Some say a picture is worth a thousand words. This article consists of four photos. It is a testimony of all the new and exciting things that are going on in our community. The first photo is of the HNG Foundation presenting a grant to Lil’s Thrift Shop to upgrade their ability to reach out to the community and support animal rescue and protection services. The second is the ribbon cutting for the new Beverly Hanks Real Estate Office on Memorial Highway. The third is a shot taken at the opening of the new Friday night Farmer’s Market on the former Keeter property adjacent to the Lake Lure Inn. And the fourth captures the ground breaking of the “Landings of Lake Lure” assisted and independent senior living facility on Buffalo Creek Road near Rumbling Bald.
Lil’s Thrift Shop Board (l to r) Kathy Jack, Karen Donovan, Nanci Baird, Linda Turner and Betty Martinez receives the “BIG” check from Jack Barton and Mary Reitano, HNG Foundation Board members. The grant will be used to build a web site and acquire technology to improve their ability to reach out to the community to support animal rescue and protection across Rutherford County.Shown is the ribbon cutting for the new Beverly Hanks Real Estate office on Memorial Highway.. Wielding the large scissors is Neal Hanks along with Lyn Weaver, Broker-in-Charge, surrounded by other office brokers , family and friends. As they say in the real estate community, “Leave it to Weaver!”This photo is of the new Lake Lure, Friday afternoon Farmer’s Market. In the foreground is Mathew Fariss of Fariss Farm in Greenhill who sold us a dozen “fresh” eggs that were only a couple of days old. In the background is Calvin Harris from Spring Top Ginseng Farm in Union Mills. We bought yellow squash and zucchini that we mixed with chopped onions and served over brown rice with a hamburger steak for a delicious Friday night meal. The market has some twenty vendors selling everything from meat, fish, farm produce, plants, honey, cheese, pottery and even soap. There even is a food truck and music to make an enjoyable strolling and buying experience. Come on out from 3 – 7pm of Friday’s throughout the summer.The local leaders, businesspeople and government officials who attended Thursday’s groundbreaking at the future site of The Landings of Lake Lure included: Lake Lure’s former mayor Bob Keith, The Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge’s Executive Director Laura Doster, Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett, Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce President Teri Coutu, The Landings of Lake Lure’s Senior Director of New Development & Acquisition Operations Debra Richardson, The Landings of Lake Lure’s Senior Project Manager Hunter Trefzger, Former Executive Director of The Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge Tommy Hartzog, Rutherford County Commissioner Allan Toney, The Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge’s Vice President and Treasurer John Anderson, The Landings of Lake Lure’s Vice President of Operations Denis Rainey and The Landings of Lake Lure’s Project Manager Darren Bycura. I would be negligent if I did not recognize Tommy Hartzog for spearheading the effort as the then Director of the Chamber to find and bring this senior living facility to Lake Lure. Although many years ago, Tommy reached out to the Meridian/Affinity organization and, although it took some time, COVID not withstanding, led the effort to make this happen.
