To the editor:

Well my friend, it’s happened once again, the Christmas season has crept up on us!  I always try to remember that December falls between November and January, but every year it seems to surprise me. I love the holiday season because it’s the one time during the year when everyone acts toward each other like they should act the other 11 months of the year.

Here in the Tiny Kingdom many, many folk, both young and not-so-young anymore, give freely of themselves throughout the year in an effort to make life a little more enjoyable for the rest of us. We salute and thank all those who can say, “volunteering is my life.” After all, rumor has it our area is the 501-(c)3 capitol of the USA.

The act of spreading joy by sharing your talent is a learned experience.

The children in our schools learn this from the very beginning of their education.  A fine example of what I’m saying is the ever-changing art display on the windows of the Tiny Kingdom’s Post Office. The youngsters at Tryon Elementary (Ott Sizemore, Principal) do so much more than display their artistic skills; they bring smiles to the faces and add a small spring to the step of those who view their art.

This example of sharing also has a medical benefit! My doctor told me if you don’t smile a little brighter and feel a bit more joy in your heart while admiring this artwork then you may not have a pulse!

Another group of people who help make life more enjoyable for us minions year ‘round are all those wonderful ladies (mostly) in all our garden clubs.  I think I read on the Internet that we have as many garden clubs in the Tiny Kingdom area as we have financial advisors. \

Without these good people the Tiny Kingdom wouldn’t be so green and well kept. A few examples of their contribution can be seen at the “Green Corner” and the tiny plot of ground, now a garden complete with fountain, at the corner of walk and don’t walk (next to the kingdom’s town hall fortress.) This small plot was literally saved from blight a number of years ago by The Green Blades Garden Club.

The kingdom’s No. 1 tourist attraction, Pearson’s Falls, is owned and maintained for all to enjoy by the Tryon Garden Club. Not many know that recently the club installed a timer valve at the falls so the water automatically shuts off when the park closes and comes back on when the park reopens the next day.  (That must be true because I read it on the Internet.)

To all the volunteers who make our lives a bit better in every season of the year, from the garden clubs, to community outreach programs, school students, to Hospice and St. Luke’s Hospital, we say Merry Christmas and thank you!  May your kindness be rewarded many times over.

– John Calure, 

Landrum