July 2026 Life in Our Foothills
Mill Spring Farm Store
Connecting local farmers and neighbors July 2026
Carving Conservation
Dale Weiler Finds Purpose in Stone and Wildlife
Drawing through the Darkness Artist Lance Footer
Seen Around Town
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CONTRIBUTORS 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.
Kirk Gollwitzer, Writer and Photographer Kirk Gollwitzer is a freelance writer, musician, photographer, videographer, and real estate broker specializing in buying and selling homes and horse properties. A former key figure and co-founder of the Tryon International Film Festival, he has done several documentaries and has written two novels.
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
JULY 2026
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FROM THE EDITOR
A
Jeff Allison Publisher
ON THE COVER
July 2026 Life in Our Foothills
Mill Spring Farm Store
Connecting local farmers and neighbors July 2026
Carving Conservation
Dale Weiler Finds Purpose in Stone and Wildlife
Drawing through the Darkness Artist Lance Footer
Seen Around Town
Saturday Night Lights at Tryon International $4.95
Mill Spring Farm Store (Story on page 16)
By Kirk Gollwitzer
s our nation commemorates its 250th anniversary, July provides a special opportunity to reflect on the people, places, and traditions that have helped shape America. Here in the Foothills, those stories are woven into our farms, small businesses, arts community, and neighborhoods—making this an ideal time to celebrate both our country’s heritage and the local character that defines our region. In this month’s edition of Life in Our Foothills, we’re highlighting stories that showcase the character, creativity, and resilience of our region. From local agriculture and the arts to inspiring personal journeys, these features offer a glimpse into the individuals and organizations that continue to enrich our communities. This month, we sit down with Reda Harvey, owner of the Mill Spring Farm Store, to learn more about how her operation connects neighbors with local farmers and food producers. The Mill Spring Farm Store certainly sells food, but after spending time with the people who stock its shelves, raise its products, and support its mission, it becomes clear that the store offers something else as well: a reminder that the local agriculture community remains strong and deeply rooted in the Foothills. Next, Storme Smith speaks with local sculptor Dale Weiler, whose work can be found in museums, conservation centers, and private collections across the country. His sculptures have earned him membership in some of the nation’s most prestigious art organizations. Yet for Weiler, artistic recognition has become secondary to a larger purpose: protecting wildlife and preserving the natural world through art. We also share the remarkable story of local artist Lance Footer. Although legally blind, he creates comic book covers, sketch cards, commissions, and original artwork while working around limitations that would discourage many people from ever picking up a pencil. Lance is also an accomplished cyclist who once ranked ninth in the world and found himself in contention for a spot on a Paralympic team. And, of course, we hear from our resident “spokespony,” Pebbles, with the latest updates from the rescued equines at the HERD Ranch. You’ll find all of this and more in this month’s edition of Life in Our Foothills. As always, I welcome your thoughts, story ideas, and local highlights at jeff. allison@tryondailybulletin.com. Thanks for reading, and have a safe and happy Fourth of July. Jeff Allison Editor
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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS
STAFF Publisher & General Manager Jeff Allison Graphic Design Alex Sokoluk Marketing Stacey Cullen Distribution Jamie Lewis Austin Heffner Administration Jennifer Sattler
life IN OUR
FOOTHILLS Life in Our Foothills is published monthly by Tryon Newsmedia LLC. Life in Our Foothills is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Tryon Newsmedia LLC. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Please address all correspondence (including, but not limited to, letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to 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.
JULY 2026
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CONTENTS 10 Calendar of Events
12 Seen Around Town Saturday Night Lights at Tryon International
16 Mill Spring Farm Store Connecting local farmers, food producers and neighbors
24
12
Carving Conservation Connecting local farmers, food producers and neighbors
32 Drawing in the Darkness Artist Lance Footer
40 A Thing for Ting Pebbles shares an update on HERD
49 Marketplace
50 Ad Index
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24
40
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JULY 2026
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Foothills Memory Café July 3, 2 to 3 p.m. Landrum Library 111 E. Asbury Dr., Landrum
JULY 4, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 63rd Annual Fabulous 4th of July Celebration Downtown Columbus
Summer Tracks Concert Series presents Firecracker Jazz Band July 3, 7 p.m. Rogers Park, Tryon Saturday Night Lights July 4, 5 to 8 p.m. Tryon International 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring
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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS
Top of the Grade Concert Series presents Bob Sinclair & Big Deals July 10, 7 p.m. McCreery Park, Saluda
JULY 16-19, 7:30 p.m. Tryon Little Theater presents Newsies, Jr. – Children’s Summer Show Tryon Fine Arts Center 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon
JULY 11, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Coon Dog Day Downtown Saluda Landrum Farmers Market Peach Festival July 11, 8 a.m. to noon Landrum Farmers Market 221 W. Rutherford St., Landrum
Saturday Night Lights July 11, 5 to 8 p.m. Tryon International 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring
JULY 17, 7 p.m. Summer Tracks Concert Series presents Lillie Syracuse Rogers Park, Tryon
Foothills Chamber Business After Hours July 16, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Stubborn Mule Restaurant & Brewery 501 N. Howard Ave., Landrum
Conserving Carolina Speaker Series: Amazing Birds of Prey July 17, 10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Walnut Creek Preserve, Mill Spring
Sculptural Mugs Workshop July 17-18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tryon Arts & Crafts School 373 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon
“Christmas in July” Kids Makers Market July 18, 9:00 a.m. to noon Harmon Field, Tryon Fourth Friday Event July 24, 5 to 7 p.m. Downtown Tryon Music at the Market presents Silver Travis Band July 25, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Landrum Farmers Market Pavilion, Landrum JULY 2026
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The Grand Prix is the crowning evening of the Saturday Night Lights program. (Photo courtesy of Rette Solomon, Tryon International.)
