My first week here in Tryon I was contacted by Marc Brady, the general manager of the Tryon Country Club, about the annual Octogenarian Golf Tournament.&bsp;&bsp; It seems the Tryon Daily Bulletin had sponsored the tournament in the past and Marc wanted to know if we were going to keep up the tradition. He said the tournament was open to all men and women, members and nonmembers, who had attained the age of at least 80. It sounded like a great idea, and far be it from me to change the tradition.

After a few delays due to weather, the tournament was held.&bsp; It was a very cool (cold) morning, the kind that makes you want to roll over and pull the covers over your head and go back to sleep until the sun comes out in full force and heats up the place.&bsp; But the games must go on, and these men and Mrs. Barbara Manning braved the weather and came out to play.&bsp; Of course, there was the usual good-natured bantering and ribbing at the end, and a great time was had by all. Thanks to Marc Brady and Dee OBrien, the Tryon Country Club manager, for organizing and making this event possible.

On a recent Sunday night I had the pleasure of attending a benefit concert for the Upstairs Artspace at the Tryon Theatre. Carol Newton, a board member for the Upstairs, first showed me around the 32-year-old non-profit contemporary art gallery located just down the street from the Bulletin. This particular night the exhibit was art works in glass, with many of the pieces produced by leading Southeastern artists. &bsp;

The historic old theatre has a definite charm and that small town feel that welcomes you in with open arms. It was the perfect setting for some local entertainment. First up was The StereoFidelics Chris Padgett and Melissa McGinley. With a high energy intensity and quick pace, this alternative rock band was a real crowd pleaser. &bsp;

They were followed by Wishgrove, a rock band from the mountains of North Carolina. The group writes, records and performs unique original music.&bsp; Rich Nelson is on lead vocals, guitar and keyboards, Mark McCullough is on bass and back-up vocals and Tony Bell plays drums. Toe-tapping, head-bobbing music that I personally enjoyed very much.

Thanks to all for a wonderful week.

Betty Ramsey is the publisher of the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Her email address is betty.ramsey@tryondailybulletin.com