Saluda Property & Real Estate

A Quick Saluda Market Update

(compares last year's sales with the same period this year as of November 30, 2013). 

Sales              Closed   Pending 

Homes 2013     28         7        

Homes 2012     26         0     

Land 2013         21        0             

Land 2012         13        0

Foreclosures-REO-Short Sales

Saluda - 2 properties 

Polk County - 10 properties 

Data taken from Western NC multiple listing service.

Please visit cathyjacksonrealty.com to see all Cathy Jackson Realty Featured Home and Land Listings and search the entire Western NC MLS.

December 13   Hometown Christmas 

December 14   Children's Christmas Workshop and Christmas Parade 

December 15   NC Small Town Main Street Saluda Christmas Celebration 

Help Local Children in Need Have a Merry Christmas by Donating Toys to be distributed in Saluda. 

New toys for all ages and monetary donations can be dropped off at the Saluda Police Department or City Hall through December 13, 2013.

All donations will be given locally to Saluda community families.  Monetary donations will also be accepted and used to purchase items for children's wish lists and to pay bills that create a hardship for families during the holidays.

Call City Hall 828-749-2581 or Saluda Police Dept. 828-749-2691.  Or email info@cityofsaludanc.com for more information.

Heartwood Gallery's second annual fund raiser for Thermal Belt Community Outreach is under way with the "Be Joyful, Share Joy" pewter angel. Angels are $14 and the entire amount will go to Thermal Belt Community Outreach for the much needed assistance provided to those in our county. We raised almost $2000 last year and would love to exceed that this year with your help. We look forward to another year of bringing you the best we can find from artists and craftsmen in our region who strive for excellence and who enrich all of our lives with their handwork.

Submitted by Shelley DeKay,
   

Click here to visit Heartwood online.

Located at 21 East Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773, 828-749-9365.  Click here for directions. Like us on Facebook.  

FREE ENTERTAINMENT

The Polk County Friends of the Library presents a free program open to the public immediately following their 5:30 pm Annual Meeting on Thursday, December 5.

"One Woman's Appalachian Christmas," an entertaining program featuring local artist, Marilyn McMinn McCredie, will be presented at the Community Room of the Polk County Public Library on December 5^th at 6:30 pm. She is the recipient of the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival Award for her significant contribution to the folk, musical, and/or dance traditions of the southern mountain region. She won the "Special Entertainer's Award" at the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville and has performed at numerous folk and arts festivals throughout the Appalachian region for many years. She has taught courses in mountain historical facts, folklore, music and culture at Blue Ridge Technical College. She particularly enjoys teaching the mountain dulcimer to international students and she expresses her amazement in how "music can so completely transcend the barriers of language and culture."  

McCredie was born in Hooper's Creek, Henderson County, NC where her family has lived for generations. She grew up "steeped in Appalachian folkways and tradition;" her storytelling material includes ghost stories, Indian legends, tall tales, and how things happened years ago. One Elderhostel student remarked, "If we had a teacher such as Ms. McCredie during our school days, we would have been more appreciative of the value of history."

You are invited to the "Community Chorus Concert" featuring the Randol Alan Bass "Gloria," Yuletide classics, and many other holiday favorites, along with the Rotary Ringers. 

The Saluda Tailgate Market has just completed its fourth season. What began in 2010 as a few individuals interested in having a local growers' market has become a solid spring to fall Saluda tradition. Twenty-six Fridays, hundreds of volunteer hours, a new storage shed/shelter, over forty vendors changing with the seasons, and your steady presence made it the best year yet. This year we grew into a beautifully balanced and complete market, offering everything: vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, plants, mushrooms, honey, eggs, goat cheese, beef, chicken, lamb, trout, baked goods, jams, sauces, and pesto. We saw micro greens, hydroponic lettuce and crazy cauliflower hybrids; we savored sweet peaches; fall brought apples along with amazing late tomatoes. It was, in spite of heavy summer rainfall, a testament to all that can be produced on the land that surrounds us. Once again our vendors told us how much they love this market because the Saluda community is so welcoming, so consistently supportive, and so willing to plan their weekly shopping around the market.

