“…The poetry of earth is ceasing never:
 

On a lone winter evening, when the frost
Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills
The Cricket’s song, in warmth increasing ever,

And seems to one in drowsiness half lost,
The Grasshopper’s among some grassy hills.”

~ John Keats, excerpt from “On the Grasshopper and Cricket”

 

The front yard fishpond has finally given up its thick layer of ice, and golden-orange whirls shimmer deep underneath the surface as baby goldfish dance with the bigger ones. I lift out sodden leaves dripping in the pond sieve, discovering one small frog fallen victim to the cold, but hear another croaking delightedly about spring, spring, coming soon! Life goes on around this peaceable kingdom.

A happy River dog and I walk after dinner on the first daylight saving evening to the Saluda dog park. He pulls, I follow. We find Dave Prudhomme and his drill at work on the front gate, so stop for a chat, figuring Dave might need a little break. Dave is one of the reasons we have such a nice dog park, and he’s one of the first people in town to volunteer for putting up fences, forking mulch, building dog jumps, or other tasks involving hard work, whether it’s working on the dam at Twin Lakes, or other worthy projects for our Saluda Community Land Trust. Of course, he’s not alone, but he sure is one of the first to step up to get ‘er done. That’s just how he is.

River barks playfully at Dave, enjoying a little extra attention from his friend, as I bend down and order him to hush, not to interrupt his elders. Dave just smiles. You can tell he’s a dog lover. Despite the sinking sun, he enjoys a visit with us. I admire how he’s filled in the entrance with new dirt, mended the fence and other tasks. Thank you, Dave, I say—in honor of all the happy pooches and their people who enjoy the park. Thank you, Dave. He actually blushes, he’s so humble. What a good guy, I tell River as we head toward home.

Later on as the evening stills and darkens, I look down to where the sun’s sinking in the west, and Dave’s truck is still there at the dog park, he’s still at work. Marilyn, Dave’s wife heads by in her white wagon with their dogs, ready to round him up for Sunday dinner after the dogs romp a minute. Another good soul, watching out for Dave, another giving person. I love it. Only in a small town with a big heart.

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday, with dinner served from 5:30-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church.  All are welcome; donations are accepted.

North Carolina’s Arbor Day Celebration, SCLT and the City of Saluda will partner with Tree City USA for a tree planting on March 20 at 1 p.m. at the Ella Grace Memorial Stage at McCreery Park downtown Saluda, when the city will receive the Tree City USA award. The Saluda branch of Tree City USA meets at 5:30 p.m. at Saluda Library the fourth Thursday of each month.

 

The Historic Saluda Committee with the Oral History Committee meets Friday, March 13 from 2-4 p.m. at Saluda Library. The public is invited.

 

“Walks in the Woods” begin again on March 15 and continue through November on the first and third Sundays of the month. Meet at Saluda Library at 2 p.m. to carpool. Contact Chuck Hearon at 828-749-9886 or 828-817-0364 for information. Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) will benefit from your donations or time as a volunteer for their many community projects. For information, contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org

 

Saluda Garden Club will meet on March 23 at 10 a.m. at Saluda Library for a tailgate seed exchange. 

Come enjoy a Saluda Center potluck and bingo night, March 30 at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome; bring your favorite dish to share!

 

Happy March Birthday to: Faye Chandler, Genell Jespersen, Charlene Pace, Valerie Mintz, Sheldon Mintz, Curtis Pace, Anita Odgen Moore, Charles Weinhagen,  Kevin Kerr, Dorrie McKinnley, Catherine Ross, Jane Fox, Beverly Pickard, Monica Pace, Ken Justus,  Elizabeth Justus, Henry Bright, and Arlene Klippel.  Please add your birthday to the list!

 

Saluda get-well wishes go out to Hop and Rita Foster, Holly Wilkes and Mary Alice Judy.

 

Thank you dear readers, for reading this column! Whether you live here, or just wish you were here, the goal is to make you feel welcome in this friendly little mountain town called Saluda. You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, call 749-1153, visit bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.

 

 

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