When Feb. 1 rolls around, many in Saluda will be found reminiscing about the early days of their cozy abode.
By February 1881, the boundaries of Pace Gap had become so overflowing with newcomers that the people acquired a charter naming the town Saluda. The charter was officially signed on Feb. 1, 1881.
Community members plan to commemorate the charter by gathering at town hall and police department Saturday, Feb. 5 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The group decided to celebrate the anniversary throughout the year.
Catherine Ross said a committee of residents designed a logo to display on posters and on a banner made to hang across Main Street.
“130th we consider a major milestone,” Ross said. “We have seen many towns try to do one big celebration but it doesn’t always reach everybody; you may be sick or out of town. We want the entire community to be able to get involved and celebrate.”
The kick-off event on Feb. 5 will include homemade cookies and cider. Someone from the Historic Saluda Committee will also be on hand to discuss needed renovations to town hall.
The committee also hopes to host special event each month throughout the year including nature walks, antique cars shows, school plays, home tours and square dancing, to name a few ideas.
Committee members include Ross, Judy Ward, Greaton Sellers, Terry Baisden, Barbara Cardais, Walter Hoover, Eva McCray, Linda Whitaker and Charlene Pace.
Saluda commissioners approved a $700 allocation for the year-long celebration during the commissioners’ meeting Jan. 17. The committee plans to use the money to purchase a large banner to hang across Main Street, as well as posters.
In other news:
• Commissioners received a report that the town received $4,405 in donations for the holiday toy drive. A total of $1,155 remains for 2011 Christmas purchases.
• Finance director Ron Cole reported that the town has received $814 in donations for the oral history project.
• City administrator Erny Williams told commissioners that $875 was spent for additional labor needed to respond to the snow event over Christmas weekend. Williams said the city originally spent $2,900 for the original batch of salt and sand. He said the town currently has 16 tons or almost all of the salt left.
Commissioner George Sweet thanked city workers and Cole for their work during both the Christmas and most recent snow.
“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the city staff including the police department,” Sweet said. “Those people were out there working hard.”