‘Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.’

~ Thomas Merton

Welcome to mid-February Saluda news and notations!

Every time the sun shines outside on frozen mornings, I find myself hunting for signs of spring: crocuses pushing up under pine needles, daffodils peeking out and tight buds on tree limbs. There is nothing like finding the first daffodil to brighten the heart and give hope! Every year, I’m like a kid out there hunting. Spotting camellias in bloom during the winter months down the mountain also brighten the day.

Don’t forget to wish a Happy Anniversary to Saluda. One hundred and thirty years have passed Saluda was chartered as a town in 1881, and the town is having a year-long celebration with something planned every month! You can find more information at www.cityofsaludanc.com.

Also, Saluda School students’ birthday cards to Saluda are displayed throughout town. Look for Donation Trains on display at designated areas in town. Donations may be made to “Keep the Celebration on Track” and will be used for expenses throughout the year. Any money not used will go directly to the renovation of City Hall. Anniversary T-shirts will be for sale; proceeds will be used to help with celebration expenses and may go to the renovation of City Hall as well.

Members of the 130th Committee include: Charlene Pace, Judy Ward, Linda Whitaker, Eva McCray, Walter Hoover, Nora Parks Anderson, Terry Baisden, Catherine Ross, Greaton Sellers and Caroline Farris. Be sure to thank these hard workers for their time and effort to make this a special year ahead!

Happy Birthday to: Wylie Rauschenbach, Wesley Pace, Biddie Dawson, Paul Gosselin, Amy Beeson, R. Lindsay and B. Jones. Please add your birthday to the list!

Art News: The Saluda Center will feature work by Polk County Art Students from grades 9-12. The exhibit can be enjoyed from Feb. 12 – March 4 at the Center, 64 Greenville Street during regular center hours. All are invited to come by. For additional information, please contact Anne Jameson at 828-749-3101.

Community news: Saluda Community Land Trust (828-749-1560) at www.saludaclt.org is only $25 a year to join—it’s a tax-exempt organization that needs (and appreciates!) donations—which can be specified on how used.

This past week, on a nice day, I hitched up Pooh to his leash, and he took me on a walk along Chestnut Street, back all the way to the gate at the town’s old dump, which SCLT has plans to turn into a nice walking trail area. SCLT has already started tackling kudzu and doing clean-up in that area.

Don’t forget the community pot luck at Saluda Center, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. Bring your favorite dish to share!

As ever, thank you, dear readers in Bulletin land for reading this column!

The goal is to make you feel like we’re enjoying a hot cup of tea together—your comments are always wanted and valued.

Keep in mind if you have something of note, feel free to e-mail me at bbardos@gmail.com; or call me at 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com.