There was a woman who lived in Tryon with a vision.

Her name was Callie Smith. Her vision was to take a dry, sun baked, barren corner on Trade Street in this town, and turn it into an oasis for residents and visitors to enjoy. It now is the lovely area called The Park On Trade.

I and many other members of the Green Blades Garden Club had the pleasure of helping Callie create this park. It was a task that, at times, seemed insurmountable for a group of mostly “not so young“ women to accomplish. Along the way, contractors told Callie “it can’t be done.” No, however, wasn’t an answer she accepted easily.

A way to make it happen was found. Dump trucks of soil, balled trees, plants and soil amendments were moved by wheelbarrow around this site. On some days, Callie could be seen with a pickaxe in hand turning the soil to make this land into a place where gardens would grow.

For 11 years now, this has been a place to pause and enjoy the sounds of water in the fountain, birds singing in the trees and the sight of colorful seasonal flowers.

Rain, heat, ice and windstorms, however, have begun to take their toll. Costly items now need to be either repaired or replaced. As the garden club looks at their budget, it is not overflowing with these needed funds.

The park is with us, but our former garden club president, Callie, is not. This summer she lost her many year fight with cancer. However, this lady continues to assist.

She provided funding for the park by asking her estate to donate her possessions to the club for sale. The profits of this sale will be used for the needed renovations.

How can you help in this effort? During a trip to the Shops of Tryon on either Nov. 2 or Nov. 9 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. shoppers can make a purchase of items from Callie’s estate.

There are many beautiful things to choose from, and you may find just the thing you need to take home.

– article submitted by Judy Brubaker