FOOTHILLS life
Dale Chihuly, Mille Fiori, 2023 © Chihuly Studio
Jeff Allison General Manager
ON THE COVER
July is here, bringing with it summertime traditions, patriotic celebrations, cookouts, and community fun!
Our area is blessed with an abundance of community spirit. The features in our July edition of Life in Our Foothills honor that spirit, and we are thrilled to share them with you!
First, we meet with Columbus Town Manager Tim Barth and his staff to learn about the Fabulous Fourth of July Celebration in Columbus. Now enjoying its 61st year, this beloved event offers incredible live music, delicious food, vendors, and, of course, a dazzling fireworks display! Locals and visitors alike have long enjoyed this yearly festival, and this year will prove to be one of the best yet.
We’ll also hear about the CooperRiis Healing Community and co-founder Lisbeth Cooper. Founded in 2003, CooperRiis is a place with purpose, born of Lisbeth’s personal experience caring for a loved one
FOOTHILLS
We also visit the Saluda Historic Depot and Museum, where history comes alive. Here, train enthusiasts and history lovers from across the region can revisit a time when the railroad brought passengers and cargo through Saluda. And, of course, we’ll catch up with our resident “spokespony,” Pebbles, as she fills us in on the latest from the HERD ranch!
In our July issue, you’ll find a wealth of stories and ideas that reflect the vibrancy of our community. 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 24)
Story by Storme Smith
General Manager
Jeff Allison
FOOTHILLS life IN OUR STAFF
Graphic Design
Caitlin Schlemmer
Marketing
MJ Parsons
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
Art Show: Mary Lou Diekmann
Through July 17
Polk County Public LibrarySaluda Branch
44 W. Main St., Saluda 828-722-5218
Bayard Wooten Photography Exhibition Through July 19
Tryon Arts & Crafts School
373 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon TryonArtsAndCrafts.org
All Members Exhibit: Summer Song
Through August 3
Tryon Painters & Sculptors
78 N. Trade St., Tryon TryonPaintersAndSculptors.com
Analogues: North & South Photographs by Tema Stauffer Through August 30
Upstairs Artspace
49 S. Trade St., Tryon UpstairsArtspace.org
Yoga @ Your Library
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
6-7:15pm Landrum Library 111 Asbury Dr., Landrum
Storytime at Saluda Library
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 10:30-11:30am
Polk County Public LibrarySaluda Branch
44 W. Main St., Saluda 828-722-5218
Gems: The World’s Wisdom Stories
July 3, 2pm
Saluda Elementary School Auditorium
214 E. Main St., Saluda PolkLibrary.org
JULY
12
Top of the Grade Concert Series: Bob Sinclair and The Big Deals
July 12, 7-9pm Ella Grace Mintz Stage McCreery Park 64 Greenville St., Saluda
JULY
5
Summer Tracks Concert Series: Hustle Souls
7-8:30pm
Rogers Park
55 W. Howard St., Tryon
Fabulous 4th of July Bike Tour
July 4, 7:30am Harmon Field 864-415-5804
Saluda Tailgate Market
July 5, 12, 19, 26 4-6pm 214 E. Main St., Saluda
61st Annual Coon
Dog Day Festival & 5K
July 6, 8am-9pm Main Street, Downtown Saluda Saluda.com/coon-dog-day
Columbus Farmers Market
July 6, 13, 20, 27 8am-12pm Courthouse Square, Columbus
Landrum Farmers Market
July 6, 13, 20, 27 8am-12pm 221 W. Rutherford St., Landrum LandrumFarmersMarket.com
Saturday Night Lights
July 6, 13, 20 4-10pm
Tryon International Equestrian Center Resort.Tryon.com/snl
A Taste of the Market
July 6, 6-8pm
221 W. Rutherford St., Landrum Reservations: LandrumFarmersMarket.com
An Evening with Beatriz
Williams
July 11, 6-7:30pm Landrum Library 111 Asbury Dr., Landrum 864-457-2218
Play: “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.”
