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“Sometimes I have loved the peacefulness of an ordinary Sunday. It is like standing in a newly planted garden after a warm rain. You can feel the silent and invisible life. All it needs from you is that you take care not to trample on it.” ~ Marilynne Robinson, excerpt from “Gilead” 

The holiday season in Saluda remains a favorite time: warmth and glow of home and hearth, downtown shops twinkling with lights on dark December evenings. A time to slow down, to reflect on life and blessings both great and small. While it seems impossible to slow down with a plethora of events, shopping and parties, I find myself wandering the ‘slow’ path, to make room for places in the heart that need to be remembered: of Christmases and loved ones past. 

 Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth–when I was a kid, the more you got under the tree, the better. The Sears Wish Book’s pages became dog-eared and tattered from over-use. Of course, the E-Z Bake oven picture was circled (several times, no less) as a hint. Along with a good bit of the toy section. Those of us of a certain age remember that catalog well! 

Now I find myself yearning to give more, wanting very little: just simple things like watching tree lights at night, watching firelight dance, a good book to read in bed, a warm dog close by, something simmering on the stove all day, hugs. Maybe a box of Godiva instead of an E-Z Bake oven (hint hint). Places in the heart, circles of light indeed…to be cognizant of silent and invisible life of new gardens, even in the heart of December, here in this small town.

Our 34th annual Hometown Christmas is tonight: December 13th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. along Historic Main Street with charming character, colors, and old-fashioned friendliness bringing to mind a simpler place and time. Stores on Main Street and over the bridge downtown glow with warm light and music. At 8:00 p.m., the evening wraps up with an ecumenical service at Saluda Presbyterian Church.

Saluda Community Table resumes January 9 at Saluda Center. 

 

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. Saluda Train Tales, “A Perry Como Christmas in Saluda” will be December 20, 7:00 p.m. The Depot will be closed January/February. 

 

Ward’s Grill hosts a free veterans’ breakfast for all military veterans on the third Thursday of each month; the next one is December 19 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saluda Living in Place has their free veterans’ breakfast on the 1st Wednesday each month at Saluda Fire Station, 9:00 a.m. 

 

The community pop-up pantry is every Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church, 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). The pantry partners with the Asheville MANNA food bank; to volunteer, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, 828-749-9740. Donations can be mailed to Church of the Transfiguration, designated for the Pop-Up Pantry, 72 Charles Street in Saluda.

Learn about Saluda Community Land Trust by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. If you’d like to help maintain/clear trails, contact Chuck Hearon at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net. 

 

You can purchase a Pace Park paver to honor a loved one, or support the community park project. Obtain forms at city hall, city website, or contact Catherine Ross at carnc@charter.net. 

 

A special Christmas pot luck meal will be served on December 25, 1:00 p.m. at Saluda Center. Turkey, ham, dressing, gravy, and tea provided.  Everyone is welcome; bring a favorite side dish to share. Contact saludaumc@gmail.com for more information.

 

Happy December birthday to Judy Ward, Holly Wilkes, Theresa Wilkes, Perry Ellwood, Donnie Hunter, Jeff Bradley, Preston Mintz, Carolyn Morgan, Susan Casey, Jeff Jenkins, Nikki Ammerman, Cas Haskell, Mary O. Ratcliffe, Laura Fields, Lord Blanton, Beth Brand, Jim Carson, Tom DeKay, and Ana Lilburn. 

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