Saturday Night Lights is More than Just Horses
Kenidee McCormick from Virginia Beach gives Strictly Business some cuddles after competing earlier in the day in the horseshow competition that takes place all week. 12
LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS
Photos by Mark Levin
T
ryon International combines the energy of a street festival with the sheer athleticism of top riders and their horses in an enjoyable evening of entertainment. Excitement abounds as you enter the main plaza and are instantly greeted by a myriad of street performers, including bubble masters, jugglers, balloon twisters, and stilt walkers. Stroll a few feet, and you’ll hear the band belting out some favorite tunes. The carousel is revolving, and vendors are open on both Vendor Promenade and in the plaza. Kids can get their faces painted, try their skill on the mechanical bull, and everyone can enjoy this special event that takes place several Saturday evenings in the spring, summer, and fall. Between the on-site restaurants and the pop-up food vendors, visitors will find exactly what they’re looking for. Every Saturday is a bit different from the one before, but they all end with the Grand Prix at Tryon Stadium. There is a $10 parking fee for these events, but once inside…the entertainment is free.
John and Colleen, part of Tryon International’s security team, are all smiles as they welcome guests.
Emma Gregory, staff member with Foothills Humane Society Shelter, shows off Boo – an adoptable dog from the shelter’s new cabin space on the Vendors Promenade. Each week during show season they’ll have dogs and cats ready for their new homes.
Tryon International also has an arcade on-site with a variety of games. It’s a favorite thing for the younger visitors as well as their parents.
Naviya, Casey, and Terri are busy ladies in Bonne Bouche Fine Chocolates, the onsite chocolate (and more) store on Vendors Row. JULY 2026
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It’s a different world as you enter the main plaza. Shawna and Ole have their caricatures’ created by artist Ron Brooks. It’s free!
Natasha and Shawn Toney from Hendersonville enjoy a special “low country boil” dinner offered during several of the SNL evenings. Margarita Halikias-Pierre (mom) and daughter, Ava, from Clover, SC were glad they could bring Koda along. Tryon International is dog (and kid) friendly.
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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS
On some of the SNL evenings, a DJ kicks off additional entertainment in the Silver Spoon Saloon including line dancing. It’s a crowd pleaser. (Photo courtesy of Rette Solomon, Tryon International.)
The Horner sisters from Taylors, SC take the jumps on their hobby horses. They’re preparing for future Grand Prix competitions.
Check out the live-action photo booth. This family stands on a platform while a camera twirls 360degrees around them catching their dance moves.
JULY 2026
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Mill Spring Farm Store
Connecting local farmers, food producers and neighbors
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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS
Story and photography by Kirk Gollwitzer Additional photos submitted
W
hen I moved to Polk County nearly 20 years ago, one of the first things that impressed me was the local food culture. I was fascinated by the farmers’ markets, roadside produce stands, and the pride local people took in knowing where their food came from. Fresh eggs were not simply eggs. Beef was not simply beef. Behind every product was a farmer, a family, and a story. At one point, I even coined my own phrase, “Polk Fresh,” thinking it would make a fitting slogan for the county’s
agricultural community. The phrase never caught on, but the sentiment never left me. Recently, while sitting inside the Mill Spring Farm Store with owner Reda Harvey and local food advocate Cinda Austin, I heard a phrase that immediately caught my attention. Food desert. Most people associate food deserts with large cities. The term describes areas where residents have limited access to fresh food and must travel significant distances to find it. Yet Austin pointed out that portions of rural communities can face the same challenge. That observation made me look at the Mill Spring Farm Store in an entirely different light. The store is not simply a place to buy
groceries. It is part of a local ecosystem connecting farmers, food producers, and consumers while helping preserve a way of life that has long defined Polk County. For Harvey, the journey began more than a decade ago. After spending many years managing restaurants, she was ready for a change. At the time, her hobby was making homemade candy, which she sold through the original farm store operating at the Mill Spring Agricultural Center. When an opportunity arose to take over the business, she seized it. Today, Harvey has operated the store for 13 years and spent the last seven years at its current location overlooking White Oak Mountain.