July 13 and 14, 2:30pm
Mountain Page Theater 1303 Mountain Page Rd., Saluda MountainPage.theater
Saluda Art Stroll
July 13, 4-6pm Main St., Saluda
Music at the Market:
Silver Travis
July 13, 7-9:30pm
Landrum Farmers Market 221 W. Rutherford St., Landrum
Landrum Library
Speaker Series: Flora of Glassy Mountain Heritage Preserve
July 16, 6-7:30pm
Landrum Library 111 Asbury Dr., Landrum ConservingCarolina.org
Professor Whizzpop’s Rumble in the Jungle
July 17, 2pm
Saluda Elementary School
214 E. Main St., Saluda PolkLibrary.org
Summer Tracks Concert Series:
Sweet Summer Rock ‘n
Soul Review with Peggy Ratusz & Reggie Headen
July 19, 7-8:30pm
Rogers Park
55 W. Howard St., Tryon
Americana Music in the Great Outdoors with Chris Wayne July 20, 9:30-10:30am
Landrum Library 111 Asbury Dr., Landrum
Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series: Owls –Masters of the Night July 20, 10:30am Anne Elizabeth Surratt Nature Center
179 Wood Thrush Lane, Mill Spring ConservingCarolina.org
Fourth Fridays in Tryon
July 26, 5-7pm Trade St., Downtown Tryon
Music at the Market:
Retro 78
July 27, 7-9:30pm
Landrum Farmers Market
221 W. Rutherford St., Landrum
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!
BRADLEY NATURE PRESERVE AT ALEXANDER’S FORD
One’s imagination can run rampant when you’re hiking in the woods by yourself. The first sign as I entered the preserve warned of recent bear activity in the area, and that was followed by finding some fresh animal tracks that looked like they belonged to a reasonably sized bear. When you’re the only one out on the trail, little noises bring up all kinds of possibilities. My imagination was running rampant. I didn’t see any bears, but I did spy a few dogs when I was at the end of my hike.
But better than worrying about what creatures I might encounter was realizing and appreciating that I was walking in the footsteps of history. Bradley Nature Preserve at Alexander’s Ford is a lightly used, beautiful, mature forest that is inviting for hikers, birders, and mini-explorers to enjoy some nature and solitude.
The wide trail that starts at a covered picnic shelter is thought to be the trail the Overmountain Men walked on their way to fight at Kings Mountain. The trail is relatively
flat as it makes its way to the Green River. Along the hike to the Green, there are areas with benches for resting and picnic tables to enjoy a snack. It’s about 1.3 miles to the Green River. The trail takes you to the “ford,” where rag-tag groups of area militia crossed on their way to fight a pivotal battle at Kings Mountain to chase down and defeat General Patrick Ferguson.
There are occasional trail markers, but the route is obvious. Once you get to the river, you can either reverse your route or take a single-track trail that parallels the wider trail and brings you back to the beginning. This narrower trail has most of the elevation climb, but there’s not a lot of climbing, no matter what. The entire roundtrip route has about 205 feet of elevation gain. There is a large interpretive sign at the beginning of the hike (near the picnic shelter) and a few older nature-oriented interpretive signs along the narrow trail. It’s approximately 2.6 miles roundtrip, no matter which route you take.
This is a wonderful hike, perfect for families with kids as well as adults who just aren’t up for a strenuous walk in the woods.
MORE TO KNOW
Bradley Nature Preserve at Alexander’s Ford is maintained by Polk Trails, part of Polk County Parks and Recreation. While the trail is just inside the Polk County line, the address is 202 Grays Chapel Road, Rutherfordton. You’ll turn right at the church and
find parking along the side of the road in the area of the picnic shelter. The trail begins right beyond the shelter. Dogs are welcome but must be on leash. Currently, there is no equestrian access.
https://www.nps.gov/ovvi/ learn/historyculture/alexander-s-ford.htm
Entrance sign.
Breann Harper and Nahla from Hendersonville were out for the hike.
The wide hiking trail goes all the way from the trailhead to the river. You can either backtrack on this same trail or return using a single-track trail located parallel to this one.
