Life in Our Foothills - July 2023

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.

Claire Sachse, Writer and Photographer

Once the editor of the Tryon Daily Bulletin, Claire Sachse now manages several freelance side-hustles in the public relations and publishing arena. She’s also working on writing a mystery novel in which an editor solves crimes in a fictional (maybe) mountain railroad town. Raised by a painter and a diplomat, she considers herself immensely lucky to have a home full of weird and wonderful art, and a passport full of stamps.

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

ON THE COVER

With summer in full swing, July is a great time to indulge in all that the Foothills have to offer. Whether enjoying an outdoor concert, hitting a local trail or attending Columbus’ annual Fabulous 4th of July Festival, this is the perfect time of year to get outside and make memories with friends and family.

Our area attracts many visitors, and some are so impressed with the local culture that they make the Foothills their home. James and Nancy Cullen’s successful professional lives have led them to cities across the world, but a few years back they settled here and became a huge part of the local community. The Cullens’ love for all things equestrian makes for an interesting story.

One attraction visitors to our area cannot miss is the House of Flags in downtown Columbus. This one-of-a-kind museum tells the story of our nation through the history of flags, and I can’t think of a better time to visit than July, when America celebrates its 247th birthday. This month, we meet with curator Robert Williamson, who shares with us how the House of Flags came to be and what makes it so important.

The first thing visitors see when they cross into Polk County are our beautiful mountains. First Peak Visitor’s Center in Columbus knows more about the Foothills than anyone, and their dedication to promoting tourism here is unmatched. We visit with Melinda Massey and her staff as we learn more about the First Peak of the Blue Ridge, getting a small glimpse of what it takes to take on this labor of love.

We also hear from our Pebbles, our ‘resident spokespony,’ as she introduces us to a few new members of the HERD family.

You’ll find all of this in this month’s edition, and more! 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!

Jeff Allison Editor

Story by Mark Levin

Jeff Allison Editor

life IN OUR STAFF

FOOTHILLS

General Manager

Jeff Allison

Graphic Design

Allison Dale

Marketing

Kevin Powell

Distribution

Jamie Lewis

Administration

Sydney Wilkie

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Flight of Spirit: The Photographs of Anne Noggle

Through Aug. 18, 9am-5pm

Tryon Arts & Crafts School

373 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon TryonArtsAndCrafts.org

Fabulous 4th of July Bike Tour

July 1, 7:30am-1:30pm

Harmon Field

117 Harmon Field Rd, Tryon 864-415-5804

Bikesignup.com/Race/NC/Tryon/ Fabulous4thofJulyBikeTour

Opening Reception: “Rebuilding Affrilachia” and “Paper Trails”

July 1, 4:30-7pm

Upstairs Artspace

49 S. Trade St., Tryon UpstairsArtspace.org

Fabulous 4th Celebration

July 4, 10am-10pm

Downtown Columbus

Music at the Market: Old Dawgs

July 8, 7pm

Landrum Farmer's Market

221 West Rutherford St., Landrum CityofLandrumSC.com

Saturday Night

Lights: Beach Night

July 8, 6-10pm

Tryon International Equestrian Center

25 International Blvd, Mill Spring Tryon.com

Landrum Library Speaker Series: Armadillos in The Carolinas

July 11, 6pm

Landrum Library

111 Asbury Dr, Landrum Conservingcarolina.org

Seth and Sara at TIEC

July 13, 5:30 pm

Tryon International Equestrian Center

25 International Blvd, Mill Spring

Sethandsaramusic.com

ABOVE: Seth and Sara at TIEC BELOW: Top of the Grade Concert Series in Saluda

Aanika’s Elephants

July 14, 1pm

Tryon Fine Arts Center

34 Melrose Ave., Tryon TryonArts.org

Summer Tracks: Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters

July 14, 7pm

Rogers Park

55 W Howard St, Tryon Summertracks.com, Honeycutters.com

Westside Mixer

July 14, 6-8pm

Tryon Arts and Crafts School

373 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon Tryonartsandcrafts.org

Quarterly Veterans Breakfast

July 15, 8:30-10am

Tryon Presbyterian Church

430 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon 828-859-6683

Music at the Market:

Jarret Forrester

July 15, 7pm

Landrum Farmer's Market

221 West Rutherford St., Landrum CityofLandrumSC.com

Teen Program: Teen Murder Mystery

July 17, 4pm

Landrum Library

111 Asbury Dr, Landrum 864-457-2218

Saluda Depot Train Tales: Women in Telegraphy

July 21, 7pm

Saluda Historic Depot and Museum

32 W Main St, Saluda Saludahistoricdepot.com

Top of the Grade Concert: Dulci Ellenberger

July 21, 7pm

McCreery Park, Saluda

History of Tea

July 25, 2-4pm

Polk County Public LibrarySaluda

44 W. Main St., Saluda amedrano@polklibrary.org

Tryon Summer Youth Theater presents: "Cinderella"

July 27, 28, 29 at 7:30pm

July 30 at 3 pm

Tryon Fine Arts Center

34 Melrose Ave, Tryon Tickets: tltinfo.org

Summer Tracks: Russ Wilson & His Famous Orchestra

July 28, 7 pm

Rogers Park

55 W Howard St, Tryon Summertracks.com

Music at the Market: Showman Band

July 29, 7 pm

Landrum Farmer's Market

221 West Rutherford St., Landrum CityofLandrumSC.com

Fabulous 4th Celebration in Columbus

BACKGROUND: James and Nancy Cullen

TOP RIGHT

PHOTOS: Pictures to remind James of his hometown in Dublin City, Ireland, hang on the wall inside his Irish Pub in a converted room beside their garage.

