Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A garden is a way that the land says, “I love you.”…Gardens are simultaneously a material and a spiritual undertaking.

~ Robin Wall Kimmerer

 

Back when I was a kid in elementary school, my worries were simple things–albeit big things to a little kid. 

 

Did I have enough pencils? That Gail across the table had the BEST hair barrettes ever and how I longed for some. What would be for lunch? Would I make it to the bathroom in time? Would I have someone to sit with on the big yellow bus with shiny brown seats and would the driver remember to stop at my house? Would Mrs. Trull twist my ear off for talking at nap time, or worse—smack my hand with her wood ruler? Would Danny beat me to the lunch line first? Would I be picked next-to-last for Red Rover? Would we have finger-painting day? 

 

Just innocent worries. 

 

Things changed. 

 

Children (and their teachers) deserve to go into school for a fresh new day, to learn. To read. To play outside. To be without fear, to not be on the news as more mass shooting victims. Parents should get their children back home safe, and sound–with some homework in hand, some school projects in the pack, and happy chatter of a busy good day. That’s how it’s supposed to be. 

 

We should be able to go to school, our grocery store, our library, and our gathering places without fear, without loss of innocent lives. It is past time to do the right thing.  

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is every Friday at the west city parking lot located off Main Street, 4:30-6 p.m. 

 

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) keeps active with land conservation, trails, projects, and more: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 for information. You can support SCLT with donations, volunteering, and through Amazon Smile. Contact “Trail Boss” Chuck Hearon at chearon1942@gmail.com about leading a hike, or helping clear trails. The next Walk in the Woods is on June 5 to  Blake’s Peak. Hikers will walk to the top of Blake’s Peak and back–this is a steep hike. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. 

 

Do you know about Saluda’s Living in Place (SLIP)? With a little help from SLIP, your senior neighbors may be able to age safely in their own homes. If you know someone who needs help, with their permission, you can contact SLIP’s Trained Program Coordinator at (828) 749-0049 or email at www.slipnc.org/contact  (all information is confidential)

 

Saluda Pop-Up Pantry is Tuesday from 1-6 at Saluda Presbyterian Church, 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). To volunteer at the Pantry, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, at 828-749-9740.  Paper goods are always needed as donations: paper towels, toilet paper, etc. You can mail tax-deductible donations to Saluda Pop-Up Pantry, P.O. Box 428, Saluda, NC 28773 or donate online at www.saludapantrycom.  

 

Community potluck and bingo night at Saluda Center is May 30, 6 p.m. Bring a side dish to share; main entree provided. 

 

Mark calendars for the 58th Annual Coon Dog Day on July 9, 12-9:30 p.m. Good news: the Saluda 5K will be back as well—this is a project/ fundraiser for Saluda Elementary School. The run begins on Main Street at 8 a.m. and follows the traditional Coon Dog Day 5k route: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Saluda/CoonDogDayRace

 

Happy May Birthday to Amy Copeland, Corinne Gerwe, Chris Anderson, Mark Jackson, Cary Pace, Lisa Hipp, Trevor Young, Paul Marion, Jesse Thomas, Margaret Sease, Elizabeth Baldwin, Chad Baldwin, Lynn Cass, Thelma Jones, Betsy Burdett, Melia Bradley, June Taylor, Robin Kirby, Kevin Matthews, Susan Warrick, Robin Bradley, and Stella Barnett. Add your birthday to the list—it’s a longtime promise no ages are mentioned unless you’re under two or over 100! 

 

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