“I hope you will go out and let stories happen to you, and that you will work them, water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom.” 

~ Clarissa Pinkola Estes

It seems that it was a very long, long time ago when people told stories often—stories were a part of existence. Before the written word, there was the spoken word. History was passed down by word of mouth, one generation to another. Cavemen sat together before the fire and spoke of the Great Dinosaur Hunt, the one that got away. (Fishermen still share that one in other versions.) Aborigines in Australia told how the stars sing. Grandparents told their grandchildren about how it was “back when,” how they walked to school 10 miles away through 10 feet of snow. I believe that is still a good story in use to this day.

Children sit together and make up stories that they’ll remember even after they’re old. Stories of history, ancestors, animals, ghosts, magic, past days, woven into something larger, a hand-stitched quilt patched bit by bit into a history. There’s something mesmerizing and comforting about sitting, telling tales (tall or not) around a fire, remembering the past, secure in the lull of taking, sharing.

Perhaps these little columns are a form of that, each week. I think we need stories, to keep us human. A shared fire, a gathering that we watch together, a feeling of being connected with others who need to hear again and again.

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday at Saluda Methodist Church from 5:30-6:45. All welcome, donations appreciated.

There’s still time to order an engraved brick/paver for Pace Park in the alley by M.A. Pace Store. Drop off applications and payment to City Hall or mail to City of Saluda, 6 Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773. Proceeds will go toward building public restrooms. For information, contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.

Learn more about Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. Monthly meetings are the first Wednesday each month, 3 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church.

Saluda Downtown Foundation meets on the second Tuesday of the month at Saluda Library.

Sing with the Saluda Community Singers, Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. at Old St. Matthews Church at 396 Irving Street. This is a community chorus, all welcome!

Saluda Center Potluck and Bingo night is Jan. 30 at 6 p.m.

Calling all artists: the Saluda Business Association invites you to enter the juried Saluda Arts Festival on May 20, 2017. Entry deadline is March 17. Visit saluda.com to link to the arts festival page.

Pearson’s Falls is closed through January.

Did you know that Saluda and Carunchio, Italy are Sister Cities? Two Carunchio residents will visit Saluda in February; the mayor of Carunchio along with five delegates will visit us in the spring.   

Happy January Birthday to Nora Parks Anderson, Brandy Bradley, Alex Bardos, Carolyn Ashburn, Scott Kinard, Donna Bond, Greer Eargle, Wyatt Alan Pace, Irma Anderson, Paul Aaybe, Phyllis Arrington, Kenneth Justus, Cheryl Harbin, and Avery Lena Mintz.

Saluda Get Well wishes go to Doris Marion, Cissy Thompson, Peggy Wolf, Rita Igoe and Mary Ann Asbill, along with all those who’ve been down with the flu.

Thank you for reading this column, dear readers. As ever, the goal is to make you feel like you’re enjoying small town life in a friendly little mountain town called Saluda.  Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153. I always love hearing from you. Or visit bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or Facebook.