A COUPLE LIVING THEIR BEST LIFE IN THE FOOTHILLS

Meet James and Dr. Nancy Cullen, an accomplished couple in their professional and personal lives who decided to move to our neck of the woods four years ago. Their love of horses and community led them to the Foothills area.

Longtime members of their local fox

hunting club in Minnesota, the couple enjoys competing in Steeplechase racing. They met in 1993 while training for the Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis, before marrying and spending much of the last three decades in Minnesota. They finally found their way to Columbus, where they

discovered the perfect home to fit them.

“We wanted to be in a horse community, but also a strong community to live in along with thinking in terms of future retirement,” says Nancy. “We grew up in small towns and wanted to return to a place with a village feel.”

Story and photography by Storme Smith

James and Nancy Cullen

James and Nancy are enjoying life in the Foothills. They put in an arena on their property and spend as much time as they can spare riding and training their horses. James grew up with horses and began riding at a young age, beginning fox hunting at the age of six with the Bray Harriers in the Wicklow Mountains. Eventually, he became a Master of Fox Hounds.

Nancy, the daughter of a horse veterinarian, has worked in Sports and Organizational Psychology. She has a doctorate and master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and is also a certified AASP Sport Psychologist.

A consultant for the University of Minnesota’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, her alma mater, she has a private consulting practice. Semi-retired, Nancy has worked with several NBA teams, primarily the Minnesota Timberwolves.

A graduate of Trinity University in Ireland, James is the Founder and CEO of Steeplechase Advisors LLC, headquartered in Tryon with offices in Boston, Cleveland, Buffalo and Minneapolis and clients all over the country. He is a nationally recognized leader in the US middle-market restructuring industry with over 30 years of experience leading companies and financial institutions in restructuring and business reorganizations. He has served in many roles and has led over 250 restructuring, refinancing and reorganization processes across the globe for various companies.

The Cullens are strong advocates for the Foothills and active members of the local horse community. Members of the Tryon Fox Hunting Club, the couple’s love for horses and their expertise in business and psychology have made them a dynamic duo. James has also made use of his Irish gift of public speaking to emcee the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club’s last two Steeplechase Dinners.

James enjoys the village life,

which reminds him of Ireland, going to work daily in Tryon and being able to go down the street to grab coffee or lunch with friends. He appreciates having his gym, dentist and doctor all within a short walking distance from his office on North Trade St.

“This part of the country is quite similar to the part of Ireland I grew up,” he says. “Horses in Ireland are very much a spiritual part of the culture. And fox hunting in Ireland is an ingrained part of the local fabric and brings everyone together of all ages and incomes. It’s also very favorable to run a business in North Carolina. You can live in this wonderful community and still easily travel all over the country. “

The couple enjoys the local culture and its many great restaurants and events, spending time at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, the Tryon Theater and Tryon Fine Arts Center.

The primary correlation

ABOVE AND LEFT: Various pictures of James and Nancy with their beloved horses.

between horses and business is resilience, James says

“If something is not going well one day, you must persevere and work through it. You have to have a lot of patience and resilience,” he says. “Justice, prudence, temperance and fortitude are components of what we believe it takes to be successful whether you’re training horses or trying to restructure a troubled company.”

James explains how he found success in a competitive and highstakes business.

“First, you need to be financially

astute and understand the financial analytics and have a command of the factual issues,” James says. “ You have to build consensus around a strategy with stakeholders that may have varying and conflicting issues.”

Nancy adds,” It’s also vital to recognize the importance of managing different personalities.”

James says one of the big lessons he’s learned working internationally is that people want to do the right thing.

“Being a financial person is one thing, but being able to build consensus is the biggest factor,” he explains.

TOP: View from the Cullen’s back porch in Columbus ABOVE: Views from around the Cullens home.

TOP RIGHT: James and Nancy stand in front of the mountain view.

RIGHT: Framed photos of Nancy competing in several Steeplechase races.

“A lot of my background has come from just studying the approaches of historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Ronald Reagan.”

He adds, “I have a tremendous advantage being married to a doctor of psychology.”

Nancy says the Foothills felt like home right away.

“It was so easy to make a home here,” she says. “The people are all so gracious and welcoming. We just felt a part of the community right away.”

James and Nancy Cullen are true examples of what it means to be successful in both business and personal endeavors. Their passion for horses and dedication to helping others has made them a beloved couple in the Polk County community in a short time. With their unique combination of expertise and experience, it’s no wonder they make such a great team. Views from around the Cullens home.

Discover Our Country’s Story at the

House of Flags Museum

Flags can symbolize so much, including everything from countries to causes. They can also tell stories, and the story of our country is told through the flags on display at the House of Flags Museum in downtown Columbus.

“We think of a flag as representing a sovereign nation,

a sovereign state, a governmental unit or a military and so on, but it’s the people who are behind that flag, who support that flag, sponsor that flag that make it all worthwhile because without the people, the flag is nothing,” says Robert Williamson, who is the curator of the museum. “We know of no other museum that’s

like this.”

