Consider shopping in Saluda on Small Business Saturday

Published 9:57 pm Thursday, November 12, 2015

By Bonnie J. Bardos

…With the ongoing havoc

the woods this morning is
almost unnaturally still.
Through stalled air, unshadowed
light, a few leaves fall
of their own weight.

The sky
is gray. It begins in mist
almost at the ground
and rises forever. The trees
rise in silence almost
natural, but not quite,
almost eternal, but
not quite…

~ Wendell Berry, excerpt from “Sabbaths 1999, VII”

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday, with dinner from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All welcome; donations accepted. Saluda Historic Depot has holiday shopping with their first annual Saluda Holiday Gallery featuring a variety of arts and craft items through Dec. 31, Thursday-Sunday, 12-4 p.m. An opening reception is Nov. 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The annual Saluda United Methodist Church’s Turkey Dinner is Nov. 14 at Saluda School cafeteria, 5-7 p.m.
Ward’s Grill will have a free Veteran’s Breakfast on Nov. 19 until 10 a.m.
The Historic Saluda Committee meets Nov. 20, 2 p.m. at Saluda Library.
Heartwood Gallery is having their annual leaf ornament fundraiser for Thermal Belt Outreach; all proceeds are donated to Thermal Belt Outreach. Also, City of Saluda is collecting toys and donations for Saluda children in need. Donations can be dropped off at City Hall.
Small Business Saturday is Nov. 28, so why not make it every day? Shop local—it feels good! Your local curmudgeon (me) was dragged by force to a large outlet mall. All I can say is I wondered why on earth the corporate world thought an uncovered open-to-the-elements mall is a great thing in an area that gets rain, cold, snow and ice. Left scratching my head on that notion, and vowed to keep away! (FYI, I didn’t spot any bonafide bargains either) I was downright relieved to get back to my little town with no stoplights and a good dog who had sense not to ask to go. (They really are smarter than us indeed!)
The annual Polk County Toy Run is Nov. 29, starting at Saluda Fire Department, 64 Greenville St. Registration is from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The parade starts at 2 p.m. Get those motorcycles and toys ready! For information, contact Barry Gee at 828-817-3084 or bgee1960@yahoo.com.
Keep in mind that Saluda Community Land Trust would love to have you volunteer or be a member. Learn more by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560.
Saluda congratulations go to Leon Morgan and Stanley Walker, winners of the recent election for Saluda commissioners.
Happy Birthday to Rich and Rita Igoe, Karen Johnson, Marsha Jenkins, Nancy Barnett, Dawn Pearson, Charles Pearson, Dusty Jespersen, Gwen Garren, Stoney Lamar, Jim Boyle, Tom Ellwood, Wendy McEntire, Aaron Burdett, Richard Baker, Donna Potruski and Jane Thompson. Please add your birthday to the list.
Thank you, dear readers for reading this column! It’s my goal to make you feel as if you were enjoying a visit in a small town with a big heart, kicking up fall leaves along the way. Please feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or call 749-1153. You may also visit bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.