Saluda Property & Real Estate

A Quick Saluda Market Update (comparing 2010 sales to date with 2011 sales as of October 31, 2011)

Sales               Closed   Pending

Homes 2011         26           6
Homes 2010         20           0
 
Land 2011              9           0
Land 2010              7           0

Homes and land sales have increased compared to this time last year, a positive indicator for real estate sales in Saluda. Data taken from Western NC multiple listing service. 

Click here to read the 2010 Saluda Real Estate Market Report.

Annual Turkey Dinner

Saturday November 12th

5:00 pm-7:30 pm

Saluda School Cafeteria

Adults $8.00, Children (to age 12) $4.00

Take outs available.

"The Economics of Happiness" a film, will be shown at the Saluda Center on Thursday, November 10 from 6:00-8:00 pm. A discussion will follow the film. Presented by Transition Hendersonville and Polk. All are welcome to attend.   For more information, contact Steve Breckheimer at 828-749-9104.

Line dance each Monday at 12:30pm.

Book club meeting on Monday, November 7 at 2:00pm.

Single Women United potluck dinner will be on Thursday, November 17 at 6:00pm.

Bridge every Tuesday from 10am-2pm.

Please refer to the Saluda Center calendar for all regularly scheduled activities.

There is no membership fee.

If you would like to receive the Saluda Center calendar via email, please contact

Donna at saludacenter@hotmail.com to be added to our email list.

A Thrifty Barn's basement is OPEN Wed., 10am-4pm, donations accepted, and basement sales every 1st and 3rd Sat. from 9am-3pm. A Thrifty Barn is OPEN Wed.-Sat., 10am-4pm, donations accepted  on Wed. Please call 749-3320 for more information.

Transition Night at the Movies

WHO:  Transition Hendersonville and Transition Polk County

WHAT:  "The Economics of Happiness" a film by Helena Norberg-Hodge, Steven Gorelick, and John Page

WHEN:Thursday November 10^th, 2011

6 :00- 8:00 PM

WHERE:Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street, Saluda, NC 28773

ALL ARE WELCOME!

THERE IS NO COST FOR THIS EVENT

Transition Hendersonville and Transition Polk County, local chapters of an international effort to inspire communities to find sustainable ways to live and thrive, will be showing the film THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS on Thursday, November 10^th from 6 -8 PM at the Saluda Center in Saluda, NC. A discussion session will follow after the film.

The film makes a clear case that "going local" is a powerful strategy to help repair our fractured world - our ecosystems, our societies, and ourselves.  Far from the old institutions of power, people are starting to forge a very different future in communities across the world.

This documentary features Vandana Shiva, Bill McKibben, David Korten, Michael Shuman, Juliet Schor, Richard Heinberg, Rob Hopkins, Andrew Simms, Zac Goldsmith, and Samdhong Rinpoche.

Transition Hendersonville and Transition Polk County envision resilient, healthy, and productive communities and are working to reduce our individual and collective carbon footprint and to build relationships with each other in the face of economic uncertainty, climate change, and the end of cheap oil.

For more information, go to transitionhendersonville.com.  To get on our email newsletter list contact Susan at susieobrien@gmail.com.  For more information about this event, please contact Steve Breckheimer at 828-749-9104.   

In 2006, members of The Saluda Masonic Lodge began an annual project of manning The Salvation Army Red Kettle in downtown Saluda during the  Christmas Season.  The response from the community and visitors was very positive.  We realized from the beginning that the foot traffic on Main Street was very light during the first part of the week, so we decided that it would be best to just ring the bell on Friday and Saturday as  the Salvation Army does not ring on Sunday. The citizens of Saluda and our visitors were very generous with their giving and we counted our first year a great, success.  A week or two into our second year, we had our first "civilian" to step up and offer to ring the bell for us.  This was Fred Baisden, who as you know is now our Mayor.  Before our second  year was ended, we had several others from the community to join us.  With these volunteers came others, and now after five Christmas Seasons we realize this is now a community project.  I'm also happy to report to you that due to the efforts of these volunteer men and women, the citizens of the Saluda community, and our visitors, we have collected more than  $6500.00  for The Salvation Army.  Even in these times of uncertainty, the Lord has blessed our efforts and we are thankful.

This year, we will again be on Main Street beginning the day after Thanksgiving.   Friday,  November 25th.  Our times to ring are: 11am until 1pm, 1pm until 3pm, 3pm until 5pm.

One Stop Voting One (you can register and vote at the same time) begins 10/20/2011 and ends 11/05/2011. The only site is in the Columbus office (Womack Building) for all 3 towns/cities - Saluda, Columbus or Tryon.

Absentee by mail paper ballots must be back in the Columbus office by

5 p.m. on 11/06/2011 to be counted.

Municipal Elections will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on 11/08/2011 in Saluda, Columbus and Tryon.

For more information call Karen Lawrence at the Polk County Board of Elections, 828-894-8181, or e-mail her at karengumdrop@inbox.com.

The Rehab program has been growing over the past several months with a number of new therapists and assistants joining our staff. As their case loads have expanded, so has the need for more space for our rehab work.

Based on those needs, we are expanding our rehab gym into the Living Room on Side 2, doubling the space for therapy. "This move will help with several important aspects of rehab," said Matilda Patrick, OT, and Rehab Manager. "With the expanded space we will have the ability to see more residents who need therapy support, and we will finally have all of the rehab space in one location," she said. At present, the therapy staff office space is in a small room on the other side of the facility.

Another plus to the expansion will be the addition of several state-of-the art pieces of equipment, such as the Argo Walker.The Walker provides the optimum conditions to take that first step - a safe environment for both patient and therapist. The Walker goes on to play an important supporting role every step of the way during the initial stages of a patient's rehabilitation and ambulation training. 

Autumn Care of Saluda is a 99-bed Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center serving Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.  For more information call 828-749-2261 or visit their website at autumncareofsaluda.com.

