“…Some wonder if the star of Bethlehem

Occurred when Jupiter and Saturn crossed;

It’s comforting to look up from this roof

And feel that, while all changes, nothing’s lost,

To recollect that in antiquity

The winter solstice fell in Capricorn

And that, in the Orion Nebula,

From swirling gas, new stars are being born.”

~ Timothy Steele, excerpt from “Toward the Winter Solstice”

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or other holidays, I hope this one will be a time of love for all.

Hanging on my front door there are jingle bells, kept from days when a little fellow growing up here believed in Santa Claus. At midnight the bells would magically ring, Christmas cookies disappeared, stockings overflowed with little gifts and treats.

Even after the little fellow grew up and flew the nest, those bells served multi-purposes, especially when my Shar-Pei kids learned to nose them, ringing the bells to be let out. Every year, Christmas bells rimmed in glitter graced the top of my mother’s coconut cake, created with real coconut milk and hand-grated coconut. There’s no telling what happened to those bells, but my front door’s jingle bells are still singing, every time the door opens. Some mighty sweet memories in those songs. All changes, nothing’s lost. Merry Christmas!

Before the end of the year, you can become a founding member of SCLT by contributing $1,000 or more. For a limited time, SCLT has matching funds for contributions of $500 or more. Checks should be made out to Polk County Community Foundation and directed to the SCLT endowment fund. Learn more about Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560.

There’s still time to order an engraved brick/paver for Pace Park in the alley by M.A. Pace Store. Drop off applications and payment to City Hall or mail to City of Saluda, 6 Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773. Proceeds will go toward building public restrooms. For information, contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.

Visit the Holiday Gallery at Saluda Historic Depot, 32 W. Main St., through December, Thursday-Sunday, 12-4 p.m.

Don’t forget to swing by Heartwood Gallery at 21 Main Street to pick up friendship star ornaments being sold to benefit Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry.

Autumn Care residents would appreciate a visit, a card, or a kind gesture during the holidays. Autumn Care of Saluda is located at 501 Esseola Drive. For more information call 828-749-2261.

Saluda School will be out from Dec. 22 – Jan. 1.

Saluda Welcome Table returns Jan. 10, 2017.

“Aging in Place – It’s In Your Future” will be presented by SLIP (Saluda Living In Place) at Saluda Center, Jan. 25. Registration is at 9:45 and the talk will be at 10 a.m. Dr. JoAnne Helppie will be the speaker. For information contact Donna Carson at 749-9245.

Art Notes: Artist Ray Pague is back from Oregon, visiting. On Dec. 24, I’ll have a holiday open studio at 285 Greenville Street from 1-3 p.m. There is lots of parking at the fire department across the street. 

Happy December birthday to Judy Ward, Holly Wilkes, Theresa Wilkes, Perry Ellwood, Donnie Hunter, Jeff Bradley, Preston Mintz, Carolyn Morgan, Susan Casey, Jeff Jenkins, Nikki Ammerman, Cas Haskell, Mary O. Ratcliffe, Laura Fields, Lord Blanton, Beth Brand, Jim Carson, and Tom DeKay.

Thank you for reading this column. As ever, the goal is to make you, dear reader, feel like you’re enjoying a cup of hot tea and life in Saluda. It’s hard to believe yet another year has almost passed! I wish all of you a warm and joyful holiday season with a Happy New Year around the corner! Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153. I always love hearing from you. Or visit bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or Facebook.