WHILE YOU’RE IN THE AREA
You’ll see Grays Chapel Church as you turn down to the Alexander’s Ford trailhead. The original church that was located here played an important role in the Revolutionary War. American militia forces camped by the church on their way to defeat General Ferguson at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Grays Chapel Church was founded in 1792. The President of the United States at that time was George Washington. The current church was built in the 1800s. Come by on a Sunday morning or a Wednesday evening and join a service in this historic church.
Grays Chapel Church.
The Green River might be your destination, but the whole hike should be considered the “adventure.”
Parking is located along the road at the picnic shelter.
Historical sign.
There are a few natural history interpretive stations along the trail.
A Star-Spangled Summer
Columbus’ Fabulous Fourth of July Celebration
The Fourth of July is a day to celebrate our independence as a nation and the beautiful freedom that comes with our autonomy. We remember our forefathers who fought to emancipate
us from colonial rule and who worked fervently to build a government system by and for the people of the United States of America. Because our freedom is something to celebrate, communities across
the country go all out on providing memorable events and activities to give this special day the credit it deserves. Neighborhoods hold block parties with tasty burgers and lawn games. Town halls host amusement
Story by Emily Williams, Photos courtesy of Columbus Town Hall
rides and concerts. And no matter where you go, you can always count on an extravagant fireworks show.
The Town of Columbus does not hold back on this holiday, hosting an annual Fabulous Fourth of July Celebration that attracts up to 8,000 people.
Columbus Town Manager Timothy Barth and Town Clerk Daisy Trejo share behind-the-scenes details of their town’s biggest event, their lineup of vendors and performers for their 61st annual celebration, and the reason why they do it year after year.
Columbus has hosted the Fabulous Fourth of July Celebration since 1963. “The idea was to provide a family-friendly festival for the townspeople,” says Barth in response to the reason behind its founding. “It has just grown over the years. A lot of people come from the
Opening ceremony commencing with the Polk County Honor Guard
surrounding areas. It’s not just for Columbus. It’s in Columbus, but people from all over South Carolina and North Carolina come here.”
To facilitate such a grand event each year, all town employees work tirelessly to ensure the entire day runs smoothly. Members of the town hall administration and the public works department help vendors set up as early as 6 a.m. and stay until midnight to clean up trash. The Columbus Police Department also manages traffic and parking throughout the day.
“We also have amazing volunteers, and without them, we wouldn’t be able to make it happen,” says Trejo. “There is a Fourth of July committee, and Ms. Lisa Krolak has been leading it for many years. She gathers people together to volunteer. Ms. Lisa deals a lot with the music and the stage, and
she promotes the festival anywhere she goes.”
Public promotion to attract vendors and sponsors has been an integral part of helping the celebration flourish, especially after complications caused by COVID. The pandemic led to certain vendors retiring, so Daisy worked to reach out to vendors at other festivals in the area, and she began to promote the Fabulous Fourth on Facebook. Daisy’s efforts to reach new vendors and continue to attract old ones have not been in vain.
“There are a lot more vendors this year than we have had in the past,” she shares, with the total number of vendors reaching sixty-six, all ranging from crafts to food to nonprofit organizations.
Some of the vendors at this year’s celebration include Paul Dale BBQ, GEO to Gems Jewelry, Timeless Elegance, Happy Lizard Boutique, and
Rows of vendors on Mills St
The Front Porch Churn.
The town has also been able to attract more of a variety of performers in recent years. “There’s quite a wide range of performers with different music,” Tim says. “It’s not all the same.”
This year’s lineup ranges from the folk music of Bobby Wynn to the blues of Patrick Ballard to the rock of Black Jack, so every attendee is sure to hear music they enjoy. None of this would be possible without the support
of the wonderful sponsors the Town of Columbus is so thankful for: The Red Bell Run Foundation, Nelon-Cole Termite and Pest Control, St. Luke’s Hospital, Dentistry 2000, Rosa Aguirre with Keller Williams, King Smoke and Vape, and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The support of these sponsors allows the town to provide this event year after year—a day of celebration and of fostering community connection.
According to Tim,
Rows of classic cars for the car show
Columbus_ annual fireworks show
Fireworks extravaganza to finish the night
“There’s quite a wide range of performers with different music. It’s not all the same.” This year’s lineup ranges from the folk music of Bobby Wynn to the blues of Patrick Ballard to the rock of Black Jack, so every attendee is sure to hear music they enjoy.
