At the annual meeting of the Tryon Garden Club held May 18 at Beth Laughridge’s home, the slate of new officers for 2016-2017 was elected.

The officers are Donna Southworth, president; Gayle Lane, treasurer; Jackie Weedon, secretary; Miriam Wray, vice president of development; Beth Rounds, vice president of marketing and member services; Bob Tobey, Pearson’s Falls and Glen chairperson; Eva Pratt, program chairperson; Heidi Shull, education chairperson; Jackie Burke and Sandy Sammons, civic beautification co-chairpersons; Linda Lovelace and Dee Black, hospitality co-chairpersons; Susan Kelley, past-president and advisor; Joy Soderquist, archivist; Annie Ewing, Pearson’s Falls education; and Lucy Brannon, publicity chairperson.

Since 2006, the Tryon Garden Club has been a 502(c)(3) charitable organization. This year the club will celebrate 85 years of stewardship of Pearson’s Falls and Glen. Our recent push to upgrade the overall safety, improve the trails and picnic facility, and install a composting bathroom has been accomplished with dedicated members and the assistance of current Operations Manager Andy Ruff and Gate Attendant Gene Justice.

The club is currently offering docent programs of guided walks at Pearson’s Falls and Glen.

In addition to operating Pearson’s Falls, the Garden Club maintains the Depot Garden, presents programs of interest open to the public at their monthly meetings, and offers nature walks in spring and fall.

Also at the annual meeting President Donna Southworth presented Andy Ruff, Pearson’s Falls and Glen’s operation manager, an award of appreciation for service above and beyond being the caretaker of Pearson’s Falls during the snowstorm of January 2016.

After the presentation, Andy explained the event. A Cuban family speaking almost no English was returning from Tennessee to Miami, Fla. via I-26. When they got to the Saluda exit, I-26 was closed due to an accident in the heavy snow. Using their GPS the family got off and tried to go south on Highway 176, but 176 was closed due to the rockslide.

They then tried Pearson’s Falls Road only to find the car and themselves in a snow bank. The lone house where they could solicit help was the Pearson’s Falls caretaker’s cottage. The event started about 2 p.m., and ended about 8 p.m. Andy fed the children, found the family lodging in Saluda, and contacted the Saluda Fire Department, whose members rescued the family, took them to Saluda and returned the next day to help them retrieve their car and go on their way.

The club has employed Andy Ruff at Pearson’s Falls since April 2014.

For those interested in the Tryon Garden Club please write to P.O. Box 245, Tryon, NC 28782, Attn: Donna Southworth. Pearson’s Falls is located at 2748 Pearson Falls Rd, Saluda, NC, 28773. Take Highway 176 N from Tryon about four miles. Watch for signs for the turn to Pearson’s Falls on your left.

– article submitted
by Lucy Brannon