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Saluda News & Notations

You don’t always have to be doing something. You can just be, and that’s plenty.

~ Alice Walker 

December—light-festooned Christmas tree lots scattered here and there…glittering afternoons under blue skies—in the wink of an eye the year has moved toward winter and hearth. Sometimes it is good just to take time to just be, to pause in the haste and hustle. 

To just BE—to watch birds, evening sunsets, night stars rising in  deep indigo skies, to listen to crisp leaves underfoot, to admire water rippling over moss-kissed stones. To notice the silver-blue haze of distant mountains, the green mystery. Not doing something is everything sometimes.  

 

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) keeps active year-round with land conservation, trails and projects: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 to learn more. SCLT’s annual holiday boxwood wreath-making day at Twin Lakes is December 4 from 11-3, rain or shine. For information on hikes or volunteering for trail-clearing, contact Chuck Hearon at (828) 817-0364 or chearon1942@gmail.com.  

 

Saluda Hometown Christmas (sponsored by Saluda Business Association/City of Saluda) is back this year on Main Street from 6-8 p.m. on December 10. Music and entertainment will be at McCreery Park–along with laser lights, a campfire for roasting s’mores, a toy donation box, carols, and Santa. Elves along Main Street will offer goodies and hot beverages for strollers. Not all shops will be open, but all will be decorated. Saluda churches will hold an ecumenical service on the park’s stage at 8 p.m.

 

Saluda Historic Depot and Museum’s hours are Sunday/Monday 12-4 p.m., and Thursday/Friday/Saturday 12-6 p.m. Train Tales are  December 17 with a Perry Como Christmas Special. These events are at Saluda Historic Depot, 32 W. Main Street, Saluda. Presentations start at 7 p.m.; donations appreciated. 

 

Ebenezer Scrooge makes an appearance December 17/18, 7 p.m. at Mountain Page Community Theater (1303 Mountain Page Road) with “A Ghostly Mountain Christmas Tale”. Tickets available at Thompson’s Store; (828) 749-4803 for more information.

 

Saluda Pop-up Pantry is Tuesday, 1-6 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church. Masks/safety precautions taken. Send donations to Saluda Pop-Up Pantry, P.O. Box 428, Saluda 28773, Saluda NC 28773. The “Winter Closet” for adults, teenagers and children can use winter coats, sweaters, socks, hats, gloves, and blankets; you can email saludapantry@gmail.com to schedule a time to deliver; paper goods are needed too. Visit www.saludapantry.com to learn more.

 

The Saluda Visitor Center, 20 W. Main, has winter hours of noon-3  weekdays, and 11-3 on weekends. (closed Thanksgiving) If you’d like to be a volunteer or learn more, contact Lynn Casey at caseysaluda@gmail.com

 

Pavers for Pace Park is a community fundraiser to support completion of public restrooms in a pocket park in the alley by M. A. Pace General Store. Forms can be obtained from City Hall, City of Saluda website, or from Catherine Ross at carnc@charter.net or 828-749-3534.  

 

Heartwood Gallery’s annual holiday fundraiser ornament is “Prancing Deer”: proceeds from ornament sales go to Thermal Belt Outreach, a non-profit that provides financial/food assistance to Polk County residents in need. 

 

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, Susan Ansley, Tom DeKay, and Ana Lilburn. Back over 25 years ago (when I was five or so), I started compiling the birthday list with the Saluda Signal…then with the Tryon Daily Bulletin—how that list has  grown! Thank you, Dear Readers, for helping keep it updated. 

 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 817-6765, P.O. Box 331, Saluda, NC 28773, Facebook, or visit bonniebardos.com