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New View Realty and Big Guns Coffee owners receive awards

 

TRYON—Several Tryon residents were recognized at the Tryon Town Council meeting on Tuesday, December 19. 

John and Kathy Toomey of New View Realty were declared Tryon’s Citizens of the Year. Mayor Alan Peoples presented them with a plaque to commemorate their service to the community. 

“This certainly is a surprise. It’s an honor. We like to give back to the community,” John Toomey said. “Kathy says it’s the longest she’s ever lived anywhere. It’s her home, it’s my home, and we love it. There are a lot of great organizations and events here, and we’re happy to give back to it.”  

Peoples also presented Charli Johnson, co-founder of Big Guns Coffee with a plaque commemorating her achievements. Charli and her father, T-Shane Johnson, received the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce Persons of the Year Award on September 23 of this year. 

Big Guns Coffee has partnered with Isothermal Community College to build a 2,300-square-foot hydroponic coffee farm, and the owners recently appeared on Fox and Friends and the Kelly Clarkson Show.

“The town of Tryon takes great pride in declaring that the town honors Charli Johnson for her outstanding achievements and inspiration to the town and Polk County,” declared Mayor Peoples. “She is a shining example of people of all ages, of hard work, entrepreneurial dedication, family, citizenship and community spirit.”