An impressive white oak is the last in a series of significant representatives of Saluda's old trees provided by community members in commemoration of Saluda's 130^th anniversary.

The special tree towers above others near the turn onto Frost Road from Highway 176.  Undoubtedly, the splendid tree has endured many storms over generations and the ravages of time.  Damage is evident through dead or broken limbs, but it still stands regally with top-most branches reaching skyward.

The white oak characteristically is known for its unusual strength, hardness, and durability.  The oak has been of special importance on the Saluda grade railroad because, in the early days, it was used for making railroad ties.  Fortunately, this one was spared the woodman's ax.

The tree was suggested by Charlene Pace.  She and her family were residents of the Frost Road area for many years.  She recollects that in earlier times the tree served as a property line marker and a landmark for giving directions.

For information on the Preservation Association, please call Ruth at 828-749-9718 or Judy and Chuck at email JTS1@charter.net.

Thank you,

Ruth Anderson

November 26, 2011 at the Saluda Fire Department.  BBQ lunch is provided with a new $10 toy or a $10 donation.  All donations will benefit underprivileged children in Polk County.  Register 11am to 1:30pm.  50/50 Drawing/T-Shirts. Door prizes and Santa Claus.  A parade starts at 2:00pm thru downtown Saluda, Tryon, Columbus, and Landrum, ending at Columbus courthouse.  The event is sSponsored by the Polk County Law Enforcement, Saluda Fire Department, Thermal Belt Outreach, DSS, Steps to Hope, area motorcyclists, concerned citizens, and Saluda, Tryon and Columbus businesses, and Christian Motorcyclists Association.  For more information contact Barry Gee 828-817-3084 or Kim Pack 828-894-3001.

SCLT volunteers are hard at work improving our new walking trails in and around Saluda and attacking our local kudzu problems with a vengeance.

Our scheduled hikes are on the first and third Sunday of the month (weather permitting). We meet in the parking lot of the Saluda Library at 2pm. Come join us and see some of Saluda's beautiful natural landscape.

Betsy Burdett will be leading the November 6^th hike to the "Waters of Camp Creek" and Chuck Hearon will lead the hike on November 20^th along the "Lazy Girl Loop." For more information about the hikes, please contact Chuck Hearon 828-749-9886 or Nancy Barnett 828-749-4661.

Have you noticed any of our kudzu work sites around town? We are saving trees from this aggressive plant, and structures (even houses) are reappearing after being totally enveloped by kudzu. We have been spraying, cutting and decrowning by hand. "Kudzu Control Site" signs are being put up in areas that we are working and will continue to work.

Adopt a Highway cleanup day will be Monday, November 28^th with December 12^th as "bad weather" back up date. We meet at the library parking lot at 10am. We would love to have you come join us in this endeavor. It's fun, and we have learned how to do it safely and efficiently.

Don't forget that SCLT, in partnership with the City of Saluda and the Saluda Dog Society, has opened a dog park located on Chestnut Street. If your dog wants to RUN FREE and socialize, this is the place to do it! A lot of time and energy has been given to this project. Please feel free to use it, and if you need further information, contact Dave Prudhomme at 828-749-9172.

Did you know that we are an all-volunteer organization? You can join us and volunteer on a specific project anytime without a long-term commitment. And your $25 membership allows us to stay focused on our many hands on projects. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3), so any donation is tax deductible.

Please feel free to contact us about any of our projects by calling our office at 828-749-1560 to leave a message, and we will get back to you promptly. Also be sure to check out our updated website saludaclt.org.

The Saluda Garden Club enjoyed a tour of the North Carolina Arboretum for our October meeting. It was a perfect and beautiful day! We enjoyed walking the gardens and strongly suggest this field trip to put on your list of places to visit.

Our next meeting will be November 19^th. We will meet upstairs in the library at 10 AM. John Vining will be our speaker. The public is welcome.

We will not be meeting again until February but will continue to care for Spring Park throughout the year.

We have been collecting pictures and information about Spring Park. Do you have any articles or pictures that you could share with us? This is a very old site located in downtown Saluda behind City Hall, but not much written history has been found. If you know of a source or story you would like to share, please contact us.

For more information, please call Anita Severn at 828-749-3155 or Susie Welsh at 828-749-3900.   

The SBA meets the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm at the Saluda Library.  There are several types of memberships from Full membership to Associate membership.  For more information about the SBA and types of membership, please contact Susie Welsh at 828-749-3900 or email sswelsh@tds.net.

The Saluda Visitor Center has a new mural by Ray Pague funded by donations. Thank you to Saluda Lifestyles, Ben and Cynthia Iobst of Salamander, Susan and Stoney Lamar of Purple Onion, Glenn Pierce of Autumn Care, and Barbara and Scott Cardais. 

 Click here to visit saluda.com.  

Thanks for supporting your local, independent Saluda businesses. 

You can kick off your holiday shopping in Saluda during Hometown Christmas on Friday, December 9 from 6 to 8pm.  This annual event is sponsored by the Saluda Business Association. 

With the beautiful Fall weather here in the western North Carolina mountains, we hope you have been out to enjoy the vibrant colors and crisp cool days of the season.  

Latest from the Barks & Wags News...and more:

More about the rescued cat in August...he is named "Jasper" and has been lovingly adopted. His health is improving and he is thriving in his new home.  He is a sweet cat and well established with his new family and two friends, a Labrador and a Hound.   

A small Pomeranian-Terrier mix dog, called PupPup, has been frequently seen in the residential area above Main Street in Saluda.  Now in the process of being rescued by a designated family, he is comfortably approaching and entering the rescue crate.  We appreciate your support in allowing the rescue to continue solely by these dedicated individuals.  

So many "animals" need rescuing at times and even the littlest winged creature captures our attention.  In the late September cool spell, with hummingbird feeders still outside, a tiny hummingbird sat on a feeder too long, got much too cold, could not get her wings going to fly away, and simply fell to the ground.  Fortunately she was seen and quickly scooped up, placed in a soft towel to warm up and carefully watched.  In a very short while, she peeked further out from her cover, looked around, then took off with ease.  Another successful rescue for a happy little bird!  