To learn more about how to sign up to vend or to sign up for the weekly e-news letter, please visit saludatailgate.com or contact Shelley DeKay 828-606-5713.

Give a gift to a family member or friend that will last a lifetime by investing in a Pace Park Paver in their name or memory.   

Have the life or memory of a loved one immortalized or have your name engraved on a brick paver at Pace Park as a recognition as a contributor to this new community park.  This park will be in the alley by M.A. Pace General Store and will be the location of a Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Interpretation Sign and future public restrooms.

 

$40 each, payable to City of Saluda, three lines of copy with a maximum of 14 letters per line.  Download an application here.

 

Drop off applications and payment to City Hall or mail to City of Saluda, 6 Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773.  Proceeds will go toward building public restrooms.

 

For any additional information, please contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.  

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Leaf Pick Up 

The city will

be doing leaf pickup for inside city residents the first two weeks of December. Residents are to pile leaves along the road, but not in the road, prior to the pickup date. Each street will be picked up once only.

Stay Informed - Get on a List!
Stay informed by visiting the city website, cityofsaludanc.com. Minutes from previous month's town council meetings are posted on this site. To receive monthly notices about town meetings, please email Monica Pace at admin@cityofsaludanc.com and ask to be placed on the email list.

A Thrifty Barn is open Wed. through Sat. from 10:00 am-4:00 pm.  Donations are accepted when we are open.

If you are in need of some medical equipment, please call 828-749-9245. We may be able to loan you what you need.

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.   

The Saluda Center is located at 64 Greenville St. Phone is 828-749-9245. 

The Saluda Center is holding a raffle to win the "Bedford Falls Christmas Village" from the classic movie, "It's a Wonderful Life."  Proceeds to benefit the Saluda Center Building Fund.  Village is on display at the Saluda Center.  Winner will be drawn at the center at 1:30pm, December 11.  You do not have to be present to win.  Tickets are available at the Saluda Center, The Thrifty Barn, and Macon Bank.  Ticket prices:  1 for $3, 2 for $5, 5 for $10, and 12 for $20.

Please mark your calendar! Another fun day scheduled for road clean up. SCLT will be doing the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup on Monday, December 9 (if change needed due to weather, date change December 16). We will meet in the parking lot of the Saluda Library at 10 AM and form two teams to work both entrances of Saluda on Highway 176. Wear warm clothes, and look forward to the camaraderie of volunteers who enjoy a project that reflects on our very special city of Saluda. Safety vests will be provided and we would love to have you join us!

Are you having thoughts and ideas about what to give your special friends, family and love ones for Christmas? How about a membership to SCLT? Membership is only $25.00 per person for one year. 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.

The next SCLT meeting will be Wednesday, December 4 at 3 pm. We will meet upstairs in our office which is located at the Presbyterian Church. The public is always welcome.

As we close out the year, we would like once again to thank all the volunteers who have made our projects so successful. We would also like to thank the Polk County Community Foundation for helping finance some of our many projects! Without everyone's support, we could not have completed our many tasks.

THANK YOU!

Please feel free to contact us about any of our projects by calling our office at 828-749-1560 and leaving a message. We will return your call promptly. Also be sure to check out our updated website saludaclt.org. We look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Saluda Garden Club will not be meeting in December and January. During this time we will be organizing our plans for the coming year.

As always, we are still caring for the gardens at Spring Park. We each have a love and fellowship with this special place and invite you to walk through the garden and enjoy this beautiful historic site.

Remember to be gentle and to leave every plant where it is. Every rock has a purpose and each step is a reminder of times when people came to this spot to be refreshed and share a tale of their travels.

For more information about the Saluda Garden Club, please call Patty Martin at 828-817-9518. We are always looking for new members to join our fun!

The Saluda Community Tree Preservation Association welcomes members of Saluda's local branch of Tree City USA to help decorate the "Tree for the Birds," an annual tradition begun by STPA in 2005.

Members of both groups, along with husbands/wives, and young children are requested to bring one (or more) per family bird-edible decoration to hang on the tree.