The late George Scoville, a local resident, founded the museum in September 2001. Williamson says Scoville noticed people ignoring the flag and color guard and he wanted to create a place to teach flag history and respect. Scoville opened the museum in the VFW building 13 miles outside of town.

Story and photography by Clay Johnson

TOP LEFT: Visitor Tom Weaver views flags on display LEFT: An inside view of the museum

BOTTOM LEFT: The President’s Flag Exhibit BACKGROUND: An inside view of the museum

It had no heat, air conditioning or restrooms. Scoville passed away in November 2008 but Polk County Commissioners kept his dream alive and donated a downtown building to the museum in 2011.

It’s now a living reminder of Scoville’s tireless passion for educating younger generations about the history of our nation’s flags and the stories they tell about our country’s struggles for liberty and freedom.

“We teach the history of the United States,” says Williamson. “We teach flag respect. We teach how to use the flag properly and what the flag means, so it’s an educational museum.”

The museum displays a comprehensive historical collection of over 300 United States, military, state and international flags, including all 27 full-size

TOP: Curator Robert Williamson conducts a tour at the House of Flags

ABOVE: Names on 9/11 Honor Flag on display at the House of Flags

TOP RIGHT: Front of House of Flags Museum

official US. flags from 1776 to 1960. The impressive exhibits include the hornet’s nest flag, which was the first unofficial flag of North Carolina. It symbolizes how a local militia defeated British General Charles Cornwallis and his troops at Charlotte in 1780.

“Cornwallis wrote back to

England and said ‘I tried to retain Mecklenburg County and Charlotte Town but it’s a hornet’s nest of rebellion,’ hence Charlotte is known as the hornet’s nest city, as in the Charlotte Hornets basketball team,” says Williamson.

One of the newest additions to the museum is the Presidential

Flag Exhibit. Williamson says it’s the only exhibit like it in the United States. It shows the evolution of the presidential flag from George Washington to Dwight Eisenhower when our nation reached 50 states. There’s also an exhibit of flags remembering the September 11 terrorist attacks, including one called the Flag of Honor.

“Nearly all 3,000 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in New York, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania are named on this flag,” says Williamson.

The US flags are all painstakingly accurate reproductions, some custommade, some donated and some purchased. The president’s flags are all hand-embroidered, a process Williamson says takes about 900 hours. He says originals can be nearly impossible to find and are too expensive to preserve and protect, especially for an all-volunteer, nonprofit

organization.

“If we had authentic flags we’d have hundreds of millions of dollars worth of artifacts here and frankly we don’t have the deep pockets to secure that and preserve that,” says Williamson.

Still, the authentic reproductions draw groups from schools, churches, and civic organizations as well as history buffs from all over the world.

“We’ve had some people come through say ‘I’ve got a half hour to look at the flags,’” says Williamson. “When they start hearing the first story of the flags they’re here for another two hours because every flag has a story.”

That’s what happened to Tom Weaver and his wife Sara when they moved to Columbus from Illinois in 2020 and first visited the museum.

“We went inside and we wanted to stay like for 10 minutes and we stayed for two hours,” says Weaver.

Founder George Scoville outside the original museum in Green Creek

“I encourage everybody to visit the flag museum, not just once, but multiple times to really absorb the true value of what the museum can deliver.”

“Once you come here and you start getting the education of how the flags were designed, how they were made, why they were made then you see a whole different aspect of what the House of Flags Museum is actually about,” says Columbus mayor Patrick McCool, who adds that the museum is a great asset to draw tourists to the town.

Williamson says the most important thing for all visitors to understand is that what they are seeing is far more than just flags.

“The flag represents our nation,” says Williamson. “It’s not just a piece of cloth, and when it represents our nation it represents the history of our nation. Everything our nation went through to get to this point is represented and can be told by that flag.”

The House of Flags Museum is located at 33 Gibson St. in Columbus. It’s open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours can be arranged at other times by appointment. Admission is free. To learn more visit houseofflags.org

ST ON E 30

LEFT: US Flags on display at the House of Flags

ABOVE: Original NC “Hornets Nest” flag on display

First Peak of the Blue Ridge Visitor Center

Opening Eyes to All That’s Amazing in Polk County

Melinda Massey had some big challenges when she took on the job as the Polk County Travel & Tourism Director. One of the biggest was to figure out a way to get people to pull over and stay a while. Millions of tourists pass through on I-26

and US 74 each year, sometimes passing us by for better-known tourist magnets like Asheville and the Great Smokies. But hard work does not discourage Melinda, a certified Travel Marketing Professional. One of her first tasks was to create

a brand image of the area based on what makes Polk County unique. While tourists might be heading to the higher mountains, they’re passing through here first.