The excitement is building about the Saluda Celebration Christmas Parade planned for Saturday, December 10^th.   It will be great fun for the community and your entire family, so be sure to include the Parade in your holiday planning.  The Saluda Dog Society will have a "Dog Walk - Pawrade" as part of the Christmas parade, and there will be ribbons awarded for different categories (ribbon judging will be 30 minutes prior to Parade start).  Join us for an enjoyable time competing in the fun!  You may call Pat Waring at 828-749-1332 or email SaludaDogSociety@yahoo.com for more information. 

The Grand Opening for the Saluda Community Dog Park will take place on Saturday, November 5^th at 11:00-12:00 Noon.  We look forward to seeing you there, and bring your dog if you wish to do so.  Grateful appreciation and thanks goes to the City of Saluda and the Saluda Community Land Trust for all their contributions and support in creating our special Dog Park, and also to the Saluda Dog Society for contributions to complete the park. 

Dog Etiquette is most important for our pets, and maintaining control of our dogs while in public is essential to the well-being of the dogs and the public. Having your dog on a leash, particularly in crowded places, is important, along with paying attention to your dog's behavior.  Regardless of the size, breed or temperament, all dogs can behave in a territorial manner and/or be frightened by loud noises, other dogs or people moving around them.Here are some general guidelines (from John Murias-dog trainer in the Carolinas):

• Always walk your dog on a leash no longer than 6 ft in crowded surroundings.
• Dogs require some space to introduce themselves.
• Be especially careful when children approach your dog.  (They sometimes approach too quickly and startle the dog.)
• No dog should be allowed to bark aggressively.
• Don't allow your dog to lunge towards any person, child or another dog.
• Remove your dog from any potentially hazardous situations.

Having a well behaved and trained dog adds years of happiness to your family and the dog.  Socializing your dog is an essential part of their training.  Make training an important part of your dog's life, yet have fun and be sure to give lots of praise and love.

Each month another dog breed is featured as Breed of the Month....and this month is the Maltese, one of the oldest lap dog breeds in history (found dating back to Greek and Roman times around 500 BC), and owned by royalty all over the world.  Developed in Italy, it was first recognized as a breed in Malta where they received their name.  They were then brought to England by Crusaders returning from the Mediterranean.  The AKC first recognized the Maltese breed in 1888.  The Maltese is a small, basically healthy and hardy dog with silky white or light ivory hair and a black nose; it is spirited, lively, playful, highly intelligent and is a classical companion dog living 15 or more years.  It is gentle, loving, trusting, devoted to its master and easily can take over the house with its charm and cuteness.  While Maltese love children, they do not always make the best pet for a child too young to understand about rough handling and play with a small dog.  If a Maltese is added to your family with young children, be sure to supervise their time together and teach young children how to play with a smaller breed.

A Maltese, so appealing with his trust and affection, thrives on love and attention and will capture your heart.  He is among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs while still being lively, playful and bringing great joy into your life. 

For more information on a Maltese, go to:   

   Dog Breed Info Center:

   dogbreedinfo.com

   American Maltese Association:

   americanmaltese.org

   American Kennel Club - Maltese:

   akc.org.

A fun informative video about Maltese: 

Maltese.

Quotation for November:  

"The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals."   ~Anonymous ~

We welcome and appreciate your suggestions, information and participation.  Support us to rescue or assist other animals in our community and to protect and support our loving pets. You may email  SaludaDogSociety@yahoo.com  or call Pat Waring at 828-749-1332.

If you have a favorite story or photo or a fun video to share about a special animal, please send them on to Linda Holden at SaludaDogSociety@yahoo.com

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, November 2 at 1:15 pm in the Saluda Library.

Mission Statement: 

"The Saluda Dog Society is a group of concerned citizens who work cooperatively with the City of Saluda and other organizations to assist stray and needy animals, with all efforts and funds received going directly toward accomplishing this mission, as well as providing education, recreational facilities, public awareness and advocacy.

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains un-awakened."  (Anatole France)

Remember....it takes a village to save animals.  Together we can...!!!

Enjoy the abundance of the season...and have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Saluda Elementary School

November 2011 Events 

November 2      Make Up Pictures by Strawbridge Studios

November 4      Faculty & Staff Dress Down for Charity

Nov 7-18           Yearbook Pre-Sale

November 8      Women's Club Meeting 10am in auditorium

November 10    Grades 2-5 to Children's Theater Festival atTryon Theater

November 11     Holiday---No School

November 18    PTSO Meeting at 8:15am

November 21    End of the 2^nd Six Weeks of School

November 23    Optional Teacher Workday

November 24    Holiday---No School

November 25    Holiday---No School

November 28    2^nd Six Weeks Report Cards

November 29    Saluda's Past Play  6:00pm in auditorium

November 30    Box Tops Collection Day

"Make A Difference Day"

Forty-four students, parents, and school friends came out on Saturday, October 22 from 9:00am-12:00pm for "Make A Difference Day!"  The group worked together to complete several outdoor projects, including raking, sweeping, weeding, spreading mulch, planting fall flowers, etc.  A special thank you to all who helped and to Mr. Obermiller (PTSO Team Leader) for organizing this event!

Community Tutors and Volunteers

Students who attend Saluda's After School Academy are really enjoying the special one-on-one reading time that they get to spend with the community tutors and volunteers!  Thank you to each of you who are spending time with these students! 

Saluda's 3^rd-5^th grade students will present the play,  "Saluda's Past" on Tuesday, November 29 at 6:00pm in the school's auditorium.  We hope to see you there! 

Visit Saluda School for additional school news.