The group will meet in the little park across the street from Saluda School at 1:30pm, Saturday, December 7.

After decorations are hung, the next stop is the Old Chicken House for hot drinks and some-mores. The Chicken House is located at 143 (new) Mountain Page Road just beyond the end of Greenville Street.

Merry Christmas to all and a blessed new year.

Submitted by Ruth Anderson 

We're Giving Away $$$$

The Economic Restructuring Committee of Saluda's Small Town Main Street program is raising funds from those who value Saluda to help us create a grant program to support downtown projects.  Matching grants of up to $500 will be available to individuals, businesses and organizations to fund beautification, new signage, shop local campaigns, flower planters, artwork and sculpture, special events, festivals and other programs and creative ideas.

Be a "Locavestor"! You can help us make this grant program a success.  Your contribution, however small, will help us fund the grant program.  You will get a tax deduction and a Locavestor sticker for your car.  Those who can give $250 or more will be recognized on a plaque in Pace Park.

We want everyone to participate and feel a part of this effort.  Make checks payable to "City of Saluda, Locavestor Fund" and mail them to City of Saluda,

P. O. Box 248, Saluda, NC 28773 or drop your check off at City Hall.

Working together, we can make this happen!

Original Photographs needed to Copy for Book 

The HSC is continuing the work on an Images of America book with Arcadia Publishing for Saluda. Please contact Mary Ann Hester at mahester1@charter.net if you have photographs that the committee may scan (copy) or call 864-325-9292. Arrangements may be made to scan the photographs at your home or other designated location, so they do not leave your possession. The Images of America series chronicles the history of small towns and downtowns across the country. Each title features more than 200 vintage images, capturing often forgotten bygone times and bringing to life the people, places, and events that defined a community.

Preserve Your Family's Heritage

The Historic Saluda Committee (HSC) has been granted a secure space in the Saluda Public Library to store historical documents and artifacts. Items are now being archived in preparation for a future Historic Saluda Museum. Donations of originals or copies of vintage photographs depicting the history of Saluda's families and places are now being accepted. Also being accepted are documents, deeds, art, books, quilts, antiques or other relevant artifacts of historic interest that are in good condition. Contact us at historicsaluda@gmail.com or notify the City of Saluda who will advise a member of the HSC - 828-749-2581. We will gladly pick up donated items.

Oral Histories are Continuing to be Collected 

Oral history interviews are still being conducted in order to preserve the stories of the past for future generations. The HSC would like to thank the following who were interviewed last month: Bill Pace and Roy Johnson.

Help Set the Trend, New HSC Auto Stickers Available!

For only $3, you can help fund future HSC projects and at the same time help set a trend. These stylish non-fading automobile stickers, featuring the HSC logo, can be purchased through local merchants and at City Hall. Buy one to be cool - or be square!

CD Released! "Saluda: Voices from the First 100 Years"  

Get your copy of the oral history audio documentary, "Saluda, NC: Voices from the First 100 Years." Over 30 years ago when Anne Osborne and Charlene Pace were working on their book Saluda, NC: 100 Years 1881-1981, they conducted interviews with some of Saluda's oldest residents. Luckily, these interviews were captured on what we now consider to be "old fashioned" cassette tapes and were donated to the Oral History Committee. Snippets from these interviews were woven into a story line and compiled into this CD. Funding provided by the Polk County Community Foundation's Saluda Community Fund. The CD can be purchased ($10) through local merchants and at City Hall. You can also purchase it on-line at saludalifestyles.com. All proceeds go toward future projects. Click here to watch the YouTube promotional video.

DVD Available for Sale by Local Merchants

Home, Hearth and History: Stories of Old Saluda can be purchased ($20) through local merchants and at City Hall. You can also purchase it on-line at saludalifestyles.com. All proceeds go toward future projects.

Meetings

The Historic Saluda Committee (HSC) will meet on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Saluda Public Library in the upstairs meeting room. The Oral History Committee will also meet jointly with the HSC. The public is invited to attend. 

For more information about the Historic Saluda Committee, go to historicsaluda.org or contact us at historicsaluda@gmail.com.

