What is a hero?

Published 11:02 am Thursday, April 6, 2023

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What is a hero, Dear Reader? Someone who hogs the stage daily, or someone who prefers to be known as “anonymous” when establishing a scholarship in memory of our own Tryon Daily Bulletin’s journalist Leah Justice who died far too soon? 

Today, I saw heroes volunteering at our food pantry. Heroes are those selfless, brave law officers who rushed in the Nashville school shooting–they didn’t hesitate or spend hours deciding what to do. They DID it. 

A hero is not necessarily a wealthy famous person, although one could be–I can name a few that give away their wealth in order to benefit others. 

There are those regular everyday heroes who are figuring out how to feed the hungry and take care of the sick. They are the teachers, librarians, janitors and those who toil, often unnoticed and underpaid, pushing wheelchairs, picking up garbage, changing bedsheets and diapers, bagging groceries, sweating at yard work or picking crops in blistering fields. We know them: our medical workers, firefighters, volunteers— everyday people like me and you.  

There’s the postal worker who leaves me a smiley face; the UPS driver who always brings packages to the door; the happy young man who hands me an oatmeal cookie at the bakery at no charge. 

There’s the kind soul who makes things better for someone else, every day, whether noticed or not. Bless those souls, for they make this world a better place with humble, kind, loving hearts. Thank you. Thank you. 

Happy Easter, in honor of one of the kindest, most humble, loving people this Earth ever has known. Let us take a lesson….

 

Saluda Winter Market is at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street, on 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 9-1 through April. 

 

Saluda Community Table’s next dinner is April 12, 5:30-7 p.m. at Saluda Fire Department.  The meal is free, and donations are appreciated. Bring your own tableware and go green! 

 

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) will have a wildflower walk on April 16. Walkers will enjoy early wildflowers on a privately-owned trail down to the Pacolet River. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. to carpool. For information, visit saludaclt.org or call Terri Arrington at 828-749-1560. (Mark your calendar for SCLT’s annual meeting on May 11, 5:30-7:30 at Saluda Center.) 

 

The Saluda Historic Depot and Museum is now open. The popular Saluda Train Tales resumes on April 21, 7 p.m. with James Metcalf presenting the story of early Saluda, going back in time before Saluda became chartered in 1881. To arrange a tour for groups and organizations, contact Mike Reeves at 828-674-9598 or  email Nita High at nitahigh@rsnet.org

 

Saluda Living in Place (SLIP), a nonprofit organization to help seniors age in place, can help those 60+ in the greater Saluda community with home safety and more. SLIP (website www.slipnc.org) can be contacted at (828) 749-0049. 

 

Saluda Visitor Center at 20 W. Main Street is open 7 days a week, 11-4:30. 

 

The 18th Saluda Arts Festival is May 20 from 10-4; volunteers are needed to sign up for shifts. If interested, contact Linda Bailey at boblindabailey@hotmail.com

 

Saluda Get-Well goes to Shane Varnadore who was injured in a rope/tree incident. Shane underwent surgery in Spartanburg and will be out of work. A GoFundMe page for “Shane Varnadore and Family” has been set up if you’d like to contribute. 

 

Happy April Birthday to Melody Gibson, Dave Prudhomme, Kaye Vazquez, Cindy Keeter, Hope Pace, Diane Pace, Greaton Sellers, Clay Arrington, Bonnie Bardos, Luther Connor, Gary Pace, Doug Honeycutt, Julie Roy, Taylor Thompson, Loretta Cook, Hilda Pace, Elizabeth Taylor, Laura Morgan, Roberta Cart, Joan Beddingfield, Anne Lee and Mabel Pace.

 

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