“The 4th is a way that the town can give back to the community and provide the community with something that brings everybody together. People come out to enjoy the music, the rides, the fireworks. It’s just a very family-friendly activity.”
Daisy even remembers
enjoying the family-friendly event when she was a child, and those memories of celebrating her nation’s independence with loved ones still bring her joy to this day.
Daisy is not alone in appreciating the Fabulous Fourth—Tim shares that
the event has been voted by the townspeople as the best event of the year on multiple occasions. “We’ve made a commitment to continue to do this every year,” he states. “When somebody comes, usually they enjoy it so much that they’ll come back in succeeding years.”
One of the greatest draws is the fireworks show that concludes the festivities. People will sit out on their porches, anticipating the annual fireworks display they know and love so much. Tim says the show is so big people can see it from Stearns Park all the way to
Snow cones to cool off after a hot day
the Tractor Supply store. In reference to those who come downtown just for the fireworks, Tim exclaims, “You should see the sea of vehicles parked out there! It’s quite impressive.”
As the Fabulous Fourth
continues to deliver a wonderful experience for the community and visitors each year, Daisy hopes to see the event continue to grow. Specifically, she hopes to attract more vendors and sponsors. Daisy is confident
that they can, especially with the progress they have made with obtaining vendors since the pandemic.
Aside from growth in terms of vendors and monetary support, Tim does not foresee any other growth,
nor does he think it is necessary. “We maximize the space we already have, but I think it is a very appropriate size,” Tim states. “This is a really good event that takes a great deal of staff time to put on, but they do a great job
Floyd Suave’s Car Show
with it.”
“We work very well together, all the staff and volunteers,” adds Daisy. “We make it happen that day somehow. It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of communication, but the team that we have is good.”
The Fourth of July is a beautiful day for every American to reflect on the freedom this country offers. It is also a wonderful opportunity for people to get outside and spend time getting to know their neighbors. For those living in Polk County or the surrounding areas, there is arguably no better place to celebrate than in the heart of
downtown Columbus.
Visit Columbus if you are looking to make plans this upcoming 4th. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and conclude with a fireworks show starting at 9:45 p.m.
Vendors will be set up on Mills Street, and Mr. Floyd Suavé’s car show can be found on East Mills Street from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Ticketed carnival rides and free lawn activities provided by Crossroads Baptist Church will be available in Stearns Park, and the stage for live performances will be located in front of the courthouse.
For more details, visit www.columbusnc.com.
Lawn games provided by Crossroads Baptist Church
Building a Place with Purpose Lisbeth Cooper
Story and
photography
by Storme Smith
In a conversation with Lisbeth Riis Cooper, the word purpose comes up more than almost any other. It’s a word heard often around the 94acre working farm in Mill Spring that makes up CooperRiis, a non-profit residential healing community for adults with mental health challenges. Lisbeth founded with her husband, Don Cooper, in 2003.
CooperRiis is a place with purpose, born of Lisbeth’s personal experience caring for a loved one.
“I spent ten years looking for mental health care for a family member,” Lisbeth says. “And it was just a circle of hospitals and group homes. After a decade, I did not see any progress because it was just
The greenhouses contain a wide variety of plants.
the same cycle over and over. With one exception, when they spent six months at a therapeutic farm. I started seeing a change. And I said there has got to be something to what they are doing. A few years later, we had another bad cycle, and I threw up my hands and told my
husband we needed to start a therapeutic farm.”
Originally from Denmark, Lisbeth, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and fashion industry veteran, had the idea. Still, she knew she needed her husband to make it a reality. And while Don,
who she gives all the credit for making the non-profit successful thanks to his business background, was reticent at first, he eventually came to see Lisbeth’s commitment to the idea, and the two began turning an old-horse farm off Hwy. 108 into the beautifully
manicured campus and working farm CooperRiis has become today. And while the Coopers did not know much about mental health when they started, they relied on their own experiences. Lisbeth knew what the purpose of the place should be from seeing what didn’t
Cards made by the residents in the art barn.
