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It could happen any time, tornado,

earthquake, Armageddon. It could happen.

Or sunshine, love, salvation.

It could, you know. That’s why we wake

and look out––no guarantees

in this life.

But some bonuses, like morning,

like right now, like noon,

like evening.

 

~ William Stafford, Yes

 

It seems that wind and wild weather events get more extreme every time you turn around. Since putting up a metal garden arch last year, I found it has been no match for sudden wind gusts of 50 mph, although it’s done fine with normal wind. Finally, I had enough of the wild wind and took charge (you don’t mess with Taurus the Bull). 

 

Scavenging a dog tether with a metal cable out of the basement, I climbed a ladder and wrapped it around the arch, then hauled out dusty old hammock tree ties made of some kind of indestructible fabric I’d been saving for “someday-I-just-might-need-that-very-thing.” Those anchor the arch sides to a brick column and a heavy pot. 

 

It’s a given that wicked wind gusts WILL come back. Let’s see how this holds up, no pun intended! 

 

The Saluda Winter Market continues at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. on April 9 and 23.

 

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) keeps active with land conservation, trails, projects and more: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 for information. You can support SCLT with donations, volunteering, and through Amazon Smile. Contact “Trail Boss” Chuck Hearon at chearon1942@gmail.com about ideas or willingness to lead a hike, or helping clear trails. The next Walk in the Woods is on April 17 to Henry’s Nature Center. This is an Easter meander over wooded terrain and a chance to see the new pavilion. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m.  

 

Saluda Living in Place (SLIP), a non-profit organization to help seniors age in place, and can help those 60+ in the greater Saluda community with home safety  and more. SLIP (website www.slipnc.org) can be contacted at (828) 749-0049. 

 

Saluda’s Mountain Page Theater starts a new season with YAK (Young Acting Krew) and the Mountain Page Players with the “Saturday Night Old Tyme Radio Series” featuring episodes from “Dragnet” and “Suspense Theater” on April 8, 7 p.m. and April 9 for a 2:30 Sunday Matinee. Friday night poetry readings begin monthly on April 22. Follow at Mountain Page Theater Facebook Group or contact cgerwe@rsnet.org. For ticket information and events, visit their website at www.mountainpagetheater.com 

 

At the Saluda Historic Depot and Museum, Ed Painter, a railroad photographer and historian known as “The Man Between The Tracks,” will give a presentation on his favorite Saluda Grade Memories at Train Tales on April 15 at 7 p.m. The Depot is located at 32 West Main Street in Saluda. 

 

Saluda Pop-Up Pantry is Tuesday from 1 p.m.  to 6 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church, 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). A lovely garden is being created at the Pantry entrance by members of the Saluda Garden Club, thanks to grants provided by Polk County Appearance Commission and WNC Bridge Foundation. Thank you to the Garden Club members who have worked on this project: Susan Cannon, Debbie Hahn, Luanne Matson, Kay McCord, Karen McGee, and Teresa Wilkinson. To volunteer at the Pantry, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, 828-749-9740. You can mail tax-deductible donations to Saluda Pop-Up Pantry, P.O. Box 428, Saluda, NC 28773 or donate online at www.saludapantrycom   

 

Saluda Visitor Center at 20 West Main Street has April hours from noon to 3 p.m. on  weekdays, and 11 a.m. to  4 p.m. on weekends. 

 

The 17th Saluda Arts Festival will May 21 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed to work shifts—section leaders, assistants, information tent, parking, golf cart drivers. If interested, contact Linda Bailey at boblindabailey@hotmail.com. 

 

Happy April Birthday to: Melody Gibson, Jeff Allison, Dave Prudhomme, Kaye Vazquez, Cindy Keeter, Hope Pace, Diane Pace, Greaton Sellers, Clay Arrington, Bonnie Bardos, Luther Connor, Gary Pace, Doug Honeycutt, Niece Lundgren, Julie Roy, Rhonda Corley, Taylor Thompson, Loretta Cook, Hilda Pace, Elizabeth Taylor, Laura Morgan, Roberta Cart, Joan Beddingfield, Anne Lee and Mabel Pace. 

 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 817-6765, P.O. Box 331, Saluda, NC 28773, Facebook, or visit bonniebardos.com