Pepper
•2 teaspoons cooking oil of choice
•1/2 teaspoon Watkins Fine Himalayan Pink Salt
•8 pork loin chops (about 2 1/2 pounds)
•hot sauce (optional)
DIRECTIONS
•Combine chili lime seasoning, black pepper, cooking oil and pink salt.
•Spread mixture evenly over pork chops.
•Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
•Heat grill to medium heat.
•Grill pork chops 4-5 inches from heat source, turning frequently, until no longer pink when cut near bone.
•Serve with hot sauce, if desired.
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Saturday, September 21, 2024
TRAVIS LEDOYT: TRIBUTE TO THE KING
This is as close as you’ll get to seeing a concert by Elvis Presley in the early years.
Thursday, November 21, 2024
BALLETS WITH A TWIST – COCKTAIL HOUR: THE SHOW
A lively, visually stunning night-on-the-town experience. Watch as “Manhattan,” “Martini,” mocktail “Shirley Temple,” spring off the menu and onto the stage.
Friday, February 7, 2025
JOHN BROWN’S “LITTLE” BIG BAND FEATURING SHANA TUCKER
A 12-piece band featuring renowned vocalist Shana Tucker that has a BIG sound! This group packs a punch!
Friday, April 25, 2025
SONGS & STORIES WITH ROGER MCGUINN
Iconic singer-songwriter and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee as the leader and frontman of the legendary group, the Byrds.
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