US Post Office Store Hours

Mon-Fri 9:00am-1:00pm and 3:00pm-4:30pm

Sat 9:30am-11:00am Sun closed

Get directions by clicking here  

102 E MAIN ST SALUDA, NC 28773-7812 

That in 1916, after days of heavy rain, from a Gulf Coast storm Saluda flooded along with all towns in western NC. Read more... 

That the Saluda Train Depot was moved after 30 years from its original location by McCreery Park.  Tradition says the reason for the move was because when the train stopped at the depot, it was so long the end of the train hung down the grade.

That Saluda had its own wood-fired power plant that powered the town until the Lake Summit power plant was built.  

Mark your calendars and plan on these events throughout 2011.

December 4 - Free Christmas Concert at the Saluda Mountain Jamboree at 7pm.

December 9 - Christmas Tree Lighting, 7:00 pm. Downtown Main Street.

December 9 -Hometown Christmas from 6pm to 8pm. 

December 10 - Celebration Christmas Parade at 2pm.

Call Terry Baisden at 828-749-3789 if you have any questions about these events. All events are subject to change. 

Charlotte Lewis Brady, 81, passed away October 17, 2011.

Tim Taylor passed away October 24, 2011. 

Red oak leaf with pointed tips.

Losing an argument recently with a friend about how to tell the difference between a red oak leaf and a white oak leaf, I realized how hard it was to accept a change in something I was so sure was right. I apologize to all the people that I have misinformed about oak leaves.  Even though I learned the truth about the oak leaves, it was hard to accept this profound change in my thinking.

While November winds and rain sweep away the leaves, changes can be seen and heard in Saluda.  Honking geese land on mountain lakes as they migrate south, and fattened turkeys are seen feeding on insects in the fields and on roadsides. Saludians feel safe to leave out bird feeders while bears return to their sleeping quarters for the winter.  The whirr of chainsaws are heard in the air as Saludians clean broken limbs and stockpile wood for fireplaces and wood stoves.  Saluda shop owners stock up for holiday shoppers, and winter hours are posted on doors.

Nature changes in order to grow, survive, and thrive.  Unlike nature, we don't accept change as easily, and sometimes it takes losing a bet to accept a change. On the outside, Saluda historic downtown hasn't changed much in 130 years, but the people and what happens on the inside has been in constant change since its beginning. Because Saludians know to embrace the spirit and benefits of change (sometimes grudgingly), Saluda continues to grow, survive, and thrive.

Cathy Jackson

130th Birthday Celebration Events

Celebrate Saluda's 130th Birthday in November as the year of events starts to wind down.

November 11 - Singing for the Soldiers at 7:00 pm at the Saluda School Auditorium.

November 12- Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner by the Methodist Church at the Saluda School Lunchroom 5:30pm to 7pm.  

November 29 - Saluda School Pageant, "Saluda's Past," at 6pm, Saluda School Auditorium.

Think Christmas Spirit, and be a part of making history by participating in Saluda's first Christmas Parade.  The 130th Birthday Celebration Committee is beginning to finalize plans for the Saluda Christmas Parade scheduled for 2:00pm on Saturday, December 10.  If you would like to enter the parade, please contact Terry Baisden before Monday, November 14, by phone at 828 749-3789 or by email at terrybaisden@tds.net.  There is no entry fee to participate.  If you cannot be in the parade, then mark your calendars so you don't miss this inaugural event and miss all the fun!

Click here to see an update of the photo scrapbook of celebration events throughout the year.  

The winner(s) of the "Guess the Money in the Jar" will be announced on Tuesday, November 15.

With more than 42 local and regional artists exhibiting, Saluda's 130^th Birthday Celebration committee acclaims that the first "Visions of Saluda" art exhibit is a success.

The show held on October 28 and 29, was a planned event as part of the 130^th Birthday Celebration that Saluda has been celebrating since February 1, 2011, when Saluda turned 130 years old.

On exhibit and for sale were works of art that represented Saluda images including paintings, woodworking, pottery, photography, fabric art, and more.

The event launched the grand opening of the Upper Floor of Historic Thompson's Store/Ward's Grill, 24 Greenville Street, Saluda, NC. The upper floor of this nationally registered historic building had been closed to the public for decades.  Owners Clark Thompson and Judy Ward, have been restoring the building's upper floor since they purchased the establishment in May of 2010. "Visions of Saluda" was the first event to use this space. 

Twenty percent of the proceeds from sales went toward the 130^th Birthday Celebration fund- raising campaign to benefit the restoration of Saluda's city hall building.

The organizers would like to thank all the volunteers, artists, and community for supporting this event. 

The latest news and the unusual offerings provided by Saluda shops, restaurants, accommodations, outdoor recreation, artists, and craftspeople.

 Helping hands are now available from "Meanwhile, Back in Saluda" for chores and tasks you either do not have time to tackle or for  jobs needing help.

"Meanwhile, Back in Saluda" was started by the Asbill-Beck family ten years ago as cabin and vacation rentals from their Saluda property, with views of Hogback mountain and Brushy Ridge.  Recently, sons Casey and Patrick, expanded the family business to include  Care Taker services to help property owners who live out of town, and services to help both full and part-time residents of Saluda and Tryon.  Services include a wide range of help from  errands, yard care, pet care, house sitting, mail pick up and computer repair, just to name a few.       

Casey is a graduate of Brevard College with studies in Wilderness and Outdoor Education. Patrick is a graduate of AB Tech with an Associate in Arts degree with studies in computer science.       

"Meanwhile, Back in Saluda" offers cabin rentals, hiking trails, outdoor Wood Fired Ovens, herb gardens and now Care Taker and Helping-Hands Services.  If you need help with jobs big or small, one day or ongoing, give Casey or Patrick Asbill-Beck a call.      Casey or Patrick can be reached at 828-329-4038 or by email:  meanwhilebackinsaluda@gmail.com  

November Specials

Starting in November, our yearly tradition continues.  We will be offering all items on the "Appetizer and Small Bites" menu, reduced by $2.00 to $5.99, Tuesday's through Thursday's, all day and night. 

