Many of our communities look different now. Landmarks and homes are gone, and bridges and roads have washed out. As we drive from community to community, we seek ways to help. We know healing comes in many forms: helping hands, donations, compassion, and prayer. Healing is also within our clinic and hospital walls. We’re here to provide care to everyone in our community through our emergency department, walk-in clinics, family medicine, and mental health support.
AdventHealth is extending the healing ministry of Christ, healing the whole person — body, mind, and spirit.
AdventHealth.com/Polk
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 Publisher
ON THE COVER
Meet Tut and Giza!
Friendly felines join the HERD
(Story on page 39)
Story by Pebbles
FROM THE EDITOR
Cold weather, festive holiday decorations, and fun seasonal events have arrived in the Foothills, and I, for one, could not be more excited! This is a special time of yeara time to be close to loved ones, give of yourself to those less fortunate, and enjoy ageless traditions in the spirit of the season.
In this month’s edition, we learn about Saluda’s Hometown Christmas, an annual holiday event showcasing downtown Saluda’s community spirit. Area businesses began Hometown Christmas thirty years ago “to thank the community for supporting them throughout the year.” Today, it’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!
We also feature another unique holiday tradition with a story on the spectacular light display and Winterfest at Tryon International in Mill Spring. Now in its seventh year, the annual event brings folks from all over to experience the magic of the holidays.
Speaking of magic, we learn about the “Porta Magicae” from renowned artist Fernando Porras. His latest works, seen in the local gallery Mirror Ball, are visually stunning and an invitation into the depths of his journey through life as a global citizen.
You’ll find all of this and more in this month’s edition! We hope you enjoy what we’ve put together for you this month, and as I do each month, I encourage readers to reach out and help us share your story. Email me at jeff.allison@tryondailybulletin.com with any thoughts or ideas for upcoming issues. As always, thanks for reading!
From our family to yours, Happy Holidays!
Jeff Allison Editor
Publisher and General Manager
Jeff Allison
Graphic Design
Manisha Ram
Marketing
Lynn Cromer
MJ Parsons
Distribution
Jamie Lewis
Alex Greene
Administration
Stacey Tully
FOOTHILLS life IN OUR STAFF
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.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Christmas Market at Tryon International Equestrian Center
Through Dec. 1, 11am - 5pm 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring Tryon.com
All Members Exhibit: Dare to Dream
Through Dec. 22
Tryon Painters and Sculptors 78 N. Trade St., Tryon Tryonpaintersandsculptors.com
Dale McEntire: Reflections Along the Path
Through Dec. 20
Weds. - Sun. 12-5pm
49 S. Trade St., Tryon Upstairs Artspace.org
2nd Annual Holiday Tree Walk at Mountain Brook Vineyards
Tryon Midnight Dec. 31, 7-10:30pm N. Trade St. at the Clocktower Downtown Tryon
New Year’s Eve Gala Dec. 31, 7-11:30pm The Orchard Inn/ Newman’s Restaurant Reservations Required Orchardinn.com
13TH ANNUAL TRYON BEER FEST
Photos by Mark Levin
Cameron, Kelly, Jacki, and Raymond
Our local brewery, Iron Key Brewing, is proud to be representing Polk County.
Sal, Angel, and Deborah
Shirlee and Lonnie have attended multiple Tryon Beer Fests.
Peter Eisenbrown of Saluda shows off his volunteer t-shirt.
Chris and Keigan
John from Landrum is loving his first Tryon Beer Fest.
Marty, Gail, and Bruce…and Bruce has been to all 13 Tryon Beer Fests.
Brian, Matt, Michelle, Juanita, and George are up from Greenville for their first ever Tryon Beer Fest.
Patrick and Maria
Mark and Kim
Don, Greg, Barbara, and Gwen are here for their first time from Lake Lure.
Jim Tebby is holding a liter stein of “beer” in a contest to see just how long he could make it before tiring out. As of this moment, he was leading all contenders with 5 minutes, 37 seconds.
Becki, Joe, and Daniel
Gina Macaluso, Vic Cegielski, and Lori Geddings work as volunteers checking in other volunteers.
Andrew, Jude, and Ray represent Valhalla Cakes & Café – Tryon’s newest bakery and coffeeshop. The bakery had homemade soft pretzels for sale.
Jaime and Amie made the trip from Greenville.
