Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

“I’m climbing out of this season, fingernails ragged, belly soft. I tuck a stem of dried mint behind my ear to remind myself.” ~ Tamiko Beyer, excerpt from “February” 

 

Not too long ago, I left the doctor’s office, head hanging down in shame, dragging my winter self out to the car. Surely the scale in there needs replacement, the blood pressure cuff as well—those numbers were way out of line! Next time, I’ll take my shoes off. Those must weigh a good 20 pounds—maybe more! If the scale is broken, and shoes weigh more than concrete blocks, that just explains it all. (We humans just do NOT like the hear the truth, do we?) 

 

Every week, I sift through quotes and snippets of poems and piles of books for just the right thing to start this column off. Folks, it is not always easy. 

 

This time, as I was wandering down the proverbial rabbit hole for something appropriate, the right thing showed up. I bet we all feel like climbing out of this season! Happy February, Dear Reader: the good news is spring is getting closer, and this is a short month.  

 

The Saluda Winter Market is held at the Saluda Center, located at 64 Greenville Street, on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April. You’ll find fresh veggies, canned jellies, pickles, sauerkraut, fresh-baked goods, locally-sourced meat, homemade soup, eggs, honey, crafts and more!

 

Mark your calendar for SLIP’s (Saluda Living in Place) Mary Ann Hester and a sou chef’s cooking class at Saluda’s Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration (Parish Hall) on February 23 at noon. Enjoy food, fellowship and learning new recipe ideas for healthy winter meals, whether cooking for one or two, or for a crowd. The class is free, but space is limited: make reservations by February 16 by contacting SLIP’s office at (828) 749-0049 or emailing jem@rsnet.org

 

Saluda Community Table’s next meal will feature a Mediterranean-inspired menu on February 8. The meal is at 6 p.m. at the Saluda Fire Department. Bring your own utensils, plate and cup. 

 

The Historic Saluda Depot and Museum is closed through the end of February. 

 

Pearson Falls has reopened. 

 

Saluda Visitor Center at 20 W. Main Street is open Thursday-Monday, 11-3.

 

Congratulations to Cindy Keeter who is Saluda Senior Center’s board member of the month!  

 

Saluda Sympathy goes to the family of Martha Stoney Anderson: a long-time part of Saluda. You might see Martha at the park with a sparkly crown playing with her grandkids, or with a knitting project. She was one-of-a-kind! 

 

Saluda Get-Well goes to Greaton Sellers. 

 

Happy 142nd Birthday to Saluda! 

Happy February Birthday to Wylie Rauschenbach, Wesley Pace, Ginny Jones, Pam Thompson, Catherine Raymond, Eva McCray, Ellen Rogers, Margaret Miller, Paul London, Ward Sandahl, Bill Klippel, Dwight Smith, Ingrid Sandahl, Fred Baisden, Duane Bateman, Ragan Thompson, Laura Williams, Susan McMasters, Mark Gardner, Cappy Rearick, Linda Seagroves,  Irmy Chmielewski, Brian Lilburn, and Edie Campbell. 

 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 817-6765, P.O. Box 331, Saluda, NC 28773, Facebook, or visit bonniebardos.com