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Moon dance,

you were not to blame. 

 

Nor you, 

lovely white moth.

 

But I saw you together. 

 

~ Alfred Kreymborg, “Dance”

 

A few days ago I was outside doing a bit of this and a bit of that—netting sodden fall leaves out of the fish pond, checking freeze damage on roses, while now and then gazing up at the January sky and bare trees, when I spied tiny buds on one tree’s branches, just waiting quietly for spring ahead. Dear Reader: you know that was a lift to the heart!

 

Katherine May, the author of “Wintering” writes: “The tree is waiting. It has everything ready. Its fallen leaves are mulching the forest floor, and its roots are drawing up the extra winter moisture, providing a firm anchor against seasonal storms. Its ripe cones and nuts are providing essential food in this scarce time for mice and squirrels, and its bark is hosting hibernating insects and providing a source of nourishment for hungry deer. It is far from dead. It is in fact the life and soul of the wood. It’s just getting on with it quietly. It will not burst into life in the spring. It will just put on a new coat and face the world again.”

 

January’s on her way out, and we humans, along with the wise trees, are waiting. Sleet, snow, winter still ahead—but there are buds already. 

 

Saluda Winter Market is at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street, on 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 9-1 through April. You’ll find fresh veggies, canned jellies, pickles, sauerkraut, etc., fresh-baked goods, locally-sourced meat, homemade soup, eggs, honey, and crafts. 

 

The 18th annual Saluda Arts Festival is scheduled for May 20. “Many of the artists who exhibit at the Saluda Arts Festival have been coming every year for 18 years,” says Lynn Casey, executive director of Saluda Downtown Foundation, Inc., sponsor of the event. “The event started in 2003 and was on a 2-year interruption during the pandemic which did not deter the popular festival in 2022 with over 90 artists,” Lynn notes. For information, visit saluda.com. Applications are due by March 1. 

 

Saluda Library’s featured artist for January/February is local artist Oliver Hoyt. 

 

Potluck and bingo night at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street is January 30 at 6 p.m. Bring a side dish to share. 

 

Saluda Living in Place (SLIP) sponsors a free breakfast for all veterans living in 28773. Held on the first Wednesday at 0900 every month at Saluda Fire Department, come share coffee, breakfast and camaraderie. 

 

Saluda Community Table’s next meal will be a Mediterranean-inspired menu on  February 8, 6 p.m. at Saluda Fire Department. Bring your own utensils/plate/cup. 

 

Saluda Pop-Up Pantry is every 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. You can mail tax-deductible donations to Saluda Pop-Up Pantry, P.O. Box 428, Saluda, NC 28773 or donate online at www.saludapantrycom; or through Amazon Smile.  A big thank-you goes to Saluda School for collecting donations for the pantry! 

 

The Historic Saluda Depot and Museum is closed for January and February. 

 

Saluda Visitor Center at 20 W. Main Street is open Thursday-Monday, 11-3.

 

Pearson’s Falls reopens in February. 

 

Happy January Birthday to Brandy Bradley, Carolyn Ashburn, Scott Kinard, Donna Bond, Greer Eargle, Wyatt Alan Pace, Irma Anderson, Paul Aaybe, Phyllis Arrington, Kenneth Justus, Cheryl Harbin, Avery Lena Mintz, Connie Scicluna, Ann Dudley, Charles Conner, Kristin Mode, Susan Parke, Rodney Gibson, Frank McNutt, and Chip Broadfoot. Add your birthday to the list! 

 

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