“I just thought it was something to fill my time and my interests and put great food on my table,” Harvey said. Instead, it became much more. JULY 2026
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Tesha’s Organic Cookies are among the locally made specialty items available at the Mill Spring Farm Store.
Reda Harvey, left, and Atley Elliott unpack locally raised beef inside the Mill Spring Farm Store.
Welcome back scan code for visitors information
www.pearsonsfallsandglen.org 18
LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS
“It has been a tremendous blessing to get to meet so many people in the community and make friends. We’ve just gotten to know people through this store. It’s been awesome.” The store carries an impressive variety of products. Local eggs, grassfed beef, pork, dairy products, cheeses, seasonal vegetables, and specialty foods fill the shelves. Fresh seafood arrives weekly from the North Carolina coast through a relationship Harvey established nearly a decade ago after a supplier walked into her store and proposed bringing fresh seafood to Polk County. The result is something many residents appreciate: a place where they can purchase quality food without having to drive long distances. But the products themselves are only part of the story. The real story is the people who produce them. One of those people is Cinda Austin. Many local residents know Austin through Twisted Fork Catering, farmers’ markets, and community events. For years, she has worked closely with Harvey, helping market products and tell the stories behind the people who make them. Austin believes one of the Farm Store’s greatest strengths is that it gives local producers a year-round marketplace. Farmers’ markets can be wonderful, but they are often seasonal and weather-dependent. A baker may spend days preparing products only to have a rainy Saturday dramatically reduce attendance. A farmer can harvest produce only to discover there are fewer customers than expected.
Local honey is displayed inside the Mill Spring Farm Store.
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The Mill Spring Farm Store serves as a year-round marketplace for locally sourced foods in Mill Spring.
The Farm Store offers consistency. “It represents people under one roof, so it’s a year-round market,” Austin said. That consistency helps small producers survive. Austin pointed to her family’s pound cake business as an example. Her brother and sister-in-law spent years building a loyal following at area farmers’ markets before she eventually continued the family tradition by bringing those products to the store. Similar stories can be found throughout the building. Behind the jars of preserves, specialty foods, baked goods, and locally sourced products are individuals who often work quietly behind the scenes while pursuing a passion that is equal parts business and labor of love. That relationship between producer and retailer is perhaps best illustrated by another of Harvey’s longtime suppliers. Just down the road sits Caitlyn Farms Sustainably Raised Beef. The operation encompasses approximately 600 acres and combines cattle production with wildlife conservation and habitat restoration. Atley Elliott serves as the farm’s biologist and wildlife manager, helping oversee both the beef operation and the White Oak Creek Wildlife Management Area. Depending on the season, the farm maintains between 115 and 125 head of cattle while simultaneously managing native grasslands and wildlife habitat. What surprised me most was learning that Caitlyn Farms was not named after a family member or founder. It was named after a beloved dog. 20 20
LIFE LIFE IN IN OUR OUR FOOTHILLS FOOTHILLS
Caitlyn belonged to owners Joe and Cindy Mitchell and became such an important part of life on the farm that her name eventually became the farm’s identity. Her image still appears on the farm’s signage. Elliott laughed as she described Caitlyn’s daily walks around the property and the trails employees maintained for her. The story may seem small, but it reveals something important about local agriculture. These operations are personal, built around families, relationships, and a deep attachment to the land. Elliott also revealed another surprising detail: Harvey was one of Caitlyn Farms’ very first customers. “Reda was the first person we ever sold to,” Elliott said. “She was the first person selling our beef.” Today, the Farm Store remains one of the farm’s largest outlets. For Elliott, that relationship is built on trust. Many customers have never visited the farm.
They may not know the Mitchell family personally. But they know Harvey, and they trust her commitment to quality. And through that trust, they become connected to the people raising their food. That connection is one reason Caitlyn Farms has resisted the temptation to grow too quickly. Unlike large-scale operations focused solely on production, the farm places significant emphasis on conservation. “We don’t want to ruin our land and wildlife in the name of overproduction,” Elliott said. That statement perfectly captured another theme that surfaced repeatedly during our conversations. Sustainability. The word is often associated with environmental practices, but Harvey and Austin offered a broader definition. Sustainability also means sustaining people, local farms, small businesses, and local economies.
Seasonal produce, including several varieties of sweet potatoes, is displayed at the Mill Spring Farm Store.
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Reda Harvey, left, and Cinda Austin stand outside the Mill Spring Farm Store in Mill Spring. Atley Elliott of Caitlyn Farms sits inside the Mill Spring Farm Store.