Submitted by Cindy S. Tuttle, Co-Chair, Historic Saluda Committee

Make your New Year's Resolutions include getting off the couch and learning to Contra dance!

It's easy to learn, great exercise and some of the most fun people you will ever meet!

We are planning the dances for the second Saturday of each month, which means January 11, February 8 and March 8. We already have Diane Silver lined up as the caller for January and she is a crowd favorite!

The dances are being held at our favorite venue-The Party and Event Place. If you need directions, visit partyplaceandeventcenter.com.

The lessons begin at 7pm with dancing from 7:30 until 10pm. We are also having a promotion that allows those of you have been dancing with us before to bring two "new people," and then you can dance for free that night! So "bring two new and it's free for you!"  

For directions, please visit partyplaceandeventplace.com. For more information or to sign up for our email list, please visit blueridgecontra@icloud.com. See Blue Ridge Contra on FaceBook and for a sample dance visit Gallery.

Call for Artists 

SALUDA ARTS FESTIVAL

  Historic Downtown Saluda,  NC

Cultivating and promoting its heritage in the arts, the Saluda Business Association invites you to enter your work in the 11th annual Saluda Arts Festival scheduled for May 17, 2014.  Showcasing fine arts and crafts from local and regional artists, the Saluda Arts Festival draws thousands of spring tourists visiting Western North Carolina.  

Exhibit Fee:  $60 

Entry Deadline:  March 15, 2014

For more information, please contact Susie Welsh at 828-749-3900, sswelsh@tds.net or Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534, carnc@charter.net. 

Click here to download application.

Things have been hopping over at Pearson's Falls in recent months. Thanks to a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation, Pearson's Falls is about to reveal the first environmentally-friendly composting permanent restrooms in Western North Carolina, complete with a living roof. They have also recently completed installation of bike racks to provide a safe place for visitors to store their bicycles while visiting the glen, as well as a new bus turnaround to accommodate larger groups of visitors such as school groups.

2720 Pearson Falls Road, Saluda, NC  28773, 828-749-3031 pearsonsfalls.org.

Nectar Yoga And Wellness Center 

Saluda's Premier Yoga Studio

Chandler and Raphaela are extensively trained in yoga, massage, counseling, and QRA, sharing a combined history of study and practice that spans over 20 years.

Saluda Community Library

Pre-School Storytime is held on Thursdays at 12:30pm. This 30 minute program featuring stories and crafts is recommended for children ages 3-5.

Afternoon Adventures is a program designed for children in grades K-5. This event is held on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 4pm.

We also offer free homework help! Contact Jen Pace, Children's Services Coordinator, to make an appointment at (828) 894-8721 ext. 227 or jpace@polklibrary.org.

Tuesday, December 3rd, 4pm
Afternoon Adventures: Gingerbread House Decorating Contest!
We'll split into groups to see who can make the most awesome creation. All materials will be provided.

Thursday, December 5th, 12:30pm
Pre-School Storytime: Jan Brett's Birthday!
Craft: "Stained Glass" Mittens

Thursday, December 12th, 12:30pm
Pre-School Storytime: You Can't Catch Me!
Craft: Gingerbread Man Ornaments

Tuesday, December 17th, 4pm
Afternoon Adventures: Movie Matinee!
We'll watch "Elf" (rated PG) and enjoy popcorn and drinks.

Thursday, December 19th, 12:30pm
Pre-School Storytime: Let It Snow!
Snack: Snowmen on Sticks

There will be no Pre-School Storytime on December 26th due to the Christmas holiday.  The library will be closed December 24th-26th.

Special Events at Polk County Public Library (1289 West Mills Street, Columbus, NC 28722):

Famous storyteller Marilyn McMinn-McCredie presents "One Woman's Appalachian Christmas" following the Friends of the Polk County Public Library annual meeting on Thursday, December 5th. The public is invited to this entertaining program at 6:15pm! Holiday refreshments will be served.

Thursday, December 12th, 5:30pm

Drum Circle!

Instruments are provided but you can bring your own as well. All ages are welcome. The drum circle is the second Thursday of every month at 5:30pm.