It wasn’t long before that proverbial lightbulb went off in Melinda’s head. It’s here in Polk

BACKGROUND: Effie May Carter and Debbie Hester staff the information desk to help locals and visitors find fun things to do in the area.

photos

Story and photography by Mark Levin

Additional scenic photos submitted by Melinda Massey

TOP RIGHT: Melinda is always watching for scenic

around the areaa few examples include a beautiful sunset and a view of the Polk County mountains

MORE TO KNOW

The First Peak Visitor Center is located at 20 East Mills Street in downtown Columbus. The Center is staffed Monday through Saturday, but the door is literally always open. (A small vestibule is open 24/7 with an assortment of local travel info). The website, www.FirstPeakNC.com, is also available around the clock and showcases pretty much everything Polk County has to offer. From the website, visitors can request additional info including the latest First Peak Visitor Guide, and subscribe to the weekly events newsletter. Contact the Center at: visit@FirstPeakNC.com. 828/ 894-2324 or toll-free at 800/ 440-7848.

ABOVE: Spring at the Visitor Center

LEFT: The Visitor Center displays local and regional brochures and information. This brochure rack includes information on attractions from 20 minutes to two hours away and is grouped by direction so that visitors can easily see what they’ll discover during their travels.

County where people get their first views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s here where that initial glimpse causes hearts to beat just a little faster. And the mountain that rises a bit above the others is named Tryon Peak with an elevation of around 3,200 feet above sea level.

So, she formed a small committee and with a bit of brainstorming and soulsearching, the name First Peak of the Blue Ridge was chosen for our destination. And it’s the perfect description as is witnessed daily by travelers and would-be tourists. Head up I-26 West or over US 74 West and you’ll understand the beauty of our county. Those mountains you see, those mountains you get your first peek of…are Polk County mountains. The job that Melinda and her staff have is to get those travelers to stop.

And stop they do. Some notice the strategically placed “Visitor Information” signs,

some are just curious about what the area has to offer and others are planning on staying a few days and want ideas. Travelers might just need directions or a suggestion for a place to have lunch. A few ask for help making reservations for a place farther up the road. But they all have one thing in common; they all leave with a warm feeling thanks to Melinda and her fellow staffers Effie May Carter, Debbie Hester and Christine Mariotti.

It’s a busy office. In addition to drop-ins, the crew handles phone

requests, email requests and website inquiries. Specially picked information packets are mailed out daily. Welcome bags are prepared for local groups to give out at events and are also available for walk-ins who might stop by when the office is closed.

The website, www. firstpeaknc.com is fullfeatured and is constantly being updated. It could be described as simply amazing.

The website includes a treasure of information on over 500 tourism-related businesses and places in

The Visitor Center displays local and regional brochures and information. This brochure rack includes information on attractions from 20 minutes to two hours away and is grouped by direction so that visitors can easily see what they’ll discover during their travels.

Polk County. And it’s a service to those local businesses that comes at no cost to them. The website includes listings on Polk County lodging of all types (motels, bed & breakfasts and inns, vacation rentals, campgrounds), restaurants, shopping and recreational activities. The site includes photos, links, contact info, an interactive locator map, and even a link to add something to a “favorites list” as you build your Polk County stay.

To the staff, it’s a never-ending challenge to keep the listings current. Hardly a day goes by without a dozen details that need changing, but Melinda is quick to point out that the staff sees it as a labor of love. My guess is the staff knows more about this county than anyone.

If Iron Key Brewing had a Polk County Info trivia night, the First Peak Team would breeze to an easy victory.

Another impressive feature of the website is a comprehensive listing of upcoming events that

Pearson’s Falls and Glen - Saluda NC

would be interesting to visitors. An abbreviated version of just what’s ahead in the next week is available to download and can be sent to your email inbox each Wednesday. They also publish a listing of local restaurants that is updated monthly.

The First Peak Visitor Center, as it is known, occupies the old Tryon Federal Bank building on the corner of Mills and Walker Streets.

Melinda had just started with the county Travel and Tourism office in 2006 when it was relocated from Tryon to the county-owned building. The building and gardens have blossomed over many years, changing from a plain landscape to a welcoming corner for Columbus. Melinda’s vision and personal gardening skills along with help

from the Daffy Jills Garden Club in the early years plus encouragement and funding from the Polk County Appearance Commission made big differences in the looks and appeal of the building. Later, Melinda worked with Thompson Landscape Professionals to plan and install additional elements.

The Visitor Center is a total package that supports our economy. Melinda estimates that around 15,000 people visit the center each year in addition to all the phone and email requests. Tourism is an important business in Polk County… and it’s growing. An annual study conducted by Visit North Carolina found that, in 2021, over 300 Polk County jobs were directly attributable to tourism, and the

economic impact of visitor spending locally was over $55 million dollars. That spending generated a $229 tax savings for each county resident in 2021.

While the Visitor Center is a Polk County government undertaking, it is a self-supporting department. Funds for the Center come from a three percent occupancy tax that visitors pay on their lodging bill. This doubles to six percent if they’re staying inside the city limits of our three towns. The towns keep that extra amount to promote their individual towns. It’s a win-win for Polk County. Melinda says, “The visitor of today pays to bring the visitors of tomorrow.”

Melinda and her staff love interacting with guests when they

Spring Mountain Scene in Polk County

stop in. She recalls more than a few folks who will say, “I drove through this area in the ‘60s as a teenager with my parents and we stopped and had the most wonderful meal – do you know where we ate?” Melinda muses, “And we can answer, and they can still eat there! Caro-Mi on Highway 176. That’s amazing.”

