“…then the voice of a dove calls

from far away in itself

to the hush of the morning

so this is the sound of you

here and now whether or not

anyone hears it this is

where we have come with our age

our knowledge such as it is

and our hopes such as they are

invisible before us

untouched and still possible”

~ W. S. Merwin, excerpt from “To the New Year”

Welcome, dear readers, to January 2018 Saluda News & Notations! Somehow this New Year arrived faster than expected—I don’t claim to have gotten over the last one and still scratch my head at how fast time flies the older I get. At this house, the past year was one of constant ups and downs, nothing in between, and sometimes it felt like the downside was the winning side. Years tend to be like that, don’t they?

While this one’s still young, shiny and new, it’s time to reflect and think on possibilities and changes ahead. On the kitchen counter, there’s no long, overly detailed list of resolutions. You could call mine the short list! Lose one pound. Save one dollar. Donate one thing. Give one compliment. Do one kindness a day. Get rid of this virus that likes me so much it keeps hanging around. (The only thing I’ve found to be thankful for with it is the jump-start of New Year dieting. Existing on soup and hot tea works wonders in a couple weeks!)

Small things become great things, one step at a time. So, I’m grateful for all of you, and wishing a good year ahead for us all, a sense of community and hope for the greater good. One the positive side, I’ve even changed calendars and remembered to write 2018 on a check. Perhaps this is a great start….

The annual Saluda Center Gala is rescheduled to Jan. 7.

Saluda Welcome Table at Saluda Methodist Church resumes Jan. 9.

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.

Learn more about Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. Monthly meetings are the first Wednesday each month at 3 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org. 

Social Singles (all singles over 40) of Saluda will have a potluck dinner on Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. Bring a dish of your choice to share. Call Anita Moore at 828-749-3335 for more information.

The Saluda Community Singers will perform a winter concert on Jan. 19, 7 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church.

The Saluda Historic Depot will be open this January on Friday and Saturday each week and the 14th & 15th Holiday Weekend. For more information, visit saludahistoricdepot.com.

Calling all artists: the Saluda Business Association invites you to enter the 15th annual juried Saluda Arts Festival on May 19, 2018. The deadline for entry is mid-March. Visit saluda.com to link to the arts festival page.

Pearson’s Falls is closed through January.

Happy January Birthday to Nora Parks Anderson, Brandy Bradley, Alex Bardos, Carolyn Ashburn, Scott Kinard, Donna Bond, Greer Eargle, Wyatt Alan Pace, Irma Anderson, Paul Aaybe, Phyllis Arrington, Kenneth Justus, Cheryl Harbin, and Avery Lena Mintz. Please add your name to the list; no ages mentioned unless you’re under 2 or over 100!

Thank you, dear readers, for reading this column. You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, 828-749-1153, or bonniebardosart.com.