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Saluda News & Notations

By Bonnie J. Bardos

I like to live in the sound of water, in the feel of mountain air. A sharp reminder hits me: this world still is alive; it stretches out there shivering toward its own creation, and I’m part of it.

~ William Stafford, excerpt from “Time for Serenity, Anyone?”

 

Tough times bring out the best and the worst in people it seems. Over the past four years, I thought I’d seen a lot of the worst coming out. This spring as we shelter-in-place, I’ve seen a lot of good. I see our local bakery putting out food on Tuesday afternoons for those in need. Folks sharing money, food, or whatever they have to give with others in need: a reminder of what “community” is all about.

 

A former neighbor from ‘up the hill’ baked me a cake of real cornbread. Not that Jiffy-mix wanna-be-cornbread-stuff, no sir-ee. REAL cornbread, Dear Reader, cooked in an iron pan. With cracklings and a crisp crust.

 

She not only did that: she made a fixin’ of poke sallet for me. You have to make this before the poke gets too big, only the early, tender leaves will do. Now, how many people would do that? Go to all that trouble to make a country girl’s feast, then box it up right out of the oven and leave it off at the door, ready to eat? Thank you, Cissy.

 

It rained on the ‘39-again’ birthday, but wet skies didn’t dampen spirits. Brownies showed up, friends stood on the porch and visited from a safe distance, singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY! A friend dropped wine, books, and a birthday-stimulus check off the afternoon before. Friends called as they sat in their gazebo at night, our voices close in the dark, even if miles away. A wet day became sunny inside the heart. It’s interesting how grateful you get as the years fly by: one of the gifts of age, perhaps.

 

Another friend, who always says “I don’t want to see this in your column” does Good Deeds all the time for folks: from FENCE to Saluda. I better not call any names, but C. loaded up a pushmower, a can of gas, then brought both over to my house since I’ve been trying to get yard work done at two places til one’s sale closes…finally. Naturally the old mower of mine did not survive winter. Not calling any names on the Good Deed person, so I can’t get in trouble.

 

Kindnesses keep on coming during these hard times. I think kind folks just get kinder if that’s possible, and the meaner ones suddenly stick out like sore thumbs. Me, I’m just chowing down, mowing, and keeping spirits up thanks to you. We’re in this together.

 

The Saluda Tailgate Market’s opening will be delayed until June.

 

Good News: The Community Pop-up Pantry will be re-opening for drive-thru only; Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church parking lot. Please follow guidelines for car line-up. 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. Your donations and support are needed more than ever!

 

Keep up with Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT)’s latest projects: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 to learn more. Trail help and donations always appreciated.

 

Visit Saluda.com to see updates, plus take-out/on-line ordering information thanks to Saluda Business Association.

 

Happy May Birthday to Amy Copeland, Corinne Gerwe, Chris Anderson, Mark Jackson, Cary Pace, Lisa Hipp, Trevor Young, Jemme Latell, Paul Marion, Jesse Thomas, Margaret Sease, Elizabeth Baldwin, Chad Baldwin, Lynn Cass, Thelma Jones, Betsy Burdett, Melia Bradley, June Taylor, Robin Kirby, and Kevin Matthews.

 

 

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