“Let’s build a place where people can truly heal,” Lisbeth says of the initial idea.“For starters, we will do person-centered care, where everyone has a recovery plan that works for them. So when a person comes in, we ask them what their dream is, what they hope to achieve while they’re here, and what their goals are. They then write down their goals, which becomes their recovery prescription. And the therapist, the nutritionist, and everybody in the community knows their goals, giving it a team approach, and every person has their team around them.”
The campus has various spaces showcasing teamwork, such as the wood shop, art barn, greenhouses, and gardens. Animals such as ducks, pigs, sheep, and even a few dogs and cats are taken care of in a team manner, The
art barn allows residents to express themselves.
A pool table for residents.
and CooperRiis earns its title as a working farm growing food used in the dining hall kitchen, which has adopted the Mediterranean diet. While Lisbeth credits CooperRiis’s success mainly to its staff, CEO Eric Levine, and her husband, her fingerprints are to be found throughout. She handpicked the chairs to make sure they rocked or moved because it was shown to be soothing. The carpets and colors throughout the buildings and lodges where residents stay all benefit from her background in fashion.
After leaving the farm, some residents move to housing owned or overseen by CooperRiis in the larger community, where they receive varied staff support and independence.
They also have a campus in Asheville, with Asheville Mayor Esther E. Manheimer recently announcing May 20,
A meeting room where the teams come together.
Shop • Donate • Volunteer
Every action helps to build this home.
2024, CooperRiis Mental Health Awareness Day. This proclamation coincided with Mental Health Awareness Month, promoting the city’s commitment to mental health advocacy.
Since its launch in 2003, CooperRiis has supported nearly 2,000 individuals. It is committed to personalized care with the help of a supportive community. Short- and long-term residential mental health programs provide a continuum of care for adults 18 years or above, of all backgrounds and identities, at different stages of the recovery journey.
emphasizing its commitment to helping individuals achieve a productive and fulfilling life. As North Carolina grapples with challenges in its mental health system, programs like CooperRiis offer a beacon of hope for those in need. Inspired by the model established at Gould Farm in Massachusetts in 1913, the Polk County center remains a rare gem, being the sole community of its kind in the Southeast and one of just a dozen nationwide.
No money down. 0% interest. And, your mortgage payments help build more affordable homes.
In a world where mental health treatment continues to evolve, CooperRiis stands out with its unique approach. The inclusion of a job program, frequent psychotherapy sessions, and a dedicated addictions counselor sets this center apart from other options,
Structure, nutrition, work, coping skills, and exercise are some of the tools those who come through CooperRiis leave with—a toolbox that will help them succeed in achieving their future goals that were set during their stay. Many who have witnessed the program call it the nation’s best treatment and recovery model.
One of the main reasons for this is Lisbeth’s own
Lisbeth Cooper looks over the chickens, ducks and geese.
experiences and the Coopers’ willingness to accept ideas from staff and residents. It is also clear that, as a mother and grandmother, she wants residents to be treated and cared for like they were members of her own family so that when they leave CooperRiis, they can accomplish their goals and fulfill their purpose.
“We’ve put a lot of emphasis since day one on family education. We do online sessions once a week or every other week with the family member, resident, and therapist talking together,” Lisbeth says. “For example, in my own situation, I learned and understood how to deal with a family member in crisis by learning to stay calm, validate their emotions, bring them down to another level, and then have a conversation start.
“Recovery is not linear. It goes in waves just like life.”
Inside the lodges where the residents live.
Chugging on
Saluda Historic Depot and Museum
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a railroad was like an artery pumping life into a community, and the train depot was the heart.
“The depot was the place of the day,” says Mike Reeves, board chairman of the nonprofit Saluda Historic Depot and Museum.
“Everybody came to the depot. They wanted to get their mail. They
wanted to get the latest gossip. They wanted to meet their friends. Family would come up to visit. Freight would come and go. Goods would come in for the town to thrive.”