We still have our daily specials that includes a drink for $4.99.

Tuesday  - small pork sandwich with homemade slaw.

Wednesday - bowl of Brunswick stew and 1/2 grill cheese.

Thursday - bacon burger with fries.

Friday - bowl of smokehouse chili with garlic and Texas toast.

Pint Narragansett 1.50 everyday all day!

Become a Facebook fan and you will receive specials and $$ dollar off offers!

Contact Green River BBQ at 828-749-9892 for takeout orders or visit them at Green River BBQ.  Visit their Facebook page to get extra daily coupons!  

Green River BBQ is located at 131 Highway 176 West. Click here for directions.  

Joni Artisanal Wine and Beer is happy to be up and running.  I would like to thank all of the locals who have come in to show your support.  We are doing our best to make sure we have what you need, and if we don't, we will order it and have it on hand for you! 

Artisanal - My translation - Anything made in small batches, by hand, with care from someone who tries to produce quality and value.  Although there are many, we have selected 100 brands of wine and have a cooler full of Artisanal beverages.

Many of you know me from the Saluda Inn and Wine Cellar.  I am very excited to be able to expand by opening a wine shop. What it really means is I get to see many more Saluda people on a daily basis, and that is always great.  Aside from the great camaraderie that takes place behind these doors, I do spend a lot of time researching and tasting new wines - it is a dirty job but someone has to do it.  I have also had to take a crash course on beers.  It is amazing how many different ones there are!  Although the Bells Two Hearted and the Sierra Nevada Torpedo are my number one sellers, there are so many beers and so little time!  Just give me time!

Our wine racks get a lot of comments.  They are modeled after the Riddling Racks from Champagne, France and were hand made by my dear husband Richard and dear friend Skip.  They look great if I do say so myself. And we have brought a little of the locally grown grapes from outside and have hung them on the walls - and as if that wasn't enough, we have hung glass grape clusters on the Saluda Muscadine Grape Vines! In the center of the room is a big table where you can sit and have a glass of wine or a cup of Frank's coffee, check your email, hang out and visit with other locals who wander in throughout the day.  And if you don't feel like sitting - there are plenty of antiques and Amy Beeson herself.  This is just a great place to be. 

Our wines are hand picked from small vineyards throughout the world...from "farm to glass" in most cases.  It makes my job a whole lot more interesting and your job more fun, too!  BUT, we will order your favorite wine for you if we don't carry it.

We are located at Nostalgia Court, next to the Wildflour Bakery and Gardeners Cottage.  Stop by to take a look.  We always have a sample or two open.

Hours are:  

Monday-Closed

Tuesday-Saturday 10-6

Sunday-12:30-3:00

Tan-Tastic Tanning and Nail Salon Winter hours will be: Monday thru Thursday, 10am to 7pm , Friday, 10am till 6pm, and Saturday, 12 noon to 4pm, effective November 1.   November special is Regular, $25.00 a month, or with 3 upgrades, $30.00 a month. We also still have all our lotions at 25% off.  Please call to schedule your mani and pedi and waxing available every Monday from 10am to 5pm, and Tuesday from 10am till 7pm.  Please come by and get your gift cards for your loved ones, whether it be for tanning or nails. We wish each and every person a Happy Thanksgiving and as always, "Thank You" for your business.   Call 828-749-1000 for appointments.

Tan-Tastic is located at 18 Pearson's Fall Rd, Saluda.  Click here for directions.

Upper Floors of Historic Thompson's Store/Ward's Grill Opens

Historic Thompson's Store and Ward's Grill located in the heart of downtown Saluda wants to remind you that they have now opened the newly-renovated second floor and is accepting reservations for private family and business meetings! This charming multi-room space is perfect for gatherings of all types of special events:  birthday parties, family reunions,

Visions of Saluda Art Exhibit

wedding receptions, holiday soirees, company business gatherings, and social retreats. With five historically-refurbished rooms, plus a lovely new balcony, Thompson's Store can comfortably accommodate your parties, ranging in size from a cozy group of a dozen

Balcony

people to larger celebrations of over 100 people!  Our totally restored second-floor rooms, enhanced with numerous "Historic Charleston" paint colors, offer all the modern amenities (including an elevator and handicap-accessible restrooms) but retain their historic charm, hearkening back to the early 1900's when it served as a boardinghouse for railroad workers.  We will be happy to work with you to make your next special event a memorable one.  Please contact Judy Ward to book reservations or to make inquiries at 828-749-2321.

Also, Thompson's Store/Ward's Grill is now offering gift certificates in the amount of $10 or more; these will make great gifts for the holiday season.  Share one with someone you love so that they, too, can enjoy the charm of our 121-year-old store and partake of some of its famous merchandise, food, and drink!  Please visit the store or call Judy Ward to order.

Wildflour Bake Shop

November...really, there are so many great things about this month.  It does get chilly, and I am SO not a fan of cold weather, but it really makes me savor and appreciate those Indian Summer days that will be scattered throughout the month.  I love the smell of autumn leaves.  There are some wonderful folks with birthdays this month (one of my most favorite people in the whole world :)  ...And then there is THANKSGIVING!  Everything about that holiday makes me smile - friends, family, food.  Wildflour Bake Shop can make your Thanksgiving delicious and stress-free. Give us a call and place your order today!
                    *THANKSGIVING*
PIES: All made in our from-scratch, real butter crusts!       *Pecan - Sweet as a southern belle...with a sassy splash of bourbon
     *Apple - Packed full of fresh, local apples with a touch of cinnamon
     *Cherry - The real McCoy with lots of plump, juicy cherries
     *Sweet potato - Rich and creamy - Nutritious and delicious!
     *Pumpkin - The holiday favorite and we make the best!
     *Bavarian Apple Torte - Cheesecake filling on a home-made crust, topped with baked apple slices and cinnamon.
YEAST ROLLS:        *Crescent - Light and tender, brushed with butter
     *Dinner Assortment - Something for everyone, an assortment of our favorite Wildflour breads
     *Croutons- An assortment of Wildflour breads baked to a crisp perfection to add the perfect crunch or authentic flavor to your Thanksgiving Day stuffing.