Cattle graze in a winter pasture at Caitlyn Farms, one of the local producers connected to the Mill Spring Farm Store. (Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Farms)
“When you buy product that was made in your county, that money stays in your county,” Harvey said. “These are your neighbors.” That idea may be one of the most important lessons hidden within the shelves of the Farm Store. Every purchase has a ripple effect. A carton of eggs supports a local farmer. A pound of ground beef supports a local ranch. A pound cake supports a local family business. The money circulates through the community rather than disappearing into a distant corporate headquarters. For rural communities, that matters. The future of local agriculture is not guaranteed. Harvey has watched many longtime farmers retire or pass away. Land prices continue to rise. Young people interested in farming often struggle 22
LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS
to acquire land or survive the inevitable setbacks that come with agriculture. Yet Harvey remains optimistic. One encouraging trend is the arrival of younger producers who are choosing farming as a career. Elliott represents that new generation. Raised around cattle and now combining practical experience with scientific training in biology, wildlife management, and conservation, she sees agriculture not simply as a business but as stewardship. That combination may prove essential for the future. As our conversation wound down, I looked around the store as customers came and went. Neighbors greeted one another, conversations started in the aisles, and people exchanged stories along with purchases. At that moment, it became clear that the Farm Store’s greatest product might not be eggs, beef, vegetables, or seafood.
Its greatest product may be community itself. Harvey describes the store as a place where people gather, where friends unexpectedly meet and where conversations happen naturally. That role is difficult to measure on a balance sheet. Yet it may be the very thing that makes places like this indispensable. The Mill Spring Farm Store certainly sells food. But after spending time with the people who stock its shelves, raise its products and support its mission, it seems clear that the store is offering something else as well. A reminder that community is still alive. And that may be the freshest thing of all.
Mill Spring Farm Store 82 NC-9, Mill Spring (828) 894-8028
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Carving Conservation Dale Weiler Finds Purpose in Stone and Wildlife
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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS
Woods and Weiler by his “Two Pigeons on a Train Track” sculpture at the fountain located in St. Luke’s Plaza.
By Storme Smith
D
ale Weiler believes he was born to sculpt stone, and after speaking with him about his work, it’s easy to see. “Sculpting stone nurtures my soul and allows me to create something in which I can truly take pride,” Weiler said. “Plain and simple, it’s what I was put on this earth to do.” If you’ve walked by the fountain in downtown Tryon at St. Luke’s Plaza, you have seen Weiler’s work. The two pigeons on a railroad track have become a signature piece of art in the Foothills area, and for more than two decades, his calling has driven him to become one of the nation’s most respected wildlife sculptors. His work can be found in museums, conservation centers, and private collections across the country, and his sculptures have earned him membership in some of the most prestigious art organizations in America. Yet for Weiler, artistic recognition has become secondary to a larger purpose: protecting wildlife and preserving the natural world through art. Together with his wife, conservation advocate Loti Woods, Weiler has dedicated much of his time, energy, and artistic talent to supporting wildlife conservation efforts through their non-profit Champions for Wildlife. Their mission is straightforward but ambitious: use art to raise awareness, inspire action, and generate funding for programs that protect animals and their habitats. The path to that mission began long before Weiler ever picked up a chisel. Born into a family where art and nature were inseparable, Weiler spent his childhood immersed in both. His father, Milton C. Weiler, was a respected wildlife artist whose illustrations appeared in outdoor magazines, books, and sporting publications. Although art helped define the family’s life, it was the outdoors that shaped many of Dale’s earliest memories. Family summers were spent traveling across the country, camp-
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The tools of his trade.
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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS
ing, fly fishing, and exploring rivers, lakes, and forests. While other children spent vacations at amusement parks, Weiler was learning to read streams, observe wildlife, and appreciate the subtle details of the natural world. Those experiences would later become the foundation of his artistic vision. Ironically, despite his own success as an artist, Milton Weiler discouraged his children from pursuing art as a profession. He knew firsthand how difficult it could be to make a living through creative work and encouraged his children to seek more stable careers. Dale listened. He pursued engineering, earned advanced degrees, and served as a naval aviator during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he built a successful career in technology consulting, working with advanced technologies and companies around the world. The work was challeng-
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Weiler specializes in stone sculptures of native wildlife.
ing and financially rewarding, but something was missing. Art remained in the background, waiting. The turning point came while Weiler and his late wife, Annie, were living in Maine. Recognizing that her husband needed a creative outlet, Annie enrolled him in a stone sculpting class. The decision changed his life. “As soon as my hands touched stone, I knew this is what I was supposed to be doing,” Weiler recalled. Unlike clay, bronze or wood, stone demands commitment. It is a subtractive medium, meaning every cut permanently removes material. Mistakes cannot simply be patched over or reworked. Every decision matters. For Weiler, that challenge became part of the appeal. Over the years, he developed a process that relies as much on observation as technique. Rather than forcing a design onto a block of stone, he studies each piece carefully, looking for shapes, colors and textures that suggest what may already be hidden inside. Sometimes he sees the curve of a fish. Other times the profile of a bird or the contours of a salamander. Once the image emerges, the work begins. He often describes the process as a collaboration between artist and stone. The results have earned national acclaim. Today, Weiler is an elected member of the National Sculpture Society, the Society of Animal Artists, Artists for Conservation and the American Society of Marine Artists. His sculptures reside
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in the permanent collections of institutions including Brookgreen Gardens, the Ward Museum, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. His work is known for its remarkable ability to capture both the physical form and spirit of wildlife. Whether sculpting an owl, red wolf, a river otter or a salamander, Weiler strives to create pieces that encourage viewers to slow down, observe and connect with the natural world. That connection eventually led him toward conservation. “As my art form and mindset continue to evolve, I am now entering a new chapter in my artistic pursuits,” Weiler said. “Immersing myself in the art world has given me the opportunity to more intimately appreciate the delicate balance that exists between the environment and all living things, especially species that are endangered.” As that awareness grew, so did his desire to make a difference. Together, Weiler and Woods made a conscious decision to focus their efforts on supporting wildlife conservation initiatives. Rather than simply selling artwork, they began using it as a fundraising tool for organizations dedicated to protecting vulnerable species and habitats. The project that helped launch their conservation-focused
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Some of Weiler’s works in progress.