Saluda’s old train depot, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was all those things. It all began in the early 1800s with the idea of a railroad
Story and Photography by Clay Johnson, with additional photos courtesy of Saluda Historic Depot and Museum
connecting the port of Charleston to the growing industrial region of the Ohio River Valley. When railroad engineers reached the mountainous terrain beyond Tryon, they thought about going around to the west but decided that would require too much track and too many tunnels, and they determined that the ground to the east where the I-26 corridor is today was too unstable. They chose to go through the Pacolet River valley, a route that begins at the bottom of the Melrose Mountain at 1,081 feet and climbs to what would become the town of Saluda, cresting at an elevation of 2,097 feet. It would be the steepest railroad grade in the country.
The first passenger train of the Asheville and Spartanburg Railroad chugged up the grade on July 4, 1878, entering a small,
A diorama of the Saluda Grade
The historical marker across from the museum
rural community known as Pace’s Gap. By February 1881, the railroad had brought so much growth and prosperity to Pace’s Gap that it was chartered as the town of Saluda.
“It was fueled completely by the railroad,” says Reeves. “When the railroad came through here suddenly there’s all these passengers. Had the railroad not been here, Saluda wouldn’t be here.”
In 1903, the railroad replaced a small depot building with a larger one to handle the growing number of passengers. The same year it was built, the railroad brought 321,000 people to Saluda, and more than a half dozen trains stopped in town every day. Many passengers were coming from Charleston and Columbia to escape the summer heat.
“Saluda was cooler. The
air was nice and clean. You could breathe. You could sleep at night, so it was a big deal to come up to the mountains. It became a very huge tourist attraction to come up here,” says Reeves.
Over the decades, as automobile travel became more popular, demand for passenger rail service declined. The last passenger train to come through Saluda was the Carolina Special in 1968. Southern Railroad began decommissioning its depots, including the one in Saluda, which was destined for demolition. The railroad offered to sell the depot to the City of Saluda for $1 with the condition that it be moved from its original location west of town. In 1983, the Eargle and Talbot families purchased the building from the city for $1,000 and moved it to its current location on Main
Because of your giving, St. Luke’s is now #1 in the region for “outstanding patient experience.”
Your generosity helps ensure our community has access to high-quality healthcare for years to come.
The Saluda Historic Depot building
Street. As a condition of the sale, the city asked that the building be restored and preserved, and the Eargle and Talbot families obliged.
“The idea is they were going to have a depot district. They were going to have a museum,” says Reeves. “It didn’t happen. Instead, it turned out to be retail.”
In 2015, the depot came up for sale again.
“A bunch of residents decided that we need to save this,” says Reeves. “This is our heritage. This is our history. We’ve got to do something. We can’t just let it go away.”
In June 2016, that group of Saluda citizens created a 501(c)3 non-profit organization named the Saluda Historic Depot to purchase the building and create a train and heritage museum. It was able to buy the building without local,
state or federal funding but rather from private donations. The museum continues to rely largely on donations to support its ongoing operation. The Saluda Historic Depot and Museum is also funded by profits from its Saluda Sweet Shop, which is part of the museum. The museum does not charge admission for coming in to look around or to attend any of its events like its monthly “Train Tales” or its annual “Night at the Museum,” which is funded by the Polk County Community Foundation.
“So we try to be an active part of the community, and we try to present our history truthfully and honestly the way it was. We want to preserve that because it’s so unique,” says Reeves.
The museum’s exhibits include pieces original to the depot, like the trainmaster’s desk. There are also signs,
Museum displays
signals, and an original porter’s uniform, many of which were donated by residents and train enthusiasts. More modern additions include a diorama of the Saluda Grade and an interactive telegraph demonstration.
“We have over 10,000 visitors a year, which is pretty big for a depot this little, so we’re kind of a big deal,” says Reeves. “We have people that come not only from all over the state but all over the country. We’ve had people from as far away as Luxemburg, Germany, and England just to see this.”
For Reeves and the other volunteers who run the Saluda Historic Depot and Museum, it’s an effort to let people walk in and get some idea of what the building was like in its early days, when the depot was the center of activity in Saluda.
Home Is Where
White Oak Village — a place of tranquility nestled in lovely Tryon. Here, where Western North Carolina’s beauty blooms year-round, you will
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Museum displays
The Saluda Historic Depot building
Comfort Me with Apples
Big, bold, and beautiful. Those three words describe HERD horse
Brandy perfectly. Add to the description that she has the best manners of any horse that has ever set four hooves on this property. This includes me, and that is saying something as I am schooled in refinement. After all, I am a student of proper
By Pebbles
etiquette, studying the disciples of the renowned Emily Post. Miss Manners can move over!