*All orders must be in by: Nov. 20     

 Last Pick up Date is: Nov. 23 by 4 pm

 Open:

 Thursday      8am - 4pm

 Friday          8am - 5pm

 Saturday      8am - 5pm

 Sunday        9am - 3pm

Wildflour Bake Shop  828-749-3356
Wildflour Bakery  828-749-9224
Check us out online at wildflourbakerync.com for daily specials or use the good ol' fashion way...828-749-3356.   Search for us on 

Rachel Box, owner of Salon Rachelle ll, thanks the community for your support at the open house held Saturday, October 22, 2011. Prize winners of the drawing held in conjunction with the open house are: Judy Placak from Columbus, Julie Pace Arrington, Saluda, and Gretchen Boyd, Tryon.  As a "come get acquainted" offer, during the month of November, Salon Rachelle ll will be giving $5.00 off on all services on your first visit to the new salon located at 31 Pearson Falls Rd. Phone 828-749-2600.

Friends and Customers,

It is with saddened hearts that we have to inform you that Curtis Wright Outfitters closed the Saluda store at the end of October.  Thank you so much for your support of Curtis Wright Outfitters in Saluda over the past 7 ½ years.  We have enjoyed experiencing the journey with you, and we hope we can count on your continued support of our Weaverville and Asheville stores.  Curtis Wright Outfitters isn't going anywhere; we just needed to down-size a bit.  We will continue to provide guide services throughout Western North Carolina, and our other two shops are still available to meet all of your fly fishing needs.  Thanks again for your Saluda patronage, and we look forward to serving you in Asheville, Weaverville or on the Web.  We want to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Heath and Kelly for all of their hard work and dedication to Curtis Wright Outfitters. They will continue to guide for us in the Saluda area.

Carlton W. Murrey

Winterize Your Summer Home

It's that time of year when you want to think about taking care of winterizing your home so you don't have to be worried about freezing pipes bursting.  Here are a few key items that you want to make sure to get done if your home is going to be empty for any amount of time. 

Freeze Protection Safeguards
1.  Locate your water main and shut it off.
2.  Cut off electric service to hot water heater and drain tank.
3.  Drain all pipes via interior faucets and exterior hose bibs.
4.  Drain all garden hoses and store away for the winter.
5.  Flush all toilets and add anti freeze to remaining water in tank and bowl.
6.  Insure gutters are clean (consider installing leaf guards) to allow for proper drainage during rain and snow.
7.  Insure all condensate and drain lines from HVAC units are drained.
8.  Insulate any exposed pipes that cannot be drained of water.
 
General Off Season Protection
1. Propane or natural gas shut off at supply.
2.  HVAC units are turned off at the electrical source unless a minimum temperature is to be maintained.
3.  Prune tree limbs away from house to lessen possibility of storm damage.
4.  Clean out your refrigerator, unplug and prop door open.
5.  Unplug all other appliances including TV's.
6.  Store lawn furniture, grills, tools, etc.
7.  Turn off home's electrical power at the main breaker unless specific breakers need to remain on for fire protection, security lighting and alarm systems.
8.  Check exterior doors and windows for cracks and crevices and repair as needed
9.  Inspect roof and flashings for potential leaks.
10. Test smoke detector batteries and replace as needed.

Last month we discussed some important and simple things you can do to help prepare your home for winter. Here are a few more cost saving items to consider before the cold weather really sets in:

• Check your roof for loose shingles. It is less expensive to pay for repairs now than after snow and ice cause severe damage to your roof.
• Clean your gutters. Now that the leaves are almost all off the trees, you can bet a fair share of them found their way into your gutters. Get them out. Water backing up from a full gutter can leak into your home causing water damage and mold. Make sure your gutters are draining 3 to 4 feet away from your home. Water pooling near your home can cause damage to the foundation or basement. 
• Trim back tree branches from your home and have any dead trees or branches removed. Heavy ice or snow accumulation can bring them down on to your house causing serious damage.
• Be prepared! Have a shovel, rock salt, sand and other items you may need on hand before the storm hits.

Kirby Custom Builders is a Saluda based full service construction company. Find us at kirbycustombuilders.com. 

By Todd Kirby

"Saluda Is An Art Colony"

When I was preparing to open the art gallery, Saluda Fine Arts, a few years ago, I went to various meetings and talked with experienced business people to learn about art gallery business. The City Hall of Brevard held an all day meeting for artists and art businesses to teach techniques for this type of work and to encourage those attending to recognize the significance of their work to our economy.

The most interesting thing I learned is evident now in our small town of Saluda - the significance of art to the economy of our community.

There are four areas in the USA in which art is the NUMBER ONE influence on the economy:  Hudson River, New York; San Francisco, California; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Western North Carolina, where Saludastands out as a significant Art Colony.

We can appreciate art in Saluda not only as a personally inspiring and moving experience, but also as an important influence on our economy as well as our spirit.

 I am sharing just a few examples of art in our Saluda Art Colony.

Saluda Elementary School, for example, is an A+ school, which means the arts are integrated into all the classes, and all the class subjects are integrated into art. Frequent meetings are held with faculty to facilitate the integration. Saluda School's art teacher, Susan McRostie, recently won the award for Polk County Teacher of the Year

Random Arts, now located at the corner of Ozone and Louisiana, has regular workshops featuring various kinds of art and crafts with local and national teachers.  Arts and craft supplies are also available for sale. 

Thompson's Store and Ward's Grill would like to see artists and their work reside in their newly renovated upper floors, accessible by elevator. An exhibit and sale of Saluda art was held there the last week in October with artists sharing the proceeds of the sales with the community.

