Community:

Saluda United Methodist Church’s annual turkey feast was a huge hit. It’s a homecoming of sorts, where Saluda residents both young and old gather for a delicious home-cooked meal. You see folks from elsewhere coming to eat and share- a tradition of the best kind! Even those in the take-out line get a chance to visit. Pastor Rob Parsons was busy overseeing the event, June Taylor pouring drinks, Nancy Johnson, Bill and Arlene Klippel, Betty Anna Brown and all the church folks were working hard, as they do every year. When you sit beside those you know and love in a cozy school cafeteria, warm and well-fed, surrounded by love and good people, things are right in the world indeed.

Speaking of good people, best wishes to long-time Saluda resident Anita Wagner who’s moving home to Colorado. Our library won’t be the same without her. Rodney and Melody Gibson generously hosted a going-away party for Anita — all have been the backbone of our downtown Saluda Library. Anita has been a volunteer since the library first opened: a fixture at the front desk. Widowed for several years, she’s found love again and a new journey ahead (this gives even me hope for the future!). Thank you Anita for being a part of Saluda; you’ll be missed. Happy trails.

Saluda Community Land Trust meets twice a month and would love to have you volunteer: our SCLT folks are an active group. Also, Saluda Center would be glad to have your help too; whether Meals On Wheels, or another project; and Saluda School can always use tutors and volunteers of all kinds, just inquire.

Saluda Garden Club will feature John Vining on Nov. 19, 10 a.m. at Saluda Library.

Encore. Local goods and fall produce can be found at the Saluda Tailgate Special Market on Saturday, Nov. 24, 1-3 p.m., West Main St. parking lot.

Mark your calendar and get your motorcycle spiffed up for the Polk County Annual Toy Run, Nov. 24, starting at Saluda Fire Department, 64 Greenville Street. Registration starts at 11 a.m.; the parade starts at 2 p.m. For more information contact Barry Gee 828-817-3084.

Happy Birthday to Rich and Rita Igoe, Karen Johnson, Marsha Jenkins, Nancy Barnett, Dawn Pearson, Charles Pearson, Dusty Jespersen, Gwen Garren, Stoney Lamar, Jim Boyle, Tom Ellwood, Frank Beeson and Wendy McEntire. Add your birthday to the list.

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. May each and every one of you have Thanksgiving in your heart, with family, friends, and those you hold dear in this world. I am thankful for you. 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com; or 749-1153: I love hearing from you! You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on facebook.