Brandy is the definition of a fine horse. She pulled a carriage with grace. She can carry a rider bareback or in English tack with elegant movement. Her trot is something dressage riders dream about in hopes of finding such a fluid horse. A rich bay color with
four white socks and a big blaze. Can we agree upon the adjective, stunning, at 16.1 hands and a body covered in dapples? Stoic and patient, she is wonderful with other horses, too. Brandy does not move a muscle when groomed, bathed, or attended by the veterinarian or farrier. Her only weakness is a fondness for fresh sliced apples. She will bend
of antibiotics, and she was finally cleared to travel to join us for months of rehab at the ranch. She fit right in, and we all fell in love with Brandy. But the eye infection returned with a vengeance. Brandy endured six Excede shots. Our vet was astounded at how well she stood still, like a statue, for each examination and series of painful shots. “What a horse,” was his comment.
For a few months, Brandy thrived. Watching her trot across her pasture with her buddy, Sonnet, was something to behold. Harmony reigned, and Brandy gained weight and blossomed into her summer coat. Her removed eye had finally healed up nicely. Unfortunately, her healthy eye started swelling, and the area around it was also enlarged and sensitive to the touch.
Once again, the vet returned. Based on his experience and the new findings, he believed Brandy had cancer of the eye. It was probable that her injured eye had been cancerous, and that is what caused her to lose sight and become involved in an accident. The kill-buyer had stated that she had been in an accident with her previous owner, and it resulted in a damaged eye. A new round of antibiotics was started. The seeing eye was flushed daily, but Brandy was becoming increasingly bothered by being in the sunshine, even with a UVrated fly mask. She stayed in her shelter all day long and only grazed after dark.
Then the unthinkable happened. My mistress, Heather Freeman, went out to perform the daily flushing of Brandy’s good eye. When she removed the fly mask, a
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What was worse is that it was showing signs of attaching her bones between her eyes, and it would enter her brain. She was starting to suffer. This was clear as, for the first time, she was reactionary to touching her face. We all knew what had to be done. With a heavy heart, Scott, Heather’s husband, prepared a grave for this big mare.
Brandy spent most of her last day with us in her shed out of the sun. But when the later afternoon softened the sun’s intensity, she went out to graze peacefully. Heather called her once the vet arrived. Brandy came quickly and obediently from the back corner of the field to Heather, who was waiting at the gate. Apples were waiting for Brandy. Freshly sliced and juicy sweet. Brandy slipped away from us quietly. Her final experience here was a pleasurable one. Her last wish was to comfort me with apples.
Brandy with Kailey Greene enjoying life
QUICK BITES
SERVE UP A SUMMERTIME SPREAD
Bright colors and fresh flavor bring out the best in summer meals, starting with seasonal salads that look as though the ingredients were just picked from a garden.
Orange, grapefruit and avocado are perfect accompaniments in this Citrus Spring Mix Salad when paired
UP YOUR GRILLING GAME WITH BELOVED TOPPINGS
Hot dogs and brats are summer favorites for a reason: the delicious (and personalized) add-ons. Make sure your spread fits everyone’s taste buds with an assortment of tasty toppings like these:
* Ketchup
with Fresh Express Spring Mix.
This garden-fresh blend combines carefully selected tender baby butter and red and green leaf lettuces with baby greens including spinach, arugula and kale that are picked when the tiny leaves are perfect and whole.
With more than 100 varieties of fresh, healthy and convenient readyto-eat salads, as well as an assortment of salad greens you can use to create your ideal summer dishes, the kits and lettuce blends are available in the refrigerated product department of your favorite grocery store.