Tim Daniels (Town of Tryon), Lourdes Gutierrez (Tryon Downtown Development Association), and Jamie Carpenter (Asheville Ale Trail) were on-hand to see another successful Tryon Beer Fest get underway.
Maria and Tony from Grayson, GA were here for their first time.
Lani from Columbus shows off her hat with 13 on top in honor of the Tryon Beer Fest’s 13th season.
Sister-Brother Duo of Kayla and Caleb McKinney from Asheville provided the first set of music.
Ralf and Gwyn were decked out in traditional German dress for the occasion. Ralf is from the Bavaria region of Germany and works at BMW in Greenville. He had just returned from Oktoberfest in Munich and felt right at home in Tryon.
Ian Harper and “The” Pete Viehman. Pete is one of the founders of the Tryon Beer Fest.
Artist Amy Williams from Asheville was offering face painting, and in the case of Susan Searle, an arm painting.
A Holiday Tradition
Saluda’s Annual Hometown Christmas
Few seasons in life, at least in my opinion, are more enjoyable than the Christmas season.
In the words of singer Andy Williams, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” after all. From seeing the cheerful faces of loved ones as they
admire Christmas lights to drinking hot chocolate by a crackling fire to attending a candlelight church service to celebrate the reason for the season, there is something so intrinsically significant about Christmas. It is a time of joy, peace, togetherness, and love unmatched by any
other time during the twelve months of the year.
The Saluda Business Association, or SBA, has understood the value of Christmas since the association was founded, which is why it has proudly put on the Saluda Hometown Christmas stroll
Story by Emily Williams
Photos by Emily Williams and courtesy of the Saluda Business Association
each December for over thirty years. Some of the leading members of the SBA share why Hometown Christmas was created and what makes it so special to the Saluda community to this day.
The businesses of downtown Saluda began the Hometown Christmas thirty years ago “as a way to thank the community for supporting them throughout the year,” shares Emily Lamar, Saluda business owner and VP of marketing for the SBA. The event is entirely business-led, with each business having the autonomy to choose what music and decorations they use that evening, as well as what types of refreshments they would like to share with the Christmas strollers.
Businesses serve a variety of snacks and drinks, such as chips and dip, freshly baked cookies, popcorn, hot cider, and even churros with Mexican hot chocolate. Every business in Saluda participates, from Green River BBQ all the way down to the Saluda Outfitters at the other end of the main street, keeping their doors open from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Friday of December and welcoming in their community.
Aside from the shops being open late, other fun events will take place during the evening. Mountain Song will be caroling up and down Main Street, and Santa will make a visit to listen to the Christmas wishes of local children. Fire pits will be located outside of the Jim Carson Studio & Gallery and at Looking Glass Realty for people to warm up by and chat. The SBA will also put up a nativity scene in the park for visitors to admire, and First Baptist Church of Saluda will host an
Grinch sighting on the Christmas stroll
ecumenical service immediately after the festivities on Main Street end at 8 p.m.
The nature and set-up of the event make it a very welcoming area for the evening strollers.
“The city has put a lot of work into renovating our sidewalk on Main Street, and so now it’s wider and very walkable,” states Paul Marion, city commissioner of Saluda. “It looks nice and makes a really great place for people to visit and sit out and talk. A lot of businesses will serve hot chocolate and hot cider, so people are able to sit outside and drink it and talk with their friends. We don’t close the main street down, so that’s important, too. There’s still traffic on the street, so everything is centered on the sidewalk and in the businesses.”
Each year is different, so in many ways, each Hometown Christmas holds new surprises. Over the years, locals and visitors have been delighted with an anonymous Grinch sighting, a trio of Santas, and bonfires with s’mores in the park. Even the weather each year is a fun gamble, with some Hometown Christmases warm enough for t-shirts and others cold enough to bundle up in fluffy coats and thick scarves.
The Christmas tree on the stage in the park is also different each year as students at the local school make ornaments and decorate the tree before break. Both Lamar and Marion grew up in Saluda, and they remember that same tradition of taking class periods to make ornaments, pinecone decorations for the town, and paper lanterns to line the sidewalk. Now, they get to share those memories with their own children and grandchildren who now participate in making the town
Mountain Song carolers on Main Street
decorations.
No matter what changes from year to year, one thing remains the same: Hometown Christmas is the perfect time to catch up with old friends and neighbors.
“It really is a big gettogether,” states Lamar. “Everywhere you go, there’s a little conversation going on.”
