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Saluda News & Notations

By Bonnie J. Bardos

I go by a field where once
I cultivated a few poor crops.
It is now covered with young trees,
for the forest that belongs here
has come back and reclaimed its own.
And I think of all the effort
I have wasted and all the time,
and of how much joy I took
in that failed work and how much
it taught me. For in so failing
I learned something of my place,
something of myself, and now
I welcome back the trees.

~ Wendell Berry, IX

 

Usually by July, always by August, I’m kvetching and moaning over Christmas junk cramming aisles of big-box stores, earlier every year. Now Halloween’s out on display, but no thanks: I’ve had enough of wearing a mask already this year!

Christmas has been running way behind for once in the stores, and honestly, Dear Reader, I’m not complaining one whit. However, it seems a shame not to have SOMETHING to kvetch and moan about, so allow me to step up to the plate. After all someone needs to do it.

The signs. Already, political signs are sprouting like mushrooms on every corner, lawn, by-way and highway. By October, you won’t be able to see the forest for the signs. Here they come. Right now, it’s against Polk County law to put ‘em on public property such as roadways, although you won’t get in trouble for sticking them on your own private property; or outside the public right-of-way after September 15: then it’s a free-for-all.

Here’s my idea. Every election we see countless signs clogging the landscape of our beautiful county. Don’t you think we’d just be better off without ‘em?

I say thank you to those who choose to wait until mid-September. People are going to vote (please do!) however they want. Like those honkin’ ugly billboards you used to see on the way to Myrtle Beach, or along interstates, political signs distract from the view. The point is to yell and blast THIS ONE! NO–THIS ONE! to every person who passes by, so there’s not one clear thought left in that lizard brain of ours. At this critical time, we need that brain to think–clearly and wisely. THIS ONE! is not always the right one. Dump the signs, let soft blue mountains and quiet green vistas speak volumes.

Keep up with Saluda Community Land Trust‘s latest projects: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 to learn more. You can support SCLT with donations, volunteering, and through Amazon Smile. The next “Walks in the Woods” will be September 20 to Green River Cove Trail. Meet at Saluda Library/Presbyterian Church parking lot, 2:00 p.m. Safe-distancing guidelines practiced. 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. For information or to volunteer, contact saludapantry@gmail.com

Saluda Historic Depot & Museum is open Thurs.-Sat. 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sun. 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saluda Train Tales are on hold the rest of the year.

Saluda Library hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 a.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 plus take-out/on-line ordering information.

Saluda Get-Well goes to Candy Oakes, Gary Pace, and John Savage.

Saluda Congratulations go to Martin Anderson and Hannah Seng.

Saluda Thank You goes to you, Dear Reader for your calls, notes, or pats on the back. (and a thank you to J. Anderson for the message—I got it!)

Happy September Birthday to Wayne Thompson, Courtney Hoots, Merci Weitzen, Dale McEntire, Joni Rauschenbach, Linda Kaye Hayes, Carol Kenfield, Debbie Fisher, Leslie Jespersen, Linda Mintz, Sheila Billeter, Cary Pace, Ross Arrington, Hop Foster, Chuck Hearon, Alexia Timberlake, Jason Justus, Beth Carson, Clark Thompson, Nicholas Edwards, Cindy Tuttle, Don Clapp, Barbara Cardais and Nancy Pew.

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