JULY 2026
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approach centered on one of North America’s most endangered predators, the red wolf. Weiler created a large stone sculpture depicting a red wolf and pup, and the couple quickly realized the artwork could become a powerful educational tool. Rather than limiting the piece to a single location, they worked with conservation partners to create durable castings that could be displayed at red wolf breeding facilities and educational centers throughout the Southeast. Eventually, dozens of reproductions were placed at facilities involved in red wolf conservation, including the North Carolina Zoo, Knoxville Zoo, the Western North Carolina Nature Center and other breeding sites. The project demonstrated how art could help visitors connect with an animal they might never see in the wild while supporting efforts to save one of the world’s rarest canids. For Weiler and Woods, the red wolf sculpture became proof that art could serve as both inspiration and a form of conservation action. Today, the net proceeds from Weiler’s sculpture sales are donated to conservation causes. The couple works with organizations including the North Carolina Zoo, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, Conserving CaroAn antique writing desk and periodCenter, artifactsMerlin illustrate the lina, the Western North Carolina Nature Tuttle’s craftsmanship and daily life of Tryon’s earlier residents. Bat Conservation organization and Defenders of Wildlife.
Another project focused on one of the Southeast’s most unusual and misunderstood creatures: the eastern hellbender. His most visible contribution to amphibian conservation may be “Hellbenders Rock,” a life-sized stone sculpture donated to the North Carolina Zoo. The work became such a centerpiece that zoo officials redesigned portions of an exhibit around it. Visitors who might never encounter a hellbender in the wild can now learn about the species through a combination of art, education and conservation messaging. That educational impact is every bit as important as the sculpture itself. Weiler believes art can accomplish something that scientific reports and statistics often cannot. It can create emotional connections. A scientific paper can explain why a species is declining. A sculpture can make someone care. That philosophy continues to guide everything he and Woods do. They view art not simply as decoration or investment, but as a bridge connecting people to wildlife. Every sculpture becomes an opportunity to tell a story. Every sale becomes a chance to support conservation work. Every exhibit becomes an invitation for people to look more closely at the natural world around them.
Jacksons Grove UMC Come find your home church, in the wildwoods All are welcome COME AS YOU ARE 2842 N Pacolet Rd, Landrum
864-510-3199
Sunday school - 8:30 am Traditional service - 9:30 am 30
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Looking ahead, the couple plans to continue expanding their efforts through new conservation partnerships, educational initiatives and sculpture projects. Their goal is not only to raise money for wildlife causes but also to inspire a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things. For Weiler, the mission remains rooted in the same sense of wonder that began during childhood summers spent exploring streams and forests with his family. Whether he is carving a snowy owl, a trout, or a hellbender, he approaches each piece with the same belief: that art has the power to inspire people to protect what they love. In a world where habitat loss, climate change, and declining wildlife populations continue to threaten countless species, Weiler hopes his sculptures encourage people to pause, observe and reconnect with nature. Every block of stone contains a hidden form waiting to be revealed. Through patience, skill and vision, Weiler brings those forms to life. And in doing so, he is helping to ensure that the wildlife that inspires his work will still have a place in the world for generations to come.
Weiler stands by a cast of his Red Wolf sculpture.
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Drawing through the Darkness
Artist Lance Footer 32
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Story and Photography by Storme Smith
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very morning, Lance Footer settles into a routine that has helped define much of his life. He spends time working digitally before heading downstairs to his home just outside Landrum, where he draws traditionally at his kitchen table. The morning sunlight gives him the best chance to work comfortably, something most artists never have to think about. Footer is legally blind, yet he has spent decades building a career as an artist. He creates comic book covers, sketch cards, commissions, and original artwork while working around limitations that would stop many people from ever picking up a pencil. To him, however, art has never been optional. “Nobody ever picks up on the whole eye problem thing,” he says. The irony is hard to miss. Footer's business is called Low Vision Studio, but many people who buy his artwork never realize the name refers to the artist himself. They see the finished drawings and assume the person behind them sees the world much like they do.
Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Footer entered life with optic atrophy. His vision was already impaired, but a childhood accident made the condition far worse. When he was about four years old, he drank Brasso, a brass-cleaning solution that caught his attention because of its bright colors. The poison damaged his optic nerves and permanently affected his vision. It also left him without a sense of smell or taste. More than fifty years later, those effects remain part of his daily life. “So when the poison came back out, it basically deteriorated my optic nerve on the way out,” he explains. Drawing became his escape long before he understood how different his eyesight was from everyone else's. He began drawing at around three years old and rarely went anywhere without a pen and paper. Even as a child, art felt like the one thing that always made sense. JULY 2026
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This is something personally love it’s to treatAbsolutely! TMJI pain—whether jaw because tightness,it gives migraine sufferers lasting relief! In fact, the use of clicking, headaches, ear pain, or just a constant ache, acupuncture for migraine sufferers, as well as the research beup exhausting. byand tension, inflammation, tocan back its successCaused is robust growing. Traditional or misalignment of the jawa joint, can be Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers holisticTMJ approach to migraine reliefuncomfortable—making by addressing the root cause and promoting incredibly it hard to talk, overall balance in the body. It uses a multifaceted eat, or even relax. Many people struggle for months approach including acupuncture, herbal medicine, or years before finding a solution. Acupuncture an dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes. Clinical istrials effective, show drug-free way to manage thisthe challenging consistently that acupuncture reduces frequency, duration, and Finding intensity of migraines withown significant benefits condition. relief for my TMJ pain is over conventional treatments, including pharmaceuticals.
what first led me to acupuncture. The difference it
The mechanisms behind acupuncture’s effectiveness in made in my life was so profound that it inspired me treating migraines has identified several pathways:
to become an acupuncturist and help others find the
Q
1. Endorphin Release: Acupuncture stimulates the release kind ofwhich healing. ofsame endorphins, are natural painkillers produced by the body. These chemicals help reduce pain perception Here’s how it works: and provide relief from migraine headaches.
Inflammation – By stimulating 2.•Reduces Neurotransmitter Regulation: Studies specific show thatpoints, acupuncture influences the levels of various acupuncture helps trigger anti-inflammatory neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. By responses in the body, reducing swelling and modulating these chemical messengers, acupuncture can easingmood joint and irritation. stabilize reduce migraine frequency as well as prevent the onset of recurrent migraines.
: I’ve I’ve been hearddealing of with TMJ pain for a people using acupuncture •Calms Jaw Muscle Tension – Tight jaw, neck, and while and can’t seem to Anti-Inflammatory Acupuncture reduces muscles oftenEffects: drive TMJ pain. Acupuncture for HowCan can it 3.thefacial levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which findmigraines. lasting relief. targets these trigger points, helping muscles relax are involved in the development of migraines. This provide relief?help? acupuncture and restoring natural jaw movement.
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reduction in inflammation can help prevent and brings alleviate •Boosts Blood Flow – Increased circulation migraine attacks.and nutrients to the area, speeding fresh oxygen
4.healing Improved Flow: Acupuncture enhances blood andBlood reducing pain. circulation which can prevent the vascular changes •Calms the and Nervous System – Stress is a that majorare (constriction dilation of blood vessels) trigger forwith jawmigraine clenching and grinding. Acupuncture associated pain.
balanceNervous the nervous system, reducingMigraines stress 5.helps Autonomic System Modulation: andoften preventing are linked toflare-ups. dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system. Acupuncture has been shown to modulate this •Supports Long-Term Relief – Unlike temporary system, reducing stress and promoting relaxation, which fixes like pain medication mouth guards, regular can help prevent the onset of or migraines. acupuncture sessions address the root causes
The diagnostic lens of Chinese medicine looks at migraines of TMJ pain, helping prevent recurrences and differently than conventional medicine and offers a improving overall jawapproach health. to migraine treatment. unique, individualized Acupuncture can treat types of migraines however they If you’re seeking a all natural, non-invasive solution, present. I would recommend any migraine sufferer to seek acupuncture offers a holistic, evidence-based out an acupuncture practitioner and get some relief.
solution for TMJ pain.
His grandmother saved nearly everything he drew. Looking through those old sketches today reveals signs of the artist he would become. One drawing of a squirrel even included a shadow beneath the animal, a detail that surprised the adults around him. “What little kid thinks about a squirrel’s shadow?” Like many children of his generation, Footer became fascinated with Snoopy and the Peanuts characters. Sitting close to the television, he studied the drawings and recreated them over and over again. Decades later, he still credits those characters with helping develop his artistic instincts. “I can sit here right now and draw Snoopy with my eyes closed,” he adds. School was not always easy. Large-print books made him stand out from his classmates, and the attention often led to teasing. Art became a refuge from the frustrations that came with being visually impaired. Despite those challenges, his talent attracted attention. While in high school, he entered a regional portfolio competition and finished among the top ten young artists in New England. The recognition led to trips to Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, where he spent Saturdays studying professional artists. JULY 2026
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For a period of time, Footer found himself without a permanent home. He moved between Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and New Jersey, relying on friends and relatives for places to stay. The experience was difficult, but it also taught him resilience. “I was homeless for two years,” he says. Eventually, life brought him South. A relationship led him to South Carolina, where he settled in the Upstate. Although that relationship ended, the move ultimately changed the course of his life. Afterward, he met his wife, Ola, through a blind date. The story still makes him laugh because of the obvious irony. The couple has now spent decades together and raised a daughter while building a life in the Greenville area. Throughout all those changes, art remained a constant. By the mid-1980s, Footer was already earning money through his work. His T-shirt designs appeared in stores across the country and even reached military personnel overseas during Desert Storm. Success as an artist did not prevent personal struggles. Footer battled depression, alcoholism and declining health for years. Eventually, his weight climbed above 300 pounds and he found himself approaching diabetes.