Marion concurs that locals cannot help but run into familiar faces, sharing, “My wife is a teacher at the local school, and every year, we never make it through the stroll together because she’s always running into kids she taught.”
This event is likewise a great time to make new friends for those coming into Saluda to visit. I can personally attest to this,
Me (first student on the left) playing at the Saluda Library with my violin quartet_
as a non-Saluda native who has made it a point to regularly attend the Hometown Christmas because of the inviting and kind-hearted nature of the people in this little town. I have my own memories of walking down the sidewalk and admiring the Christmas lights, eating snacks and chatting with friendly business owners, and even performing Christmas carols in the Saluda Library with my violin quartet.
Regular vacationers who have second homes in Saluda also make a point to visit during this special weekend, which is a treat for locals like city commissioner Melanie Talbot. “The summer can be busy, so we don’t talk amongst each other as much,” Talbot states. “Hometown Christmas is the last time before summer that people with second homes here come up, do some Christmas shopping, and close their homes for the winter. We get to see people we have not seen since the summer.”
People want to attend, whether they are a visitor to the area or a long-time resident, because Hometown Christmas is an event worth attending. Everyone who has been to one undoubtedly has fond memories tied to this annual evening, and those memories call to people no matter how close to or far from home they may be.
This year, the call for an enjoyable evening by way of Hometown Christmas is even greater due to the impact of Hurricane Helene on the Foothills and the surrounding regions.
SBA member Stephanie Winterrowd says, “There’s a lot
Santa making the Christmas stroll_
Nativity scene in the park
of hurt right now in WNC, and I think Hometown Christmas is one of the ways to try to soothe that pain.” This Christmas season is a time when the community can support each other and point to the hope that accompanies this time of year.
“We’ve just been through this horrible thing, but this community always comes together,” says Lamar. “It’s just one of those times where we come together and we do something great, and it’s everybody. It’s not one single person putting it on, and that’s why it’s always changing. But it’s all about our business community and our larger community coming together and enjoying the holidays.”
Hometown Christmas is also a way to support local business owners as they work to financially recover from the aftermath of the storm. Many businesses had to close for weeks, so having extra hours and foot traffic during the Christmas stroll allows them to gain back some income they lost due to Helene.
Saluda is a community that comes together to support one another through times of flourishing and through times of hardship. This Christmas season is the perfect time for the community to have a Christmas stroll, support local business, say hello to neighbors, and celebrate the beauty of life that still thrives even after tragedy.
If you would like to participate in the Saluda Hometown Christmas stroll, stop by downtown Saluda anytime between 6 and 8 p.m. on Friday, December 13.
The Grinch at Winterfest
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
The Holiday Spirit at TIEC’s Winterfest
Story By Clay Johnson, photos by Clay Johnson and courtesy of TIEC
In December 2023, Tryon resident Patricia Catalan and her husband William Turner were looking for a place to take their two-year-old daughter Anna to get into the holiday spirit. Patricia saw an ad for the Tryon International Equestrian Center’s Winterfest in this publication and decided to give it a try. They bought tickets for the drive-thru light show and decided a slightly rainy night would be a good time to take Anna and beat the crowds at what has become a very popular holiday event.
“She loved it. It was a good experience. We were able to go slow. It wasn’t as busy, so we were able to stop, and we didn’t feel rushed,” says Catalan, who tuned into the holiday music that accompanies the light show on the family’s car radio for Anna to hear. “She loved to see all the lights and the music was also pretty nice to be able to synchronize the music with the lights in our car. It felt very much like the holiday spirit.”
TIEC is a 1600-acre equestrian venue that held its first horse show in July 2014 and officially opened in June 2015. In addition to venues for horse
competitions, TIEC includes office and retail space restaurants and lodging.
“The leadership team of Tryon International felt it was essential to add a special holiday component to the annual programming in addition to the equestrian sport competitions,” says Lynn Penny, TIEC’s Director of Business Development. “In 2018, Tryon aligned with the Shadrack’s Christmas Drive-through Light Show team to bring it to our venue. It has been a highly anticipated, beloved, and successful event ever since.”