Saturday, December 14th, 10am

Stemville Saturday of Science

Spend your morning doing fun and engaging science activities created with the whole family in mind! Join us as we explore different STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) topics such as animal adaptations, robotics, and meteorology through various hands-on activities. You can register for this event at http://tinyurl.com/Morehead-Stemville3. Seating will be limited to 25 people (parents are included in that total).

Thursday, December 19th, 4pm

Teen Book Club: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Discuss the book, get a free copy of next month's read and a special gift, and enjoy snacks! Please register in advance.

 

 Upcoming Events at Saluda School

As you are aware, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can easily take our eyes and ears from the ones who love the holidays most, the children.  As you are busy mailing your holiday cards and gifts at Saluda Post Office, please take time to view student artwork.  Saluda Elementary School is filled with incredible, creative and kind children!   

Christmas Bazaar....Items needed!

Each Christmas season, our school holds a Christmas Bazaar where children purchase "gifts" for family and friends.  If you have knick-knacks, jewelry, candles, mugs, etc. that you would like to donate for the Christmas Bazaar, you are asked to bring items to the school secretary's office before Dec. 13th.

Upcoming Events

December 3  Report Cards

December 5  Kindergarten to Saluda Community Library for Storytime

December 6  Dress Down for Charity

December 6  Second Grade to perform at Tryon Estates for Polk County Employees

December 9  School Board Meeting & Recognition of Teacher of the Year Recipients

December 16  Interim Reports

December 16  Annual Christmas Bazaar

December 17  PreK-2nd Grade Evening Holiday Performance

December 19  Half Day for Students  (Dismissal at 11:30am)

December 20  Teacher Workday (No school for students)

Dec 21-Jan 1  Holidays (No school)

January 2    Students return to school!   

Visit Saluda School for additional school news.    

Principal, Ronette Dill   

Don't forget to collect Box tops! Box top collection containers are located in the Saluda Public Library, Saluda Post Office, and Saluda Elementary School Office.  

US Post Office Store Hours

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

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

Passport Service is available at the Saluda post office.

Get directions by clicking here  

102 E MAIN ST SALUDA, NC 28773-7812 

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

"Saluda, NC: Voices from the First 100 Years" in CD format. Original recordings of interviews with Saluda's oldest residents documented in the book, Saluda, NC: 100 Years 1881-1981. These interviews were transferred to a CD by Historic Saluda. Price: $17 includes shipping and handling. 

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. 

Painting by Johnny Waddill

Saluda turns magical in December. Hiking a mountain trail or walking through the woods gives you a different perspective.  Mountain vistas blocked by summer foliage suddenly appear through the now bare limbed trees, picked clean by November's bashing winds.  Under the canopy of naked trees, the lush green of rhododendrons and mountain laurel stand prominently against the shadows of the gray and brown colors of winter.  It is so quiet in the woods, quiet broken only by a bird call or the hammering of a woodpecker.  Wood smoke drifts in the air, wrapping you with the feeling of warmth and images of curling up near a glowing fireplace. 

The Victorian styled Oaks Bed & Breakfast, adorned with garland and red bows, takes you back to days gone by when holidays were slower paced. It takes you back to a time when people filled with the joy of the holiday spirit took time to just enjoy being together.

Get acquainted with Saluda's magical charm this holiday season.  Walking its three block-long Main Street, you can saunter along window shopping or relax on one of the many benches just to people watch while enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee or hot chocolate.  Enjoy shopping the town's unique and alluring boutique shops, galleries, and 100+ year old general stores. Choose from a variety of restaurants serving delicious meals ranging from a juicy hamburger to a Mediterranean style meal.  

Slowing down your holiday time and enjoying the spirit of Christmas is the true magic of Saluda.

Paintings From Eastern Italy To Western North Carolina

By Jim Carson

A reception for "Eastern Italy to Western North Carolina, Paintings by Jim Carson" will be held at The Saluda Center on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM.

