“…The forsythia comes back, spraying its thin whips with
blossom, one loud yellow shout.
The robins. They come back. They pull the sun on the
silver thread of their song.
The irises come back. They dance in the soft air in silken
gowns of midnight blue.
The lilacs come back. They trail their perfume like a scarf
of violet chiffon.
And the leaves come back, on every tree and bush, millions
and millions of small green hands applauding your return.”

~ Barbara Crocker, excerpt from “For a Friend…”

Standing on the front porch last Saturday afternoon waiting for a ride, I watched rain drip, drip, drip off eaves, splatter puddles on the walkway. Holding an umbrella, groaning about the downpour, I suddenly realized there was a sea of spring green magically spreading over the earth, all around, that tender lime-green shade that only new spring can have as sweet grass flourishes, leaves unfurl new growth.

Groaning became delight, a realization that a fresh chapter has begun. Along the winding back road to Tryon (am I ever glad that is reopened finally!), the same color paints the landscape. Weeping willows bend down near the river through the valley, wearing new outfits of chartreuse. There’s just something about that color: it makes you glad to be alive!

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday. Dinner is served from 5:30 -7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All are welcome; donations accepted.

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) benefits from your donations or time as a volunteer for their many community projects. Mark your calendar to bring the family for the annual meeting with speaker naturalist Doug Elliot scheduled on April 13, 6 p.m. at Saluda Center. The popular “Walks in the Woods” return in April on first and third Sundays. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org.

Donations to help support Saluda Historic Depot can be sent to P.O. Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773 or on the HistoricSaluda.org website.

Saluda Garden Club meets March 21 at 10 a.m. at Saluda Library.

Plan on bringing your little ones to the Easter Egg Hunt for children up to age 12 across from Memorial Park (empty lot on Irwin/Greenville), March 26, 2-4 p.m. Bring your own basket and a camera; the Easter Bunny will be hopping around! For information, call 828-749-3789.

The Saluda branch of Tree City USA meets at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at Saluda Library.

Enjoy a community potluck and bingo night at Saluda Center, March 28, 6 p.m. All are welcome; bring along a favorite dish to share!

Congratulations to Egan Asbill-Beck (son of Mary Ann Asbill and Danny Beck) and Logan Dixon (grandson of Edna McKee) who are members of Ashebots Robotics Team and went this month to Texas and the national robotics competition where the team was finalist for the Promote Award, and won the 2nd Place Think Award. Next, the Ashebots team heads to the FTC World Championship in St Louis, Missouri, April 27-30.

Happy March Birthday to: Faye Chandler, Genell Jespersen, Charlene Pace, Valerie Mintz, Sheldon Mintz, Curtis Pace, Anita Odgen Moore, Charles Weinhagen, Kevin Kerr, Dorrie McKinley, Catherine Ross, Jane Fox, Beverly Pickard, Monica Pace, Ken Justus, Elizabeth Justus,  Arlene Klippel, Rachel Bradley, Chris Bradley,  Martha Stoney Anderson, Dawn Delgado, Peggy Wolf, Dori Ray, Martin Anderson, Craig Bass, and Laura Bass. Please add your birthday to the list. No ages mentioned unless you’re under 2 or over 100!

Thank you dear readers, for reading this column. I love hearing from you! Whether you live here, or just wish you were here, the goal is to make you feel welcome and right at home in our friendly little mountain town called Saluda. You can email me at bbardos@gmail.com, call 749-1153, visit bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.