* Mustard
* Relish
* Hot sauce
* Onions
* Pickles
* Sauerkraut
* Cole slaw
* Jalapenos
* Diced tomatoes
* Guacamole
* Nacho cheese
* Shredded cheese
CITRUS SPRING
MIX SALAD
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
DRESSING
•1/4 cup orange juice
•1 teaspoon grated orange zest
•1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
•1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
•1/2 teaspoon sugar
•1/8 teaspoon salt
SALAD
•1 package (5 ounces)
Fresh Express Spring Mix
•1 navel orange, peeled
and sectioned
•1 red grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
•1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
•1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
DIRECTIONS
•To make dressing: In small bowl, whisk orange juice, orange zest, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar and salt. Set aside.
•To make salad: In large bowl, toss spring mix with salad dressing. Divide salad evenly among two plates. Top with oranges, grapefruit, avocado and onion.
Keep your summer meals simple by leaning into versatile ingredients that can help you whip up a variety of side dishes.
These Grilled Red Potato Skewers display the delicious, nutritious, versatile qualities of Wisconsin Potatoes. With a multitude of varieties, they’re a favorite among world-class chefs, home cooks, large and small supermarkets and even the pickiest of eaters. It can be love at first bite with these 100% gluten-free potatoes that can add a touch of nutrition to summer cookouts. They’re a good source of vitamin B6, high in vitamin C, rich in potassium and an excellent source of fiber.
GRILLED
RED POTATO SKEWERS
Recipe courtesy of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
INGREDIENTS
•2 medium russet or Yukon gold Wisconsin potatoes or 6 red Wisconsin potatoes
•2 medium zucchini
•1/2 smoked sausage rope
•4 skewers (12 inches each)
•1/2 cup Italian dressing
DIRECTIONS
•Preheat grill to medium heat.
•Cut potatoes in half. Cut zucchini and sausage same width as potatoes.
•Skewer potatoes, zucchini and sausage. Repeat for each skewer.
•Place skewers in dish and cover with Italian dressing. Marinate 5 minutes.
•Place skewers on grill and cook 5 minutes on each side, or until potatoes are done.
•Remove from grill and serve.
BROWN SUGAR MERINGUES
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time:1 hour, plus 1 hour rest time
Yield: 3 dozen meringues
INGREDIENTS
•6 large egg whites, at room temperature
•1 cup Domino Light Brown Sugar
•³/4 cup Domino Granulated
Sugar Easy Baking Tub
•1/8 teaspoon salt
•2 tablespoons Domino Turbinado Sugar (optional)
•Water
DIRECTIONS
•Preheat oven to 225 F. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
•Pour 1 inch of water into
medium saucepan and heat it until simmering.
•In heat-proof bowl, mix egg whites, brown sugar, granulated sugar and salt. Put bowl on top of saucepan and warm mixture until it reaches 125 F. Stir continuously and make sure mixture does not touch water.
•Carefully remove from heat. Using electric mixer, beat mixture at high speed 8-10 minutes. Transfer meringue into piping bag fitted with star tip. Pipe 12 meringues per baking sheet.
•Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top of meringues, if desired. Bake 1 hour. Turn off oven and allow meringues to rest inside oven 1 hour. Remove from oven and enjoy.
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DILL PLUMBING
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FEAGAN BUILDING, 60 WALKER STREET, COLUMBUS. (1). 3 ROOM OFFICE WITH KITCHENETTE AND PRIVATE BATHROOM. $450/MTH. (2). 3-4 ROOM OFFICE WITH KITCHENETTE AND PRIVATE BATHROOM.$650/ MTH. WATER/SEWER AND TRASH DISPOSAL ARE INCLUDED IN RENT. OTHER UTILITIES ARE RESPONSIBILITY OF TENANT. CONTACT: PHILLIP R. FEAGAN 828894-3541.
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GOOD BY STUMPS
Stump Removal Quantity Discounts on 50+ Stumps! As low as $10 each! Call for pricing. Fully insured. Free Quotes! Call Ron at 828-447-8775
HANDYMAN SERVICES
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Please Call: 864-494-3397
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Nice Guys Yard Clean
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Philco’s Pressure
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•Clean Vinyl Siding
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green cleaning with American made cleaning products.
$10 Off Fall
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Waterboy Plumbing LLC “Residential Service and Repair” Jerrad McCall 803-869-5899
Enjoy Tryon Fine Arts Center’s Season of world-class performing arts in the foothills.
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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