“Let me not be tied down to property or praise and I shall be free. Free from the nagging ache of envy. Free from the hurts of resentment. Free to love all and forgive all. Free to do and say what is right, regardless of the unpopularity. Free to wander everywhere as inspiration guides me.” ~ Francis of Assisi

Around this house, Scrooge got her Christmas tree(s) up early this year, even before turkey overload.

Even a scrooge can gaze at twinkling lights and remember Christmas Past. Sometimes, you just need magic in the evening, rather than watching evening news!

Speaking of magic, little elves singing carols made a pit stop by the front porch. I let them all in to see the magic lights.

They’d come by for lighting tips from Scrooge. Go figure.

No matter how much of a Grinch you are — or Scrooge for that matter — bright-eyed elves wearing Santa hats make a heart smile. When they sing in sweet child voices, you can’t resist believing in magic (for proof of smiling elves that really do exist, take a look at the picture).

Scrooge’s heart melted faster than a Hershey’s Kiss in the hand.

• Saluda Welcome Table at Saluda United Methodist Church resumes in 2019.

• Join in for a SCLT wreath-making day at Twin Lakes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Thanks to Polk County Community Foundation for sponsoring this family-oriented event! In case of inclement weather (rain or too cold), the event will be at Saluda Presbyterian Church. Bring clippers if you have them. Saluda Community Land Trust can be reached at SCLT’s office at 828-749-1560 or saludasclt.org. Keep SLCT in mind when making those holiday donations!

• Historic Saluda Committee will meet at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Saluda Public Library in the upstairs meeting room. The public is invited to attend. Learn more at historicsaluda.org.

• Saluda’s annual Hometown Christmas is from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, with an Ecumenical service at 8:15 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church.

• The Children’s Christmas Workshop is from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Saluda Fire Department; free for kids 5 and older. If you’d like to be a helper, call Laura Fields at 828-749-4521.

• The Saluda Police Department/City Hall are accepting unwrapped toys/donations for Saluda children. Donations need to be turned in to city hall by Monday, Dec. 17. For information, call Jessica at 828-749-2581.

• Did you know our library has a Saluda Chess Club? Meet at 4 p.m. on Thursdays. Players of all ages and experience ranges welcome.

• Saluda School will be taking a holiday break from Dec. 22-Jan. 2. Students return to school on Jan. 3. Remember to collect those specially-marked hot pink box tops on many food products and send them to the school office. Saluda School receives 10 cents for each; the money is used to purchase books for the Books Are Really Fun program, where every student gets to choose and keep three to five free books each year!

• Happy December birthday to Judy Ward, Holly Wilkes, Theresa Wilkes, Perry Ellwood, Donnie Hunter, Jeff Bradley, Preston Mintz, Carolyn Morgan, Susan Casey, Jeff Jenkins, Nikki Ammerman, Cas Haskell, Mary O. Ratcliffe, Laura Fields, Lord Blanton, Beth Brand, Jim Carson and Tom DeKay. Happy-belated November birthday to Shirley Chamberlain!

Thank you for reading this column; as ever, the goal is to make you feel like you’re enjoying small town life in a friendly mountain town called Saluda. Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, 828-749-1153 or visit bonniebardosart.com.