In short, the printed record seems to urge that Tryon’s motto owes much to then Tryon Mayor E.E. Missildine, also owner of Missildine’s Pharmacy, whose support and enthusiasm for then North Carolina Governor Clyde R. Hoey’s Hospitality Committee did much to foster destination tourism in Tryon.

Missildine’s comments are remarkably perennial even some 77 years later, and the template of Missildine’s text yet serves as a potent reminder of how every citizen plays an important role to help strengthen tourism in Tryon, Polk County and North Carolina.

See reprint below.

Mayor Missildine Urges Friendliness

(Editor’s Note—The Tryon Daily Bulletin in cooperation with the Governor’s Hospitality Committee and Polk County, will publish a series of articles by local officials and civic leaders emphasizing the need for hospitality to visitors.  The first of these articles appears below.)

The city’s hope in the future lies, to a large extent, in the ever-increasing number of visitors, new industries, new residencies, and those seeking to invest in profitable and legitimate enterprises. We have been provided with scenery, climate, and all the natural advantages nature could possibly bestow on a citizenry and a commonwealth. The factor that remains to be decided is, will they be so cordially received, so hospitably treated, that they will like us, and genuinely enjoy being here?

     This question should command the interested attention of every person in Tryon for every person will to a degree be affected by the answer. If we are to live well, be prosperous and happy, we must take full advantage of the opportunity that is ours to bring visitors, seasonal and permanent residents to Tryon.  The one contribution that each citizen can without exception, make to bring about this good result is to be more than casually cordial and hospitable to our visitors.

     One might say, “But I don’t come in contact with visitors.” Perhaps that belief is be because we are conscious of our opportunities to act as hosts—on the streets, in public buildings, in our neighborhoods, and as we go about our regular way. How about the out-of-state automobile just ahead of you, holding you up and the rest of traffic for a moment because the driver is not familiar with the turn, or is uncertain as to the traffic rule? Do you blow your horn impatiently, thus irritating and confusing him inhospitably? Or do you wait in sympathetic understanding for a moment until he solves his problem?

     How about the stranger who stops you on the sidewalk to ask for directions? Do you say that you don’t know the answer: Or do you take the time to tell him clearly if you do know or find out for him if you do not know? And how about that new family that has moved into your neighborhood? Do you call and get acquainted with them; make them feel welcome; make them your friends? If you do not perhaps no one else will either, and they will remain strangers to us all, though they are in our midst.  Whether they will like Tryon, whether they will remain as permanent residents may depend entirely upon you their neighbor.

     If each citizen of Tryon will remember this obligation and opportunity of citizenship to be host to our visitors, then those visitors will return again and again.  They will send their friends, [and] they will advertise Tryon and North Carolina in a way that will increase our tourist business as nothing else can.  Remember that citizenship makes you host!

Submitted by Crys Armbrust