Penny says the installation of the light show is a very intricate process that takes about six weeks. The theme and design plan are created by Shadrack’s production team in Tennessee and is sent to TIEC in October, at which point TIEC employees begin installing the lights so the show is ready to open by Thanksgiving. The show is made up of hundreds of thousands of lights that are choreographed to holiday music that is synced to a radio station you can tune to in your car. The theme of this year’s light show is “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
TIEC holiday light show
A few years after starting the drive-thru light show, TIEC added “Winterfest Village.” This year, visitors can visit Mrs. Claus for cookies and cocoa, have fun in Santa’s Bounce Houses, and visit the new Reindeer Training Academy and Petting Zoo. Throughout the village, they can see famous Christmas characters, listen to live music, make their own smores, take carousel rides, and, of course, present their Christmas wish list to Santa himself.
“We love to go to the equestrian center that time of the year,” says Catalan. “They have the merry-go-round outside the Breakfast with Santa, vendors, holiday music going all over the place.”
Catalan took Anna to “Breakfast with Santa,” which is held at The Ridge on the third floor of the International Pavillion from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It features a kid-friendly buffet as well as adult favorites, and of course, Santa himself is there to visit with children like Anna.
“She loved being able to sit with Santa, and Santa would come to each table and say hi to the kids,” says Catalan. “That was very fun too. That was probably my favorite.”
Winterfest also features ice skating at the Bobcat Ice Skating Rink for ages four and up. Skating tickets range from $15-$18 for one hour of skating time with skates included. Winterfest Village also includes the
Anna Turner watches light show from inside car
Ice skating at TIEC’s Winterfest
AnnaTurnerwatcheslight show from inside car
Anna Turner watches light show from inside car
Anna Turner at Winterfest Village
Anna Turner at Break- fast with Santa
Christmas Market which offers a chance to get some of your holiday shopping done and get a bite to eat at one of TIEC’s restaurants.
This year Winterfest Village is hosting “WNC Main Street” which is a collection of businesses that were severely impacted by Tropical Storm Helene, including ones from Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Hendersonville and Asheville. It’s chance to shop those businesses and show your support for them and their employees.
Winterfest Village is open from 5-10 p.m. and the light show runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Both start on November 29 and run through New Year’s Day. Tickets to Winterfest Village are $18 and the light show is $35 per carload.
“It was a very nice show. I think it was worth the money we paid,” says Catalan.
One dollar from every car going through the light show is donated to Safelight, a WNC non-profit providing support for survivors of interpersonal violence, sexual assault and child abuse. The effort is a partnership between Stuller Power Solutions and Tryon Cares, a program TIEC created to support local and regional non-profits through the holiday season.
“We are grateful to be able to support our community in such a meaningful way,” says Penny.
That is the spirit of the season, after all.
If you are a resident of Polk County or Rutherford County, your tuition could be free with the Powers Promise!
TIEC’s Winterfest Village
Art : and Emotion:
The Transformative Journey of Fernando Porras
Story by Storme Smith, images courtesy of Robert Mangum and Fernando Porras
Art has an incredible power to transform emotions and experiences, and few understand this better than renowned artist Fernando Porras. His latest works, which can be seen in the local gallery Mirror Ball, are not just visually stunning but an invitation into the depths of his journey through life as a global citizen. Not surprisingly, his journey has led him into storytelling, with a new illustrated novel that begins in a town similar to Tryon. Porras was born in Maturín, Venezuela, and was often introduced by his father, a local doctor, as “that boy who paints and draws all day long.” He began studying Architecture at the University of Florida in the early 80s,
but the Venezuelan financial crisis in 1984 led him to return to Venezuela, where he formed a significant bond with the Guarauno people and other indigenous groups of the Orinoco and Amazon river basins. He eventually took his art skills to advertising and was art director for the advertising agencies Young & Rubicam and Ogilvy & Mather.
However, a transformative experience with a group of Indigenous children who had never seen a pencil inspired him to document their culture through art, turning his drawings into oil paintings that raised awareness of their plight. After earning a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from
“I design the classes on location—oil and watercolor reflections from Venice, colored pencil animals from Mindo, urban sketching from Istanbul, iPhone photography from Wellington—using samples that are many times just outside my window,” said Porras
Piacoa Sunrise, at collector’s home in Florida
Radford University, studying under watercolor master Z.L. Feng, he taught art at Concord University in West Virginia, where he prepared his first exhibit.
His major solo show, “Children of the Rainforest,” at Noel Gallery in Charlotte in 1999, featured his “Hidden Series.” Seventeen of eighteen works sold in just forty minutes, and the last piece, a three-panel, seven by nine-foot oil on canvas, was purchased the following morning. Now, he has evolved into a storyteller, author, illustrator and some may say tour guide with a new children’s book, Porta Magicae.