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“Feeling sorry for yourself because you’re disabled…I was drinking and an alcoholic and going down that hill,” he points out. A bicycle race in Greenville changed everything. Footer attended the event simply to take photographs, but he became fascinated by adaptive athletes competing in hand cycles and tandem bicycles. Watching those competitors opened his eyes to possibilities he had never considered. The more questions he asked, the more interested he became. Conversations with adaptive cycling officials eventually led to an invitation to attend a development camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. “We had to refinance the house just to chase Olympic dreams.” Training transformed his life. Footer lost 160 pounds and became one of the nation's top visually impaired cyclists. Tandem racing pairs a visually impaired athlete with a sighted pilot. Footer quickly discovered he could compete at a high level. His first national championship came after stepping in as a substitute rider during a competition. That victory was only the beginning. Footer went on to win three national championships and earn state titles in both North Carolina and South Carolina. At one point, he ranked ninth in the world and found himself in contention for a Paralympic team spot.
With over 500 rented spaces, the Tryon Antique Mall & Marketplace makes the perfect shopping experience. We are a one stop shop for all! We offer vintage, antique, and primitive items, and much more! Some of the retailers available in the mall include Wet-It, Danica Designs, RADA, Umgee, Smoky Mountain Roasters, and Skinny Syrups, along with many more!
JULY 2026
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“My jerseys are still on my wall. My wife won’t let me take them down,” Footer says. Art was waiting when he returned. Footer's path into comics began in an unexpected place. While working as an artist, he started creating custom paint jobs and illustrations on bicycle helmets, combining his love of art with his growing involvement in the cycling community. The detailed designs attracted attention and eventually led to conversations with other artists, collectors, and convention organizers who encouraged him to pursue comic-related work. As he began attending conventions, Footer discovered there was a market for his style and storytelling ability. What started with custom artwork on helmets evolved into sketch covers, trading cards, and commissioned comic art, opening the door to opportunities with publishers and licensed properties. Before long, the artist who had spent years designing T-shirts and racing bicycles found himself building a new career in the comic industry. Comic conventions introduced him to collectors, publishers, and fellow artists who encouraged him to share his work with a wider audience. Today, Footer creates sketch covers, commissions, and trading cards for collectors and publishers. At home, his service dog Pluto remains close while he works. For Lance Footer, blindness is only one part of the story. From a visually impaired child in Massachusetts to a nationally ranked athlete and professional artist, he has spent a lifetime proving expectations wrong. “I’ll always draw. Every time I stop, something pulls me back,” he says.
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A Thing for Ting
Ting’s first week in a large pasture after quarantine 40 40
LIFE LIFE IN IN OUR OUR FOOTHILLS FOOTHILLS
By Pebbles
S
ometimes you know instantly what to do. Most of the time, I contemplate a decision. Should I graze under the oaks today or stand under the towering old pines and watch the world go by me? Is getting muddy worth the repercussions of a soapy bath? Am I still the fairest of them all among the mares that reside here at HERD rescue? One recent decision required no time for me to ponder. There was a long yearling Dutch Harness filly in a kill pen tagged for direct shipment to Mexico. Her sire was there with her. His registered name was A.G. Superman. At age 15, he was there bound for slaughter because he had a conformation flaw that he passed on to his young daughter. Superman rode well under saddle and was a driving horse and breeding stallion for an Amish family. That was until he sired a foal that carried on his flaw; his one clubfoot manifested into four on his offspring. The family that owned them both discarded them at a horse auction near their Kentucky home. Now the two were destined to be shipped quickly to Mexico to be butchered. Unfortunately, we are not equipped with fencing to contain a large breeding stallion. However, we could make room for a skinny filly. This sweet-eyed youngster pranced around gracefully in her paddock despite her malformed hooves. Based on the shape of her feet, it is probable that she had never been trimmed by a farrier. I made the call. Let’s save her and bring her into our care. Clearly, I had a thing for this filly we would name Ting. When HERD was first founded, a young lady in Campobello, S.C., named Ting Oliver was active with our rescue, along with her parents, Christian and Kim Oliver. Ting adopted a beautiful black colt we rescued from a kill lot. She named him Stanley, and he is one of the most talented ponies we have ever saved. Stanley matured to be a major champion show pony in North Carolina, even making it to the Kentucky pony finals. Her name, Ting, made an impression on me when I first heard it. It is Chinese in origin and can be used for both boys and girls. As a Chinese name, Ting (婷) has a beautiful and gentle meaning, often associated with grace, elegance, and beauty. It is frequently used to describe a woman who is slender, graceful, and pleasing to the eye.
