As Tryon celebrates its 125th birthday, residents Mara and Ford Smith will be introducing two new books.

On Saturday, September 4, the Smiths first booksigning will be held from 12 until 2 p.m. at The Book Shelf. This autograph party will be for the couples first novel, Endangered, a suspense that has been 20 years in the making.

Their second booksigning will also include a winetasting. Held from 4 to 6 p.m. at La Bouteille, wines have been selected from the Smiths new Winning Wines. This 2010-2011 edition of Winning Wines has been updated and expanded to include 537 wines that cost $12 or less.

While living in the Tryon area, Mara and Ford Smith have written two retirement books, The Retirement Sourcebook and 101 Secrets for a Great Retirement available through McGraw-Hill, and an award-winning childrens book, ABC All-American Riddles for Peel Publications.

Together the Smiths photographed for America 24/7. Eighteen of their images were published in North Carolina 24/7. With two other women photographers, Mara made a year-long record of the region. After a successful exhibition at the Upstairs Artspace, the Smiths printed more than 150 of her images in Focus on the Foothills.

During Tryons birthday party, The Book Shelf will feature other Tryon authors, too. The Book Shelf is located at 90 Pacolet Street, across from the post office.

La Bouteille, the wine and beer boutique located at 10 N Trade Street, will present its own craft beer, BottleTree, in addition to hundreds of other beers and wines.