Polk County residents might not realize just how special we are. Melinda makes a point to say we have three history museums as well as the House of Flags in the county. “There’s something free to do almost every day on our events calendar – and you can hear live music nearly every day around the county,” reflects Melinda. I really love getting to welcome visitors and anyone needing some directions or ideas. I hope we can offer them the service they need to help them have the best time while they’re here, whether that means relaxing or packing every minute with something to do.”

You can tell she loves her job.

Sunset Rock near Columbus

A Colorful Look at the Horses of HERD

A pair of gray mares and their foals join the family

By Pebbles

Today I am taking an inquisitive look at our collection of equines, based solely on coloring. In our rescue, Helping Equines Regain Dignity (HERD), the majority of horses and ponies we save are true redheads.

Sorrel is a reddish coat color of a horse lacking any hint of black. It is the most common shade of chestnut—a deep, brassy, color, like a new copper penny. Truth be told, many of us who support HERD have a weakness for chestnut horses. This is also the most common coat color.

To have a dash of black in

the mane, tail, and legs makes a red-coated horse a true bay. Surprisingly, we have no bays here on the ranch at this moment. Oh, we have had them in the past. There was Certain, Scout, Braveheart, Harmony, and Comet to name a few bays who have graced us with their shiny, gleaming coats complemented by black manes and tails.

Presently, we have six chestnut horses, a strawberry roan, three black horses, two buckskins, and two fancy overo paints. The most exotic of them all, of course, is me, a chocolate palomino.

We recently welcomed a pair

BACKGROUND: Sloan and his mother, Calypso, who is a flea-bitten gray.

of silvery-maned gray mares. They appear to be fleabitten gray and joined us with newborn foals at their sides. It looks like both of their dark-colored offspring, a colt and a filly, will also transform into gray, with the quick passage of time.

Gray horses carry a dominant gene for their coloring that supersedes all other coat options. That is why they are born one color – for example, bay, – and as the equine ages, they gradually turn from silver gray to almost white in color.

I suppose flea-bitten may have a negative ring for most non-horsey folks. Who wants a flea-bitten dog, a flea-bitten cat, or even an old sofa with this term associated with it? However, flea-bitten gray is a rarer

ABOVE: Newborn Sloan on arrival day to HERD. Note the auction tag glued onto his neck.

TOP: Flea-bitten gray mare Grace with her filly, Mia.

coat color for a horse. An equine born with this important gene looks quite ordinary when it is born, having a chestnut or bay base. As these equines age, the coat starts transforming to gray.

Flea-bitten gray babies also begin to develop bay highlights shortly after their birth, whereas the other gray horses can be identified a bit later by their dappled silver coats and black manes.

Take our rescue yearling colt, Polaris, for example. He arrived on our ranch over two years ago. When he stepped off the trailer, he sported a jet-black coat with tall white stockings and a broad blaze. Now at age three, Polaris is covered in large round black dapples over a silver coat. His mane is still black and so is his

tail, but the tip of his thick tail is white. Polaris has also greatly expanded in size. He is now over 15 hands and simply stunning.

The prominent difference between the gray horse and the flea-bitten gray horse is the little brown specks that cover their body. Our new mare arrivals have brown freckles. The donors who helped save them from shipping to Mexico to

become someone’s dinner named the mares Grace and Calypso. The foals are Mia, the daughter of Grace, and Sloan, the son of Calypso. Grace is age six, Calypso is eight.

The foals were under a month old when they entered our rescue. All sounds nice and easy, a fairytale ending—but alas it is not so simple. The mares are not easy to handle. They had to be run onto a

trailer through a livestock shoot. Calypso is not halter broken and runs backward when asked to have interaction. Neither mare’s feet have ever been trimmed. So, our team of helpers at HERD had to set up special feeding pens in pastures so we can gradually get the mares to accept human interaction. This is vitally important as we must have a vet administer vaccines soon, and handling the babies early in life

ABOVE: Polaris, a dapple-gray compared to a flea-bitten gray

RIGHT: Grace’s filly, Mia

is so important.

So, as I pen this column, Bill McClelland takes the morning shift to feed the mares and their foals. My mistress Heather takes the evening shift, and she lingers, sitting in the feeders so the mares must engage with her to eat their dinner. Slowly but surely, it is working. Heather is the carrot for these mares. She is the treat, demanding only that she is present, and she touches them lightly as they dine.

Surprisingly, Sloan, the bold colt of Calypso, is the most eager to interact with Heather. He greets her at the gate. He accepts feed from her hand and lets her know he is the man about town in his pasture. He is one month old and each day Sloan transforms.

First, the area around his eyes became gray. Next, his muzzle turned gray. Areas around his ears are also turning gray. Meanwhile, filly Mia has only a small gray streak down the side of her head. She is playful, kicks out at Heather, and Calypso and her nursing

foal, Sloan.

is not interested in engagement. Oddly enough, her mother is the friendlier of the two mares. Mia is the cautious one of the two foals.

There are so many unknown factors in rescue work. The gray area for us concerns these mares’ past lives. We were told that the stallion that produced their new foals was sired by the champion reining horse, Smart Spook. Their previous owner did not care enough about them to document their breeding, have them registered, or send any information about the mare’s history to help them find a safe landing.

They were sold for their meat weight at auction with the foals, only a few days old, at their sides.