The Purple Onion and the Saluda Grade exhibit art on the walls that is for sale by Saluda artists.

Heartwood Gallery exhibits and sells artwork from local artists and potters.

The Saluda Inn Wine Cellar provides a venue for local artists and musicians to perform and show their work. 

The Saluda Center has regular public receptions and exhibits for artists and their work.

The Chicken House is an art center, which includes at various times classes, workshops, studio space, and exhibits.

Some studios for individual artists are shown below.  There are many others.

Bonnie Bardos

Jim Carson

Bill Ryan

Jim Shackelford

Recently, Nostalgia Courtyard and Manna Cabanna featured the Saluda Artists and Farmers Faire.

In the spring, the Saluda Business Association sponsors the Saluda Art Festival with over 50 artists exhibiting each year.

Classes, lessons, workshops, exhibits, artists' studio tours, and art festivals are all part of Saluda and bring tourists to our town.

Our home town, known as an Art Colony, adds to our identity as a friendly and welcoming place to live and to visit.

Beverly Bowden Pickard
www.beverlysart.com
bbpickard@charter.net
828-749-1248

Making a List and Checking it Twice!

With the Holidays just around the corner, the highly acclaimed DVD, Home, Hearth and History: Stories of Old Saluda makes the perfect gift.

A golden thread winds through the stories in "Home, Hearth and History: Stories of Old Saluda," linking together common ground of days gone by. It's about the relationships that were forged and the experiences people shared. It's about home, hearth and history and stories of old Saluda. It's about a "sense of place" so unique that no one wants to leave. It's about an air of mystery and enchantment that still lingers from days gone by. Often you can feel the presence of the generations who came before us, now just beyond the veil. This may be true whether you have just arrived or whether you have lived in Saluda your entire life; you are drawn to its sense of place. 

Home, Hearth and History: Stories of Old Saluda can be purchased ($20) at the following locations: Saluda City Hall, Cathy Jackson Realty, The Purple Onion, Heartwood Gallery, Duck Alley, Green River Adventures, Manna Cabana, Polk Fresh Market, Saluda Public Library, Saluda Inn and Wine Cellar, the Oaks Bed and Breakfast, Orchard Inn, M.A. Pace General Store and Historic Thompson's Store. You can also purchase it on-line at www.saludalifestyles.com. All proceeds go toward future projects.

Featured Interview: Donnie Pace

Donnie and Paul Pace

(middle and right)

Recently, we had the privilege to interview Donna Morgan Pace who is 91 years old and affectionately nicknamed Donnie. Donnie lived in Greenville County, SC and moved to Saluda around 1940 after she married Paul Pace. In her interview, she affectionately reflects that after she married Paul and moved to Saluda, she never looked back. Donnie and Paul (who passed away in 1962) had five children, Katie, Melody (Gibson), Allen, Steven, and Myron. Donnie's granddaughter, Audria Pace, was present for the interview. Fond memories were shared about Donnie's wonderful gardening skills and the many years that she canned all her food. Donnie is no longer able to garden but has left her family with lots of memories of her delicious food. Audria shared that she has one remaining jar of her grandmother's homemade soup, and she never plans to open it. A funny story was shared about a womanless beauty pageant in which Paul was the bride. Audria showed us the wedding gown which was made from several pairs of curtains. Paul must have made quite an amusing bride since he was over six feet tall! You can look forward to seeing Donnie's interview on the Historic Saluda website in the near future.

Have someone in mind that has an interesting story to tell about the old days in Saluda, email Cindy Tuttle with the Historic Saluda Oral History Committee at cindystuttle@gmail.com.  

Click here to read more about the important work the committee has been doing and get your Preservation Tip of the Month. 

Meetings

• The Historic Saluda Committee and the Oral History Committee are scheduled to meet jointly on Friday, December 9, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. and will meet at the Saluda Public Library. The public is invited to attend.

Memory #1

One of my earliest memories has to do with an incident that occurred about 1944. At that time, my family  lived on that section of Louisiana Avenue known as Diaper Hill. Late one morning,I was playing in our yard which adjoined what at that time was a gravel road. Suddenly five men in strangely striped clothes came walking up the hill and into our yard. One of them asked if anyone else was in the house and, being frightened by the sight, I said yes and ran inside to tell my Mama. After seeing and hearing how excited I was, she stepped out onto the front porch and spoke to them. One of the men announced that they were hungry and thirsty and demanded food and something to drink. Realizing the men were dressed in convict uniforms, she calmly told them to sit down on the steps while she fixedsome sandwiches and glasses of water.

After being fed, the men continued their walk up the hill in the direction of downtown Saluda. Since we had no telephone, Mama hurried up to Grandpa Luther Thompson's nearby residence to call the law. The local Chief of Police, Gurley Laughter, responded to her call. Now most of the time he just wore khaki clothes and drove an unmarked Model A pickup truck. In super sleuth fashion, Gurley didn't want the men to become suspicious so he drove on past them for quite a distance before turning around. According to the Chief, he then just pulled up beside the men and asked if they needed a ride. After they had all piled into the truck bed, Gurley apparently didn't slow down until he reached the Saluda police station hoping none would try to exit the truck prematurely. Only then did he identify himself as a lawman and immediately placed them in the pokey. Apparently the men had walked away from a road gang that had been working on Warrior Mountain Road but weren't familiar with our local community.

Memory #2

I guess I was around eight years old and my sister Carol was nine when we saw an advertisement in some publication for a roll-your-own cigarette machine. It couldn't have been very expensive because we had to pay for it ourselves. However, I do remember that supplies such as cloth bags of loose tobacco were five cents each and cigarette paper wrappers were a penny per pack.  After receiving the machine by mail, my next memory is crawling under the house and rolling a few with this magical device. On one occasion, Carol and I were under the house making a few for shared use, when for some reason, Carol got mad at me. She went inside, found our Mama and proceeded to tell on me, as though she had no involvement in the machine. Of course, Mama didn't want to believe that her daughter would participate in such dastardly deeds, so I caught all the heat and spanking and could only watch as Mama confiscated the cigarette machine and supplies. Only years later did Carol finally confess to Mama her involvement in the roll-your-own scheme.