The Magic Behind Porta Magicae
Two creative forces have united to embark on an extraordinary adventure that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. Porras and Allie Snyder, Program Coordinator at Polk County Public Libraries, have joined hands to craft a captivating children’s book series, Porta Magicae. Since their move to Tryon in 2022, this duo has been busy developing this project to bridge cultural divides and inspire young minds.
The genesis of Porta Magicae is shrouded in an inspiring tale. Fernando and Allie discovered a tattered journal in an antique shop that sparked a quest for a magical door— “Porta Magicae.” This serendipitous find propelled them on a global journey, exploring the stories and cultures of the world, akin to a modern-day treasure hunt filled with creativity and imagination.
“Once upon a time, a writer and a painter teamed up on a quest to find a magic door,” they recount, embracing lore that entwines adventure with artistic expression. At the
heart of Porta Magicae lies a powerful vision: to illustrate adventure stories that encourage children to appreciate cultural diversity.
“Growing up, my education was rich with friends from all over the world,” Fernando reflects. “Now, in a world increasingly divided, our stories aim to reveal that the more we learn about one another, the richer our lives become.”
Each book in the series is designed to transport young readers through a magic door, introducing them to unique cultures and shared experiences across time and space.
The ambitious project is not just about storytelling—it is a methodical embrace of narratives that span every corner of the globe. Fernando and Allie aspire to create educational yet entertaining tales where learning becomes a delightful journey. For instance, their upcoming book about Rome is crafted not just for children but can serve as a resource in art history classes.
The narrative of Porta Magicae is a mosaic of tales collected during their travels. “I am a collector of memories,” Fernando says, emphasizing how each encounter shapes their stories—from a coffee grower in Colombia reminiscing about childhood games to children in Brazil improvising art under a cardboard shelter during a rain shower. This collective authorship fosters a deep connection to the places they visit and their inhabitants.
“Our support team includes a diverse group of creatives from around the world,” Allie adds, highlighting their collaborative process. Ideas can sprout in Mexico City, be developed in Tryon, illustrated in Pune, and shared worldwide, all in real time. It’s a unique approach that
Porras’ first solo exhibit in NY
Saint Angelo Bridge at Sunset, St. Peter’s Basilica’s Dome in the background. Rome, Italy. Light study - Watercolor on paper
Sunrise over the Bosphorus, Istanbul, Turkey - Watercolor on paper
In the upcoming book series, Porta Magicae, a magic door opens for children from countries around the world to travel through time and space, introducing them to other cultures and to the idea that we are all more alike than we might believe.
speaks to a globalized world where creativity knows no bounds.
The Porta Magicae Project thrives on immersive research, often visiting locations tied to their stories. “We engage with locals, take thousands of photographs, and paint watercolors to truly capture the essence of each place,” Fernando explains. This hands-on approach enriches their storytelling and ensures authenticity that both children and collectors can appreciate. They have also established a sustainable model to fund their artistic endeavors without burdening their investors. “Interactive Zoom workshops and exhibitions help cover travel costs, allowing us to focus our resources on making the books,” they explain. This model allows collectors to engage with the project while supporting its heart and soul. As they look ahead, Fernando and Allie are ready to embrace the evolving literature landscape.
“The book industry is on the cusp of significant change,” Fernando reveals, hinting at the introduction of technology that extends beyond enhanced eBooks. The Porta Magicae team, comprising animators and app developers, is eager to be at the forefront of this revolution while remaining true to the core storytelling that connects cultures.
The duo is excited to launch a Porta Magicae website, social media pages and crowdfunding page soon, inviting the public to join them. With seven stories in production, they aim to share the magic of storytelling and the adventures that inspire them. As they invite community engagement, they remind everyone that the elusive magic door may be closer than we think. “Have you checked your attic lately?” Fernando quips.
Porras’ first solo exhibit in NY
A catalog created for a Collector’s Art Series is accompanied by drawings, paintings, photographs, and objects from around the world Useful info for caption.
Accessory Versus Necessity
By Pebbles
It was a few weeks before Christmas, and here on the farm, The grain room was being invaded, but there was no sound or alarm. Miss Kitty and Mr. Gray were settled in for their evening of rest, And detected no activity as the rats were stealthily doing their new best.
