The new yellow and green flags in downtown Spruce Pine flap in the wind. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)
SPRUCE PINE – Those coming into downtown Spruce Pine via the bridge near Ingles will notice a collection of green and yellow flags flapping in the wind on either side of the bridge.
The flags were put into place earlier this month and are part of the ongoing Spruce Pine Main Street beautification efforts.
Main Street Executive Director Libby Phillips said the banners that used to adorn the bridge were good but had to be taken down last year because they were beginning to fade and fall off.
“We hadn’t really come up with another plan,” she said.
Phillips said she wanted to create flags and SPMS design and beautification committee volunteer Emma Cadman volunteered to create and donate a set of flags for the cause.
Cadman, who just started volunteering with SPMS this year, stitched the flags by hand, using yellow and green to match the town’s wayfinding signage color palette.
“We just wanted to try these out and see how they hold up,” Phillips said. “I think they look great but one of our challenges down here with flags and banners is wind. It pretty much demolishes anything we have.”
Phillips said the flags give people a proper greeting as they come into town and added that the work of volunteers like Cadman is invaluable to the organization.
“That’s how our organization works is through volunteers,” she said. “There is one employee in this organization and everything that’s done is either through donations, sponsorships or volunteer skill or hands. Our board is all working volunteers.”
Phillips added that little gestures from volunteers go a long way toward improving the town and ensuring it stays beautiful.
SPMS earlier this month also hosted a downtown cleanup day and Cadman was one of many volunteers who rolled up their sleeves to spruce up the downtown area on a Saturday.
“That’s really important to have people in your community who give back through their talents or money,” Phillips said. “There are lots of different ways to improve things. It’s really refreshing to see volunteers who come to the board and see the value of improving the town.”