Memory#3

During those occasions when our milk cow went dry or had just calved, we bought a new product called margarine which was a substitute for real butter. However, the margarine in these early packages was white, so the manufacturer added a small capsule of yellow coloring to the package with instructions to break the capsule and gently knead the margarine for a few minutes so the product would look more like butter. As an adult, I have often wondered why the manufacturer just didn't mix the yellow coloring directly into the margarine as it was being made.

Thompson's Store is located at 24 Main Street, in the heart of downtown Saluda.   

Contact the store at 828-749-2321 or visit

Here in the Lowcountry of S.C., we have some wonderful subtropical plants.  One of my favorites is the resurrection fern.  It grows along the branches of Live Oak trees (also a favorite of mine).  It is almost impossible to kill a resurrection fern.  During dry spells, it turns from green to brown and shrivels up....looks dead.  But if it rains or if the air gets humid, the fern greens up and comes back to life.

I just spent nearly three months in a rehab facility. As I was checking in, they wanted to know if I wanted to be resuscitated.  But I told them "No, I only want to die once, so don't bring me back.  But make sure I am really dead.  I am a shallow breather so sometimes I just look and sound dead.  Put a mirror under my nose before you send me off to the crematory."  They laughed, but I was serious.

There was a younger man standing there, and he started talking to me.  He looked like he had just washed up on the beach...had on a Cuban wedding shirt and designer jeans.  He started giving me medical talk, and I asked, "Who are you?  A surfer?"  He tried to convince me that he was the main doctor for the rehab, but I told him he didn't look like a doctor and that I would have to see his certificates.  He said they were back in his office on the wall, but I told him, "Not good enough.  I need to see them."

They took me to my room then.  The guy came by later...told me to drop my pants.  I said, "Drop yours first."  He said, "I'm the doctor!"  And I said, "So you say."

This is a wonderful but old rehab hospital.  The beds looked like they were left over from the Civil War.  Some of the nurses did, too.  And all the patients looked like leftovers, except for the physical therapists.  They really knew their stuff.  My wife had warned them that I would try to weasel out of anything too strenuous, so they were on to me.  I tried to get out of therapy on Saturday by telling them I was a 7th Day Adventist and it was my Holy Day. (They gave you a banana if you attended church service on Sundays.  I went once, but I wasn't that desperate for a banana. Besides, my family members brought me cheeseburgers and milkshakes when they came....that is until the dietitian caught them and said she would have to strip search them if they didn't stop.  Actually, I lost more than 50 pounds on the rehab food.)

They wanted to know what my goals were.  I told them I wanted to be on Dancing with the Stars, that I wanted to find my goat, and I wanted to be able to attend my granddaughter's wedding.  Carol came almost every day. One day she brought her WD40 and was under the bed when the nurse came in.  I explained that my wife was changing my oil.  Carol said it was me that was squeaking and not the bed.

My daughter, Laura, said the dietitian hadn't bought a new cookbook since the 50s. We had a lot of tuna noodle casserole which I tried to trade for a hot dog.  Speaking of dogs, they were allowed to visit if they had their shots and brought proof. So, when my friend Elwyn came to visit, Tallulah (his poodle) came in with him.  She was a hit! My room was filled with visitors, all trying to pet her.

Actually the Surfer was the doctor.  He saved my life at least twice...once when I got hundreds of blood clots in my legs.  I decided to change doctors and keep this one when I got out of The Home.  Carol didn't like him much because he called her "babe."  I tried to explain that Cuban men think every woman is a babe, but she wants to be called Mrs. Babe.  When I was ready to get out of the rehab place, we made an appointment for the doctor's office.  He said to bring a live chicken...preferably a white rooster... and to come after dark.  I have to admit that is a little strange. It's the first time I've had to go to a doctor and bring a live chicken.

Shop online at the Saluda Lifestyles Mercantile for the following merchandise: 

Home, Hearth and History: Stories of Old Saluda DVD. Proceeds will go to the Oral History Project for the next sequel.   Price:  $20.00+shipping. 

130th T-Shirts for all sizes for adults and youth.  Proceeds go to the City of Saluda for the 130th Birthday Celebrations. May also be purchased at Thompson's Store and Somewhere in Time on Main Street. Price:  $10.00 + shipping. Sizes available are M, L, 2XL. 

Print of The Carolina Special Cresting Saluda Mountain.

The Carolina Special ran for over half a century and was one of the nation's longest-lived passenger trains.  It started in 1911 and endured until its last trip up Saluda Grade on December 5, 1968.

Limited quantities available. Size approximately 17" X 19".  Proceeds will go to Saluda's Historic City Hall Restoration and Oral History Project.  Price:  $45.00+shipping.   

Shucks Pearls

Hometown Limited Edition Series

The Saluda Grade Pearl Necklace was designed in commemoration of Saluda, NC's famous railway grade which was a turning point in the city's growth during the Victorian era.  Price:  $137.00+shipping.

611 on Saluda - DVD.  An assault on America's steepest Class-I grade
"On October 25, 1992, two of American Railroadings' most legendary figures were brought together for the first time. The crowds were standing room only, the weather was perfect, and our legends were at their best."

Video covers two full colorful hours with dynamic sound. Produced by Bob Loehne
©1994, American AltaVista, All Rights Reserved

Price:  $40.00 includes shipping.

Saluda - America's Hometown, A Conversational History DVD.
"Dedicated to the residents, natives and friends of Saluda. My sincere thanks for your guidance, memories, contributions and generosity - we couldn't have done this without you."

Produced by Bob Loehne
©1991, American AltaVista, All Rights Reserved

Price:  $40.00 includes shipping.  

Please click here for secure online ordering.