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JULY 2026
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Ting two months after being rescued with volunteer Bill McClelland
VOTED #1 CHIROPRACTOR FOUR YEARS IN A ROW GO AFTER LIFE BEYOND PAIN & SYMPTOMS DR. CLAY BAKER | 828.859.5055 1053 S TRADE ST. TRYON, NC
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LIFE IN OUR FOOTHILLS
Ting’s malformed hooves being trimmed by the farrier upon her arrival
Ting Oliver is all of those things, and I have high hopes that our equine Ting will follow suit and be lovely. She floats when she moves at the trot. Another parallel thought came to me immediately when bestowing a Chinese name on this slender black horse with tiny feet. There was the ancient practice of foot binding in China, which created small, delicate feet seen as a symbol of beauty and status. This practice began in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Girls’ feet were tightly bound from age five or six onward. This painfully involved breaking toes and the arch to achieve a “Lotus” shape associated with feminine beauty to enhance marriage prospects. Thankfully, this practice was officially banned in the late 20th century.
Photo courtesy Christine Holm-Wellmon
A special needs equine sanctuary in the foothills of North Carolina.
385 Blackwood Road, Columbus, NC 828.863.2017 | sanctuary@redbellrun.org redbellrun.org | 501(c)3 EIN 82-3733987
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Stanley as a champion show pony after his adoption from HERD
Upon arrival, the downtrodden Ting was thin and exhausted from the journey. Her neck was marred with a huge, infected lesion. The flesh was literally hanging from her like wet drapery. The shy horse let my mistress, Heather Freeman, clean the painful, deep wound. It measured five by five inches of angry, infected tissue. Treatment involved oral antibiotics, cleaning the area with iodine solution, and trimming off the dying flesh. Next, it was dressed with Manuka honey. The vet surmised it would take a month or more to heal and close properly. Ting might also have a scar; time would tell. Ting’s little upright feet were so badly neglected. The two worst hooves forced her to stand on the tip of her toes. She could not stand flat-footed on level ground, which put a lot of stress on her contracted tendons. Our HERD farrier was summoned immediately to help Ting get some relief. She would require trimming every two to three weeks, gradually changing her hoof angles to lower her steep heels so she could stand normally. This process had to be done slowly.
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Ting being cared for by Heather Freeman while in quarantine
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Ting stayed in our quarantine paddock with a private run-in shed not far from the barn. I could keep an eye on her here. She was so lonely, yet relished her alfalfa hay and three small-grain meals a day. Ting called out to me occasionally, across the 60-foot distance, asking for some conversation to help her bide the time in isolation. In fact, Ting was so starved for attention that she became glued to Heather. She knickered to her when she saw her walking across the driveway. Ting was also stoic about having her wound cleaned and the bandages changed. She also loved having her thin body brushed, removing large clumps of her poor coat, which was plagued by rain rot and lice in her mane. Every visit to Ting’s paddock was a labor of love to help this filly. The effort paid off. Within a month, she had a blossoming black coat. Her sharp hip bones and
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Sunday Worship • 10:30 a.m. 430 Harmon Field Road
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ribs were disappearing, and the wound was now the size of a dime, healing cleanly. It was time to let Ting have some fun and be with a friend. Young mare Malabar was chosen as the best companion for Ting because they were similar in size and age. They even look a bit alike from a distance. Heather led Ting over, and the young beauties gave each other a good chase around the pasture. Malabar, who is age two, established herself as the boss. Ting galloped around with her tail held high. To watch her is pure delight. I must applaud my good judgment in helping this filly. We all have a thing for sweet Ting.
Stanley with Dr. Bibi Freer and Ting Oliver in HERD care
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ADVERTISER INDEX AdventHealth Polk AlignLife of Tryon Ashworth Financial Bowen Insurance and Financial Caregiver Connections Carruth Furniture Cason Builders Clayton Tile Clover Acupuncture Congregational Church of Tryon Creekside Aesthetics Dr. Jonathan Lowry Dusenbury Insurance Earth and Soul Adventures Elm & Owl Gallery Feagan Harrelson
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Red Bell Run 43 Rosecrest 47 Rutherford Regional Health System 48 Strauss Attorneys 25 Stubborn Mule Restaurant and Brewery 30 The Hospital Foundation 46 Tryon Antique Mall 37 Tryon Builders 9 Tryon Estates 28 Tryon Fine Arts Center 52 Tryon Garden Club 18 Tryon International 50 Tryon Painters & Sculptors 46 Tryon Presbyterian Church 46 White Oak Village 36
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