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Saluda News & Notations

By Bonnie J. Bardos

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”  ~ James Baldwin

There was a crescent moon of shell in the street this morning along with a small puddle of remains. It just made me sad: seeing that on a Saluda street (where traffic should be going 25 mph), plenty of time to stop or swerve around Mr. Turtle or tote him out of harm’s way.

No matter what, we have those who run over a creature out of spite, the prevalent bully-mentality of laughing at others’ pain with glee: whether it be another human or a creature, never giving a second thought.

A couple weeks ago, I stopped to air-lift another turtle across a busy road, jogging quick to avoid being side-swiped myself, pointing my little friend in the direction he was headed. Maybe it didn’t make much difference to anybody but him (and my heart), but I like to think he lived another day, just because someone saw him, the wonderful creature he is, the role he plays on this earth. Sort of applies to our fellow beings as well. If we could only “see” each other.

While gathering figs along a friend’s back-yard stream, my friend told me about the resident thick-necked snapping turtle that has come for many years to share the fig feast. Instead of being afraid of the turtle, he appreciated that it showed up, like the deer and other creatures, to share in a bounty in a safe haven. So, I had to tell him that my rough-n-tough Uncle Joe, married to my mother’s sister, was known to stop in the road to get a snapping turtle, toss it in the back of his weathered truck and have turtle on the dinner plate by sundown.

That’s the people I come from, I laughed, remembering family history way back when; although I’ve never eaten a turtle. Rather see ‘em enjoying a repast of figs, safe in a green haven along the river.

Keep up with Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT)’s latest projects: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 to learn more. The next Walk in the Woods will be August 16 to Ollie’s Falls, a moderate hike along Joel’s Creek, passing four waterfalls. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2:00 p.m. 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. In the last two weeks of July, the Pantry served 98 households and 250 individuals. For information, contact saludapantry@gmail.com

 

 

Saluda Historic Depot & Museum is open Thursday thru Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saluda Train Tales are canceled until September; the next date will be September 18, 7:00 p.m. with Ray Rapp’s “Back on Track”. If you’d like to be a museum docent, contact a board member or Judy Ward at 828-674-5958.

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Saluda Library is back to regular hours: Monday thru Friday 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Visit Saluda.com to see updates on local businesses, re-openings, plus take-out/on-line ordering information.

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. Add your birthday to the list—it’s a longtime promise no ages mentioned unless you’re under two or over 100!

 

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