Dogwood Farm Kennels, a new boarding kennel and grooming salon has opened in Green Creek just off Chesnee Road near the Green Creek Volunteer Fire Department Substation.

Wendy Kleiner and Stuart Goldstein have always loved dogs. In their 32 years of marriage, there has always been at least one dog in their family and they currently provide a home for three of their own and one belonging to their oldest son, Joshua and his family.

Both Wendy and Stuart have worked as nurses and nurse practitioners for more than 30 years. Wendy had most recently worked in a large OB/GYN practice while Stuart had worked in management roles at hospice and a home care agency as well as for a national company providing eldercare management to seniors in Florida.

Since living with their family in northern Georgia and Nashville, Tenn., they always dreamed of moving back to the beautiful hills and friendly people of the southeast. So, after raising three boys to three young men, Wendy and Stuart decided it was time for a life change. Their son Joshua, his wife Astrid and their three-year old son Kai decided to come with them to work the kennels and the farm as a family.

Wendy took the first leap by enrolling in a dog grooming academy while Stuart and Joshua stayed in their &dquo;day jobs.&dquo; While Wendy worked at grooming, Stuart investigated opportunities in the dog care world. He also attended special courses as a prep tech, learning about shampoos, conditioners and proper care of dogs&squo; coats and skin. They opened a dog grooming business in Florida while planning their ultimate move.

About two years ago, Wendy and Stuart started looking for the appropriate spot to move with their oldest son, his wife and their son to open a home-based business where everyone in the family could have a role. With the help of Tam Cordingley from the realty group from Rutherfordton, Kennels & Horse Farms, they located a property in Green Creek that they all fell in love with. Then the housing crisis hit.

In spite of that dilemma, the family never lost sight of its dream and were finally able to sell their home, move to Green Creek and open Dogwood Farm Kennels. There they have their home, the oversized kennels with more than an acre of play area just for the dogs, and a grooming shop.

Dogwood Farm Kennels will offer pick-up and drop-off services. Also, they offer a 10 percent discount on all services at all times to all first responders (police, fire, paramedics, etc) and all families of active military members.

You can visit them at www.dfkennels.com or just stop by to see a place &dquo;where dogs are family.&dquo;

As an additional note, Josh&squo;s wife, Astrid, makes handcrafted jewelry under the name &dquo;Inspired by Nature&dquo; and, after successfully showing her designs at the Green Creek Heritage Festival, plans to showcase her designs in an area of the grooming shop that she will use as her studio.

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The Tryon Auction in Lynn has moved its operations to the Old Mill building, and the new T.L.C. Market (Tryon, Lynn, Columbus Market) has moved in to the old auction building across from Benson&squo;s Produce on Hwy. 108.

About two and a half months ago, when the auction moved, Joe Capel had the idea to divide the auction house up, rent out booths and create a thriving market for the Tryon, Lynn and Columbus area. Almost as soon as he could get the booths marked off and the building ready, vendors were already clamoring for spots. The booths were quickly filled to the brim and in order to draw even more attention to the new market, Joe began holding a weekend yard sale and flea market.

The T.L.C. Market offers a variety of items, not just antiques. For instance, while one vendor might be selling great antiques and another unique collectibles, others are selling jewelry, paintings by local artists, stained glass, hand-poured soy wax candles and even custom woven photo products.

Once Joe got the whole operation running smoothly, he passed the baton to Patrick Damato, who will be celebrating with a Grand Opening &squo;color dot&squo; sale throughout the month of October. The T.L.C. Market&squo;s new hours of operation will be Monday and Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Each Saturday and Sunday there will be a flea market/yard sale which is open to anyone who wants to participate, for a minimal fee.

For more information on the T.L.C. Market, feel free to call Patrick Damato at 864-357-6885.

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The Asheville Regional Airport Authority has announced that United Airlines is beginning daily non-stop service to Chicago, IL. Flights from Asheville Regional (AVL) to O&squo;Hare International Airport (ORD) start Dec. 17, on 50-seat CRJ200 regional jet aircraft operated by SkyWest Airlines. &bsp;

The United flights to O&squo;Hare will leave twice daily.

For more information, visit www.flyavl.com.

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Parker&squo;s Place Consignment store managers have announced that they did not receive any merchandise from Isadora&squo;s Closet when Isadora&squo;s closed last month.

Parker&squo;s Place says it is in no way affiliated with Isadora&squo;s Closet and is not responsible for the loss of any personal property associated with the closing of Isadora&squo;s Closet.

The owners of Parker&squo;s Place Consignment store would like to express their sympathy for anyone who lost merchandise or personal property or has experienced any inconvenience associated with the closing of Isadora&squo;s Closet.

Hospice Thrift Barn manager Lindsey Moore reported that he went on Sept. 15, the last day Isadora&squo;s was in business, and picked up three large rolling racks and a round carousel rack with 15 ladies blouses and a girl&squo;s white communion dress that were hanging on the round rack. &bsp;

&dquo;We have those clothes separated and are holding them for folks who might come in looking for certain items,&dquo; Moore said. &bsp;

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Pardee OB/GYN Associates is now offering the IMPLANON the first and only three-year, single rod, implantable contraceptive.

IMPLANON is a flexible plastic rod the size of a matchstick that is put under the skin of your arm. It contains a hormone called etonogestrel. You can use a single IMPLANON rod for up to three years. Because IMPLANON does not contain estrogen, your health care provider may recommend IMPLANON even if you cannot use estrogen. IMPLANON is more than 99 percent effective and most women can&squo;t see IMPLANON after it is inserted.

&dquo;The IMPLANON insertion is a minor procedure that can be performed in the office. The entire procedure is done using a local anesthetic and generally takes only a few minutes,&dquo; said Maridee Spearman, M.D., OB/GYN with Pardee OB/GYN Associates. &dquo;IMPLANON can be removed at any time in the office. It&squo;s a very effective method of birth control and one rod can last up to three years.&dquo;

For more information or to find a physician, call 1-866-790-WELL (9355) or visit www.pardeehospital.org.