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Saluda News & Notations

By Bonnie J. Bardos

The morning is full of storm in the heart of summer.
The clouds travel like white handkerchiefs of good-bye, the wind, traveling, waving them in its hands.
The numberless heart of the wind beating above our loving silence.
Orchestral and divine, resounding among the trees like a language full of wars and songs.

~ Pablo Neruda, from “The Morning is Full”

Summer slips in on a warm, dry mountain afternoon under blue sky and white puffy clouds, a promise of cicada songs and hummingbird wings whispering, of scarlet-red watermelon, firefly sparkles and porch swings creaking. There’s something about her, in a white Queen Anne’s lace frock and hand-full of daisies.

Standing in the garden, I could feel her in the hot breeze: the anticipation of bikes, melting ice cream, bare feet, tomato sandwiches, lazy hammocks, wading in dappled water, baking pavement disappearing into mysterious mirages ahead.

Oh, the delight of long days, just-mowed lawns, bees buzzing, hammock time. It’s a different summer for us all: yet I could feel, decades later, the joy of a child facing summer stretching without end, no homework, happy toes in green grass.

• Saluda Living in Place in partnership with Saluda Fire Department, Polk County EMS and Polk County Emergency Management will offer free drive-thru Covid-19 testing on June 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Saluda Fire Department.
• Coon Dog Day is canceled.
• Keep up with Saluda Community Land Trust’s latest projects: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 to learn more.
• Walks in the Woods on July 5 will be a gentle walk that examines Saluda’s history, meandering through downtown, learning about people and places, Little Park, and up Shand Hill to Sullivan’s Temple. Meet at Saluda Library parking lot, 2:00 p.m., social-distancing measures will be practiced.
• SCLT’s trails can benefit from regular clearing and pick-up; if you’d like to help, contact Trail Boss Chuck Hearon at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net
• The Community Pop-up Pantry is open for drive-through each Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church parking lot. Send donations to Church of the Transfiguration, designated for Pop-Up Pantry, 72 Charles Street, Saluda NC 28773. If you have a large garden, consider donating fresh produce to the pantry!
• Saluda Historic Depot & Museum is open Thursday to Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Face coverings, safe distancing and limits of people to 10 at a time will take place.
• Help pave Pace Park! Have a loved one’s name, your own name or any name you choose   engraved on a brick paver. Proceeds go toward public restrooms as part of Pace Park. For additional information, please contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.

Saluda Tidbits:

• Did you know–that Saluda’s altitude ranges from 2096-2200 above sea level.
• In 1936, sixteen magneto crank telephones were in Saluda; Ed Leland bought the

Appalachian State Telephone Company for $800 and installed a modern dial system in

1945, the first in Polk County, he was known to climb many a pole in Saluda.

• The Victorian-Gothic Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Saluda was finished and consecrated on Sept. 1, 1891.

Garden Tips:

• Keep hummingbird nectar fresh and feeders clean especially in hot weather when mold grows quickly.
• Toss grass clippings in compost heap.
• Cheap beer poured in saucers makes great slug bait: they love it and go to slug heaven happy indeed.

Happy June Birthday to Nancy Barnett, Verne Dawson, Peggy Ellwood, Anna Jackson, Charlie Jackson, Amy Violet Ford, Terry Arrington, Julie Arrington, Susie Welsh Hearn, Jeremy Edwards, John Savage, Eleanor Morgan, Mary Lu Price, Sigi Hendrickson, Edna McKee, Lucinda Pittman, D.J. Gaskin, Susan Matthews, Lisa Duck, Kasey Watkins, Jane Mann and Chambli Dawn Stuber.

 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, 828-749-1153, or visit bonniebardosart.com