Feed bags on pallets were stacked neatly five feet tall, Escape was easy, the villains left with mouths full, climbing the wall. To the top loft they went, feet clambering for quick traction, The old cats were not roused, dreaming of Fancy Feast, they took no action.
When the barn lights illuminated the feed room, the damage was clear, The rodents had bested our night guardians, they had no apparent fear. We needed a plan yet at our stable, rat traps and poison are taboo, With so many unwanted vermin, we needed a younger cat, maybe two.
To the local animal shelter, we went to find our new patrol partners here, We adopted two youngsters, Tut and Giza, who are agile, fearless, and dear. Will they be good hunters, only time and practice games will tell, But we all are smitten with their playful antics, things are going well.
Nothing disrupts a good night’s rest in the barn like an invasion of vermin. How can I get my beauty sleep with those nasty creatures dining freely on my upcoming meal? It simply gives me nightmares. This is a troubling problem.
Ask any horse owner who pays around $30 per bag for quality horse feed. Poison is not a good solution. It can kill unintended wildlife and domestic pets that ingest the bait or a poisoned mouse. We have owls, hawks, and eagles present, but they were not eliminating these pests, and a rodent-free barn is clearly a necessity.
Five years ago, when we moved to this new ranch to expand our equine rescue operation for Helping Equines Regain Dignity (HERD), two cats were conveyed with the property,
Miss Kitty and Mr. Gray. Both were from the local animal shelter. They took vigilant care to ensure we had no rodents living in our barn on their watch. Peace reigned at night. The only winter visitors in the stable were a few doves who roosted in the loft to be out of the elements.
However, this year, the established cats are showing their age. Most of the time, they are asleep. They cannot contend with this influx of field rats who have moved in to disrupt our lives.
Here is my accessory list of what every swell barn needs: a pest-free feed storage room, a temperature-controlled tack room housing welloiled saddles and bridles, a grooming area, and comfortable, well-ventilated stalls. Oh, and let’s add lots of clean bedding for those of us who would never
Volunteer Bill McClelland with Miss Kitty
Tut and Giza on the barn sofa, loving their new abode.
dream of sleeping out in the pastures at night. You never know what could be lurking out there in the woods or up in the trees.
How to address this rat problem was top of mind. Step one was to purchase the old-fashioned Victor wooden rat traps. Well, the only thing that suffered from being snapped in those were a few human fingers. Step two was to
order highly rated Tomcat Rat Snap Traps. Even with peanut butter, sugar, and cornbread bait, there were no takers for these traps either. I tell you; these rats are very intelligent. My mistress Heather Freeman jokes they must be Harvard-educated
rodents in our barn.
So, what to do next when none of the internet forums on getting rid of rats proved to be helpful? The answer was clear to me. Go to the local animal shelter and adopt a few cats who need a home. Our barn cats have comfortable bedding for sleeping, and a
room of their own to be out of the elements with a cat door. They are well-fed as we are not asking them to eat the filthy rodents. I say, “Please dear cats, just scare the dirty little vermin away. I need my rest. Scampering rats at night are very disruptive.”
Step three was a trip to the local animal shelter. Heather and her husband Scott Homstead went with two cat carriers in hand. I was not allowed in as the Spokepony of
Tut with his new toy, arrival day from the shelter.
Start your next
HERD. No equines can enter the visitors’ area. I left the task of choosing the right cats to protect our feed stash up to Heather. She asked the shelter staff if there happened to be two black cats available, as these are said to be the least adopted.
However, this was not the case that day. Instead, the cats most in need of a home were seven-month-old kittens, a brother, and a sister, who were surrendered to the shelter in June 2024. No one had expressed interest in them. They were housed in a cage out of sight of visitors. Heather and Scott waited patiently in a hallway for these two to be brought up to meet them. Both cats were shy but had very striking coats. “We will adopt these today,” said Heather. She went to the office to pay the fee and sign the papers.
The kittens were given the names Tut and Giza. They look rather exotic, like something drawn on the walls of an Egyptian tomb. They have slim bodies, slightly elongated ears, and regal heads. Once home, Heather posted photos of the new arrivals on Facebook. A friend, Andrew Evans, immediately commented that these cats were a lesserknown breed called Ocicat. He owned an Ocicat and said what first appears to be stripes on their sides are in fact spots, like an ocelot, and their bellies should be tan with black round spots. And this is exactly how Tut and Giza are marked. Unknowingly, Heather and Scott brought home two fancy-bred cats.