Imagine their insecurity, having to cope with the fear of the unknown. The good news is they are safe, cradled in the care of HERD to raise their babies. It was truly a gray day for them earlier with a questionable future. Now with us, there is colorful hope ahead for four gray horses.

Sloan, the colt, turning gray on his face.

FRESH SUMMER FLAVORS

FIT FOR THE PATIO

Gatherings in the summer sun are all about easy, convenient recipes combined with the joy warm weather brings. Spend those special occasions with those you love most

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN FLATBREADS INGREDIENTS

2 flatbreads

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 clove garlic, diced

4 chicken tenders, cooked and cubed

1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered

salt, to taste

and make this summer one to remember with flatbreads, sliders for all to share.

Keeping cooking simple means more time on the patio or in the

pepper, to taste

1/2 cup ranch dressing

1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle seasoning

2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 F. Place parchment paper on baking sheet

backyard engaging with guests, and these Chipotle Chicken Flatbreads and Chicken Shawarma Sliderslet home chefs skip complicated kitchen duties without skimping on flavor.

and add flatbreads. Sprinkle cheese on flatbreads. Top with garlic, chicken and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake 16 minutes until cheese is melted. In small bowl, mix ranch and chipotle seasoning. Drizzle ranch dressing on flatbreads and sprinkle with cilantro leaves.

CHICKEN SHAWARMA SLIDERS

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika

1/2 tablespoon ground cumin

1/2 tablespoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 package (12) slider buns

1 container (17 ounces) Fresh Cravings Honey Jalapeno Hummus

1 package (8 ounces) shredded lettuce

1/2 small red onion, sliced

DIRECTIONS

In zip-top plastic bag, use meat mallet or heel of hand to pound chicken to even thickness. Cut into 2-inch pieces and place in large bowl. Add oil, garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt and cayenne; toss. Cover chicken and chill 8 hours, or up to 2 days. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken 4-5 minutes per side, or until done. Serve chicken on buns with hummus, lettuce and onion.

DIAL UP FLAVOR WITH SUMMER FAVORITES

Turn up the heat this summer and spice your way to delicious warm-weather recipes by using subtle ingredients that bring out bold flavors in your favorite foods. Adding a taste-enhancing option to your repertoire - TajÌn Fruity Chamoy Sauce - can make your summer get-togethers the talk of the neighborhood.

Cool off while enjoying mildly spicy dishes. Made with 100% natural chiles, lime juice, sea salt and a hint of apricot,

TajÌn Fruity Chamoy Sauce offers a unique sweet-and-spicy flavor without too much heat. Perfect for drizzling over fresh fruits and veggies like mango, pineapple, watermelon and more, it's also commonly used to bring fruity, subtle spice to a wide variety of recipes including beverages and snacks, like smoothies, mangonadas, ice pops and cold drinks.

For example, in this Savory Mango Chamoy Daiquiri, the apricots create a fruity, tangy flavor that's a nice, refreshing twist on a traditional drink.

Bringing a touch of heat to summer cookouts can be a breeze with mild hot sauces added to dishes like these Spiced Pork Ribs, which can be created start-to-finish in the oven or taken outside to sear on the grill. Just a handful of ingredients are required to season the ribs to spicy perfection before

wrapping them in foil and letting your oven do the work

The key ingredient for the right touch of subtle heat without being overwhelming is TajÌn Mild Hot Sauce, a unique, flavorful addition to your cabinet that pairs well with savory snacks like tortilla chips, chicken wings, pizza and even micheladas. The lime is what makes it different from other hot sauces.

Made with 100% natural mild chiles, lime juice and sea salt without added sugars or coloring, it can be enjoyed by the whole family as a versatile way to enhance favorite foods with a mild but wild flavor.

Both recipes can be easily enhanced with a simple concept: just pair TajÌn Cl·sico seasoning with either or both of the sauces to create unique flavor combinations, a tasty "mix it" tactic to add to your warm-weather menu and make it uniquely yours.

Spiced Pork Ribs

Total time: 3 hours, 10 minutes

Servings: 6 INGREDIENTS

2 racks (about 4 pounds) baby back ribs

1/4 cup TajÌn Cl·sÌco Seasoning

1/4 cup TajÌn Mild Hot Sauce, plus additional for serving, divided

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons brown sugar lime wedges, for serving mashed potatoes or steamed rice, for serving (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Rub ribs with seasoning. Marinate at least 4 hours or overnight in refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 300 F. Combine hot sauce, oil and brown sugar; brush over both rib racks.

Line baking sheet with double layer of aluminum foil with enough overhang to wrap foil around ribs.

Lay ribs, bone side down, on foil-lined baking sheet. Wrap foil around ribs and seal. Place on baking sheet.

Fill large baking dish or roasting pan with 2 inches of boiling water. Place on lower oven rack to

Tryon Fine Arts Center presents

Aanika’s Elephants

Friday, July 14 – 1 pm

Saturday, July 15 – 1 pm & 6 pm

Tickets: Advance $5*, Door $7**

Produced by the best puppeteers in show business:

• Writer: Annie Evans,13-time Emmy Award Winning Writer for Sesame Street

• Director: Pam Arciero, Puppeteer with Sesame Street for more than 35 years

• Puppet Design: Martin P. Robinson, Designer, Puppeteer (Mr. Snuffleupagus) with Sesame Street for decades

Performed by actors and puppeteers from Sesame Street and Jim Henson Productions.

keep ribs moist as they bake. Place ribs on middle oven rack. Bake 2 1/2-3 hours, or until meat is tender and just starting to fall off bone.

