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Along the Thermal Belt Rail Trail (TBRT) at mile 8.5 in Spindale are 16 pieces of art by Rutherford County Manager Steve Garrison -- the latest Enhancement and Beautification Project sponsored by Rutherford Bound.
What began several years ago as a hobby, Garrison had to lay down the art pencils in 1999 to concentrate on his career and his family.
But a debilitating health issue in May 2019, followed the next year by Covid-19, Garrison found himself with time to return to the hobby. But for him it was much, much more that art, he told the crowd attending the ribbon cutting ceremony last Tuesday.
"It was my therapy," he said. The drawing provided positive mental health during the tough times. He told the crowd he spent most every Saturday and Sunday morning at home drawing.
Nearly all of his drawings are animals, beginning with his first large cat in 1999 and completed in 2004. He said "therapy began with the cheetah."
An emotional Garrison asked the ceremony crowd, "Who is your encourager" and then thanked his wife Tonya and family for their encouragement. His mother, Annie, and brothers Mike and Terry from Mars Hill, were among those attending.
Garrison said the art display was not to celebrate him, but "to celebrate art" and encouraged others to "explore" their creative abilities."
"The Thermal Belt Rail Trail was built for Rutherford County and people like you are making this happen," Garrison told the leaders.
The enhancement project ceremony was hosted by Rutherford Bound and the Tourism Development Authority (TDA). Partners from RHI Legacy, primary funders of the rail trail, representatives from Meta and Destination by Design, Spindale Mayor Mickey Bland, Rutherfordton Mayor Jimmy Dancy, Spindale Town Manager Scott Weber and Rutherfordton Town Manager Doug Barrick, and County Commissioner Dave Hunt, were among those attending. Rutherford County Traffic Control was on duty to make it possible to have the ribbon cutting just a few feet from the busy US74B.
The unique art stands out as a beautiful feature along the trail, said Elizabeth Randall, assistant coordinator with the Tourism Development Authority. She said the work is a testament to the creativity and commitment of local leaders, making the Thermal Belt Rail Trail an even more special place for the community to enjoy.
Garrison was thanked for bringing his "professional and his private talent to our communities and for being a vital player" in the trail's development and future.
The project is in the area in front of Staley's Pallet, also thanked for their cooperation in the project.
Hundreds of thousands of people have already enjoyed the trail and with the enhancement projects along the way, the trail will continue to bring countless people to Rutherford County, Barrick told the crowd.
During the planning stages of the trail, leaders talked of ways to connect the communities along the more than 13.5 mile trail and enhancement projects are doing that.
Through Rutherford Bound, nine projects have already been completed with 16 more to go, explained Cason. Rutherford Bound is funded through TDA, Rutherford County and the communities of Rutherford, said Don Cason, executive director of the Tourism Development Authority.
The newest Rutherford Bound project ribbon cutting was on Tuesday, Sept. 12, in Spindale at the location of the new skate park.
