“I navigate the dark house by moving from the green star of the smoke detector to the blue star of the electric toothbrush. I am no different than Magellan or Marco Polo, I am guided by what burns. Some nights I step onto the back porch. The prow of it charges the blackness, while the stars above me sharpen and blur. Inside, I harbor the ache of what is no longer possible.”

~ Charles Rafferty, “Insomnolence”

 

Several years ago, I named Nora Parks Anderson “Sparkles”. We’d run into each other at the tailgate market, grocery store, or wherever….and there she was. 

 

Nora/Sparkles was born on New Year’s Day. I always believed she got those bright spots from her mom, Martha–who I met at the city park back when my son was little: a magical soul with a fairy crown (of sparkles) playing with grand-kids. What a family! 

 

Over time, Nora tirelessly worked with our Saluda Community Land Trust and volunteered at the Friday tailgate market. Never one to stand preening in the spotlight, she was right there helping, doing what needed to be done. The sort of person you could depend on. Driving by “Happy Hut”, her family home, I’d spot her little red wagon and smile. There’s Sparkles! She was just one of those people who make Saluda “home”. No fancy airs, no-nonsense, honest,  upfront, simple hair-do and clothes. Brown eyes. That was Nora. 

 

The Saluda Business Association gave a fine tribute to Nora in the last weekly Saluda Tailgate Market newsletter, and I couldn’t have said it better myself: “We remember the wiry woman in flip flops and orange vest directing vendor traffic and ensuring no vendor interfered with the bus stop at the market parking lot. She never missed a market until last year when she had to say good-bye to volunteering to take care of her mother. 

 

Nora was quite the conversationalist. She never met a stranger and never had a problem striking up a conversation. She read a lot. She read the Tryon Daily Bulletin word for word and never missed anything going on in Saluda. If she thought it, you heard it. She was clever and funny. An email she sent to fellow volunteers about an article on different words and their meaning show her wit.

“I like new words though I must admit: 1) I have never in my life been told that I looked (per ensemble) or had anyone respond to me as fetching. I have on many occasions offered (daily even) to fetch something for someone. In conclusion…am I a dog or am I hoping that said persons find me fetching in that I will fetch? 2-I am particularly fond of the use of hedge…hedge hog, box hedge, “put up a barrier”, this particular word can go on and on. I sorta got distracted with that word so will have to say I lost thought process with the rest of the wordage.” 

Dear Reader, if that doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will—for that is the essence of a woman who left us too soon. Somewhere, there are extra sparkles around; wearing flip flops and an orange vest, directing things. 

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the city’s parking lot on West Main Street.

Learn more about Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. For information on helping clear trails or “Walks in the Woods”, contact “Trail Boss” Chuck Hearon at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net. The next walk is September 1 to Saluda Nature Park. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2:00 p.m.

 

Every Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., there’s a community pop-up food pantry at the Apple Mill, 1345 Ozone Drive.

 

Saluda Historic Depot is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. September 6, 7:00 p.m. is the premier of the Saluda Grade video; Saluda Train Tales with Jerry Ledford on September 20, 7:00 p.m.

 

Saluda Community Table is Thursday 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Saluda Center.

 

With schools back in session, please SLOW DOWN and pay attention (that means you!)…the yellow dragons are on the roads! 

 

Saluda Get-Well goes to Doris Marion, Cissy Thompson, Lisa Duck, and Peggy Ellwood. 

 

Saluda Sympathy goes to the family of Nora Parks Anderson, daughter of Martha Stoney Anderson. 

 

Happy August Birthday to B.J. Kent, Linda Kaye Haynes, Paul Stoney, Jen Pace, Zack Pace, Don Mintz, Caroline Tindal, Nora Ward, Samantha Ward, Reeda Ward, Natalie Aabye, Verlie Murphy, Peter Eisenbrown, Coleman Bradley, Ryan Bradley, Libby Archer, Rodney Thompson, Cathy Jackson, Bill Jameson, Tayloe Francisco, and Ron Bennett.   

 

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