Preheat broiler. Unwrap ribs and place on foil-lined baking sheet. Broil 4-6 minutes on middle oven rack, or until lightly charred and caramelized.

Serve with lime wedges and additional hot sauce.

Serve with mashed potatoes or steamed white rice, if desired.

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 2

INGREDIENTS

Rim Glass:

2 tablespoons TajÌn Fruity Chamoy Hot Sauce

2 tablespoons TajÌn Cl·sico Seasoning

Drink:

4 tablespoons TajÌn Fruity Chamoy Hot Sauce, divided

1 cup frozen mango cubes, plus additional for garnish, divided

1/3 cup natural syrup

3 ice cubes

1/3 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon TajÌn Cl·sico Seasoning, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

To rim glass: Rim glass in chamoy hot sauce then seasoning.

See

To make drink: Blend 3 tablespoons chamoy hot sauce, mango cubes, syrup, ice cubes and orange juice. In glass, pour remaining chamoy hot sauce.

To serve, garnish with additional mango cubes and sprinkle with seasoning.

Savory Mango Chamoy Daquiri

Lemon Cheesecake with Fruit

Servings: 6-8

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

3 eggs

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 orange, peeled and separated

8 raspberries

3 mint leaves, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press firmly into 9-inch springform pan.

In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add eggs, fresh lemon juice and vanilla extract; mix until combined.

Pour into pan. Bake 5055 minutes, or until center springs back when lightly pressed.

Chill in refrigerator until completely cooled. Arrange orange slices around border of cake and place raspberries in middle. Top with mint leaves.

C.N.A $1,000 Sign-On Bonus 2nd $2 shift diff 3rd shift $1 shift diff RN/LPN $2000 Sign-On Bonus 7p-7a FT PT 3p-11p and 11p-7a C.N.A II PT Weekends. Please apply in person at Autumn Care of Saluda 501 Esseola St. Saluda, NC 28773.

BECKER ELECTRIC -FREE 10 Year warranty on a new GENERAC Whole Home Generator. Give Russ a call and he’ll take care of all of your power problems. 828-3480977

Bill the painter for all your painting needs! Also do drywall repair and wood repair! 32 years experience. Like Bill the Pinter on Facebook 828-8992647

Dill Plumbing. Specializing in small repairs, Water Heaters, Well Pumps. Serving Polk County for 34 years. Licensed and insured. N.C. & S.C. 828817-1327.

DIXON AC & HEATING • Your HVAC Service & Repair Expert • Serving the Tryon area for 30+ years. Call (828)863-0555

Epperson’s Tree Service

• Complete Tree Service

•Dangerous removals •View Cutting •Lot Clearing •Tree Trimming •Crane Removals Serving NC for 25yrs Fully Insured ISA Certified Arborist (828)606-4980

ERIKA BRADLEY, REALTOR® 828.702.5970 YOUR LOCAL REALTOR HELPING YOU BUY/ SELL IN WNC! ERIKAB@C21ML. COM CENTURY 21 MOUNTAIN LIFESTYLES 640 GREENVILLE HWY, HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28792

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•Leaf Removal •Mulching

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HOME FOR RENT WITH EXQUISITE MOUNTAIN VIEWS IN TRYON 3BD/2BA, UPDATED, ALL APPLIANCES, FULLY FURNISHED. $2800, Utilities up to $250/mo included. CALL SUSAN 864.484.3657 FOR MORE INFO. Owner agent.

Attn: Care Givers of Loved Ones With Memory Issues

Free Supervised Care for two hours at The Meeting Place, Columbus, NC May 11 & 25. Limited Participation Preregistration required, Contact Peggy Wyllie for details: 828-859-6339. Free program offered by The Foothills Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care Givers Support Group in order to provide respite for care givers. Monthly meeting for care givers the last Wednesday of each month at 3:00pm at The Meeting Place.

Retired RN: 40+ yrs exp. Seeking employment I have a wide range of experience. Have a new diagnosis, need help managing, or if you are a caregiver in need of time of, I can help! Personal care, light housekeeping, and meal prep. Would be able to help w/medication set up and/or administration. References/ background check available. (864)316-6037

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

Accepting Applications

•Mechanical Maintenance

•Diesel Mechanics •Class-A CDL Drivers •Retail Yard Associates/Drivers •Equipment Cleaning Technician •Heavy Equipment Operators •Welder www.hensonsinc.net Click on Employment Opportunities 828-859-5836

J BLAIR ENTERPRISES Gutter Installation, French Drains, Gutter Cleaning, Fascia Repair, and more. CALL JOSH: 864398-3158

Lake Pointe Landing, A Century Park Community. Lake Pointe Landing is not just a great place to live, but a great place to work as well! We are currently looking for nursing

staff including CNAs, RNs and LPNs, offering competitive pay and benefits. Visit www. centurypa.com today to explore available positions and apply online! Or stop by out facility to fill out a paper application.

