Honorary chairman of the Tryon Beer Fest is Sam Summey. The area’s first-ever event of its type will be held Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tryon Depot Plaza.  In the 1950s if you wanted a bicycle for your child or a fan belt for your car, you went to see Sam Summey at the Western Auto on Trade Street.

In the 1960s if you wanted a beer, you visited Sam’s Place, also on Trade Street. A few years later, if you wanted to stop at a different place, you might have had a beer at Sam’s No. 2 on Maple Street. Your 45-cents was good at either location. Also in the 1960s Summey might have delivered mail to your door. Then in the 70s and 80s Summey was there to help you purchase a stamp at the Tryon Post Office. In 25 years with the USPS, he missed only three days of work. Until 2007, if you wanted your lawn mowed and bushes trimmed, you called Summey.