Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Where does the noise of it all go
If not into the ears, then hearts of the birds all around us,

Their hearts beating so fast and their equally fast
Wings and high songs,

And the bees, too, with their lumbering hum,
And the wasps and moths, the bats, and the dragonflies—

None of them sure if any of this is going to work,
This universe—we humans oblivious,

Drinking coffee, not quite awake, calm and moving
Into the slippers of our Monday mornings,

Shivering because, we think,
It’s a little cold out there. 

~ Alberto Ríos, excerpt from “December Morning in the Desert”

 

December arrives in a sweep of leaves, perfume of evergreens wreathed around her winter cloak. This time of year, you can spot waterfalls, rocks and winding roads that never get noticed amid summer’s lushness. 

 

I like how grass carpet lies low to earth, soaring wings rustle overhead, bright cardinals ornamenting branches, holly berries close by. 

 

The old favorite L.L.Bean slippers wear thin at the toe, the ancient wool cardigan sports a few extra holes, but morning coffee steams in mug, chilled hands clasped around welcome warmth before sun rises over oak trees, birds moving slow too. After all, it’s a little cold out there. 

 

Learn about Saluda Community Land Trust by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. Wreath making is December 7 at Twin Lakes, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., sponsored by Polk County Community Foundation. 

 

Saluda Historic Depot is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saluda Train Tales, “A Perry Como Christmas in Saluda” will be December 20, 7:00 p.m. The Depot will be closed January/February. 

 

Ward’s Grill hosts a free veterans’ breakfast for all military veterans on the third Thursday of each month; the next one is December 19 from 7:00 a.m.11:00 a.m. Saluda Living in Place has their free veterans’ breakfast on the 1st Wednesday each month at Saluda Fire Station, 9:00 a.m. 

 

The Saluda Community Table resumes January 9 at Saluda Center.

 

The community pop-up pantry is every Tuesday, 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church, 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). The pantry partners with the Asheville MANNA food bank; to volunteer, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, 828-749-9740. Donations can be mailed to Church of the Transfiguration, designated for the Pop-Up Pantry, 72 Charles Street, Saluda NC 28773. 

 

Saluda Singles will have a potluck meal, December 9, 5:00 p.m. at Saluda Center. 

 

You can purchase Pace Park pavers as gifts to honor a loved one or to support the community park project. Obtain forms at city hall, city website, or contact Catherine Ross at carnc@charter.net. 

 

The City of Saluda is accepting unwrapped new toys/donations before December 13 for the annual holiday toy drive for Saluda children.

 

Historic Saluda Committee meets December 13, 2:00 p.m. at Saluda Library; the public is welcome.  

 

Congratulations to Kevin Burnett and the Saluda School Lego Robotics Team who won the 

Lego Championship over 51 participating schools! Team members are: Aidyn Brown, Rebecca Cannon, Ross Dow, Luke Garrison, Walker Paulson, Talon Ramsey, Madalyn Varnadore, Charlie Wagoner, Louisa Wood, and Julianna Wierzbicki.

 

Please remember Autumn Care residents…many would appreciate a visit, a card, or a kind gesture during the holidays. Autumn Care of Saluda is located at 501 Esseola Drive; for more information call 828-749-2261.

 

Saluda Sympathy goes to Jerry Greenhoot for the loss of his wife Katherine.

 

Saluda Get-Well goes to Blake Dickson. 

 

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. Please add your birthday to the list! 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 749-1153, or visit bonniebardosart.com