What a surprise, they are just like me, a treasured find! How amusing that our new barn cats introduced out of necessity are truly a wonderful, new and rare accessory.
A resident eagle that hunts across our area for fish and small mammals.
Tut with an electronic mouse toy, preparing for his new career.
Giza at the feed storage room cat door.
QUICK BITES
Holiday hosts recognize it’s not always so easy to feed a crowd. That pressure may be even more notable come the holiday season, when food is such an integral component of gatherings with family and friends. It may be impossible to please everyone all of the time, but few can resist a hearty comfort food like baked ziti. That makes the dish an ideal option for holiday hosts tasked with feeding a crowd. This holiday season, hosts welcoming loved ones into their homes can consider this easily prepared recipe for Baked Ziti with Chicken and Cheese.
Baked Ziti With Chicken and Cheese
Makes 4 to 6 servings
16 ounces dry ziti pasta
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 pound ground chicken
8 cups spaghetti sauce
Butter, for pan
3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt, to taste
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain well.
2. In a large skillet, brown chopped onion and ground chicken over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with butter. Drizzle sauce in the bottom
of the baking dish and arrange the ziti on top. Ladle remaining sauce over the ziti. Top with mozzarella cheese. Gently toss to completely coat the ziti with sauce and cheese. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
4. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the pasta is heat ed through.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 55 minute
This holiday season, hosts welcoming loved ones into their homes can consider this easily prepared recipe for ÒBaked Ziti with Chicken and Cheese.”
SET THE TONE FOR A HOLIDAY PARTY WITH THIS BELOVED SEASONAL BEVERAGE
Holiday season celebrations have a reputation for being especially jovial. The spirit of the season undoubtedly has something to do with that, as people from all faiths and backgrounds tend to have an extra hop in their step and a slightly wider smile on their faces each December. Holiday hosts also do much to promote the festive spirit of the season. Hosts often go to great lengths to ensure
holiday guests enjoy their visits, and that even extends to the food and drinks they serve the people they welcome into their homes. Many celebrants would insist no holiday season get-together is complete without eggnog, a classic beverage thatÕs most popular in December. This holiday season, hosts can treat their guests to this recipe for Eggnog.
presents:
Eggnog Makes 2 Servings
2 ounces brandy or cognac
2 ounces dark rum, plus more for sugar rim
1 cup eggnog, prepared
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon light brown sugar
2 sticks cinnamon, for garnish (optional)
2 pods star anise, for garnish (optional) Shortbread or gingerbread cookies, for garnish (optional)
1. In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the brandy, rum and eggnog together, cover and shake.
2. Add the nutmeg, cinnamon and sugar to a small plate and stir around to combine. Wet the rims of 2 glasses with rum. Roll the rims of the glasses in the spices to coat.
3. Strain the eggnog mixture into the two glasses. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, star anise pods and festive short bread cookies, if desired.
This holiday season, hosts can treat their guests to this recipe for Eggnog
Few foods garner the types of responses generated by the mere mention of fruitcake, which drives many holiday celebrants to run for the hills. But fruitcake may not deserve its reputation, particularly when individuals brave enough to prepare it serve it covered in a sugary glaze. Such is the case with this recipe for Gluten-Free Fruitcake With Sugar Glaze
Gluten-Free Fruitcake With Sugar Glaze
For the cake:
4 ounces golden raisins
2 ounces chopped candied orange peel
8 ounces candied cherries, quartered
6 ounces raisins
3 1/2 tablespoons sherry
4 ounces butter
1 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
1 pinch grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup self-raising gluten-free flour
6 ounces chopped almonds, blanched
For the icing:
1 cup confectionerÕs sugar
3 tablespoons water
1. For the cake: Place all the fruit in a bowl
with the sherry, stir well, cover and leave to stand overnight.
2. Heat the oven to 325 F. Grease a loaf pan and line the base with parchment paper.
3. Beat the butter with the sugar, salt and spic es in a mixing bowl until light and creamy, then gradually beat in the eggs.
4. Gently fold in the flour, followed by the soaked fruits and almonds, stirring well.
5. Spoon into the pan and bake for 2 to 21Ú4 hours until cooked through. Leave to cool in the pan.
6. For the icing: Mix the sugar with a little water, adding a little at a time, until it is thick and smooth.
7. Spread the icing on top of the cake, allow ing it to run down the sides. Leave to set.
Preparation & Cooking time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Resting time: 12 hours
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