Manuel Flores Construction

•Stucco •Block •Brick •Tile

•Concrete •Stone Work 864361-1794

PART-TIME FINANCE

OFFICER (up to 19 hours)

Pettigrew Regional Library, Plymouth, NC Qualifications: * Knowledge of state, county, and federal fiscal and personnel regulations, policies, and procedures. * Knowledge of the application of established bookkeeping and accounting principles and techniques to governmental accounting transactions. *Knowledge of Quickbooks and Microsoft Office programs. * Ability to understand standard financial statements and reports. * Ability to meet deadlines and plan sequence of work. Education and Experience:

*Minimum: Associates Degree. Courses in bookkeeping or accounting with at least 3 years appropriate experience is required. *Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree with at least 3 years appropriate experience. Application Process Please submit a cover letter and resume to: Judi Bugniazet headquarters@ pettigrewlibraries.org PRL is an EOE

Philco’s Pressure Washing Get all the Mold, Mildew, & Oxidation off your house!

•Clean Vinyl Siding •Driveways

•Sidewalks •Stain & Seal Decks & More! Liability & Workers Comp 31 years Experience Call To Clean Today! Phil Tolleson 864-599-1978 or 864-3048463

POLK COUNTY SCHOOLS

•Full-Time EC Teacher Asst/ Bus Driver - up to $15/hr

•Open Interviews Tue/Thur 2pm-4pm for Custodial & Food Service •Substitute Teacher/ Food Service - $13 an hour Visit https://polkschools. org/personnel/ to apply Or Call:828-894-1001

PRICE REDUCED! $550,000 128 Fox Covert Lane, Tryon, NC. 3 B/2 ½ B, FP, decks, 2 car garage, granite Counters,

main level master in Hunting Country area.Lane Robbat: 828.817.4663

JUST LISTED! $369,356 710 Landrum Trail Landrum – community pool & gated community 3b/2 ½B, 2 car garage, FP, granite counters, FP, granite counters, wood floors, vaulted ceilings. Lane Robbat: 828.817.4663

JUST LISTED! $329,323 1639

PARRIS BRIDGE RD, Chesnee 29356. Completely renovated & Permitted 4 b/3ba home on unrestricted 1.23 level acres, granite kitchen counters, covered porch. Bring RV, boat or build workshop, great rental potential.Lane Robbat: 828.817.4663

Rise & Shine Cleaning Service • 20+ years experience

Marj Duncan 828-817-6350

Private House & Commercial Cleaning, Construction Cleaning. References Upon Request. We offer green cleaning with American made cleaning products.

$10 Off Spring Preventative Maintenance (Reg $75) Rutherford Heating and Air 828-287-2240

STEPS TO HOPE Thrift Barn

• Landrum, SC • FT Donation Assistant FT Donation Assistant/ Driver Duties include but not limited to: •Greet donors, accept donations, provide tax receipts •Sort/separate donations •Unload truck after pickups •High School diploma/ equivalent •Ability to stand for long periods & lift heavy items

•Backup Driver must have valid driver’s license PTO, Healthcare Benefits included. Send resume to retail@stepstohope.org

Sunny Creek Farm

Now Hiring Multiple Positions. Hydroponic Farming, Production Crew: Positions Available Greenhouse, Shipping/ Receiving, Management.

Job Responsibilities: Seed sanitation, Growing, Harvesting, Packaging, Storage of produce. Starting pay is $15/hr, Indoor Temperature Controlled Facility. Benefits After 90 Days: Health Insurance, 401K, Paid Vacation. Call or Stop by for More Info!

828-393-4135 520 Pinefield Dr. Tryon, NC 28782

HOME FOR RENT WITH EXQUISITE MOUNTAIN VIEWS IN TRYON 3BD/2BA, UPDATED, ALL APPLIANCES, FULLY FURNISHED. $2800, Utilities up to $250/mo included. CALL SUSAN 864.484.3657 FOR MORE INFO. Owner agent.

Hiring adult Christian for a church in Landrum. Person must have a love and experience teaching and playing with children. Able to be flexible between, newborn room, 2yr,and 3yrs, and 4-6yr old rooms Sundays 9:3012:30pm. $15 per hour. Call Teresa @ 828-817-1450

Come join the team at White Oak of Tryon. Benefits (FT). Competitive pay. Great environment! Applications currently accepted at White Oak of Tryon, 70 Oak Street, Tryon, NC 28782. White Oak of Tryon is an equal opportunity employer.

Landrum/Campobello

2BR/2BA, Appliances, with scenic views and convenient to interstate, two levels. $975/ month + security deposit Call: 864-590-7444

Current Openings

The Town of Tryon is currently seeking applicants for full-time positions in Public Works Water & Sewer Department. Job applications may be obtained at Tryon Town Hall, 301 N. Trade Street, Tryon, NC 28782 or download at tryon-nc.com/towngovernment/employment/. Open until filled EOE

LAWSON PAINTING

Residential Painting •Interior & Exterior •Ceiling Texturing •Light Carpentry Free Estimates Please Call: 864-494-3397

FOR RENT! 2BR 1 BA IN SUNNY VIEW. SUITABLE FOR A COUPLE OR SINGLE. NO PETS. $500 MTH PLUS DEPOSIT. 828625-4820.

Waterboy Plumbing LLC

“Residential Service and Repair” Jerrad McCall 803869-5899