Jim was privileged to be a part of an international painting group in Peschici, Italy, in September, with such highly regarded international landscape painters as Lori Putnam, Ray Roberts, Peggy Kroll Roberts, James Richards, Al Tofanelli, and Carol Gray-Weihman.  The complete story of this painting adventure is featured in the November 2013 issue of Plein Air Magazine in a story titled "Chasing the Light Across Countries."

Peschici is located on the Aegean Sea in the province of Foggia, in the beautiful Apulia region of southeast Italy.

Richland Fine Art Gallery in Nashville, Tenn. is planning to exhibit paintings created by these artists in a show next year.

Jim will exhibit his Peschici  paintings, along with Western N.C. paintings, here. The show will continue at The Saluda Center through January 15, 2014.

For more information, call 828-749-3702, email jimcarson@tds.net or visit jimcarson.net.

Parents... Mark Your Calendar...

The Saluda Children's Christmas Workshop,

Saturday, December 14, 2013

9:30am-1:00pm

Upstairs over Thompson's Store (Venue Change from Saluda Fire Department) 

Free For Kids Five And Up

The Workshop Helpers want to invite Saluda's children five and up to the workshop again this year so we can teach, inspire, and encourage them through creativity. The Workshop offers personal instruction of art projects related to Christmas in the form of ornaments and gifts. The kids get to practice their artistic ability, imagination, patience, cooperation, and gratitude through art. We create projects using lots of different mediums such as recycled products, beading, felting, food gifts, nature inspired gifts, origami, and much more. They will take home projects that will be cherished for years to come.

They aren't the only ones who benefit though...we, the adults, love to share with the kids who come. It's a wonderful experience for everyone. If you'd like to be a helper, just call Laura Fields at 828-749-4521. I encourage creative and kid-loving people (notice I didn't say women) to join us. I wouldn't be able to pull this project off without my volunteers, and for them, I am very grateful. Please join us if you'd like to  be a part of something very special.

Parents, please don't bring children under five as the projects are challenging. No food or drink allowed. No unattended children and parents are allowed on art floor. We provide a special place just for you where you can do a project of your own or watch the kids without being right beside them. See You There!

PLEASE NOTE THE NEW LOCATION AND TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW, SO NO ONE MISSES OUT! THANKS! SEE YOU THERE!

This event is sponsored by Mountain Life Realty. 

Santa Claus is coming to town!

The third annual Saluda Christmas Parade will be held in Saluda on Saturday, December 14 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  

We are pleased to announce that the East Hendersonville High School Marching Band will be marching in the parade. 

For more information, please call Judy Ward at 828-749-2321. 

The third annual Christmas Dog Show and Parade Walk will be held at the Tennis Courts at Saluda School before the Saluda Christmas Parade.

All dogs entered will receive a Christmas kerchief and dog treats. The winner of each class will receive a blue ribbon.

Schedule

1:15PM Registration starts- the $5 tax deductible suggested fee per dog will be used to support the Saluda Dog Park
1:30PM  Blessing of dogs by Rev. Rob Parsons  followed by Class Judging

3:00PM All dogs and owners are invited to walk together in the Christmas Parade.  

If you wish to register in advance email dclp@tds.net for a registration form or contact 828- 749-9172

Thank you for your support of the Saluda Dog Park, a Saluda Community Land Trust Project, a 501c3 organization.

When:  Saturday, December 14 at 6pm

Where:  Top of the Grade Park at McCreery Park

Featuring:  It's a Wonderful Life

Bring your chairs, blankets and dress warmly to Saluda's first winter movie night featuring the Christmas classic, "It's a Wonderful Life."  Event is free to public.  Hot beverages will be available.

For more information, please contact Maria Wynn at 828-749-5500.  Weather permitting. 

This event is sponsored by the Saluda Small Town Main Street Promotions Team.

Looking for a Christmas party to celebrate with your friends and fellow Saludians, then the Saluda Christmas Celebration is the place to be.  Hosted by the Orchard Inn, this party will be Sunday, December 15, 5pm to 8pm.

The elegant warmth, Christmas decorations, and hospitality of the Inn will create the perfect setting to spark your holiday cheer.

Your ticket will go in a basket to be drawn for fabulous door prizes like a painting by Bill Jameson, local artwork by Ray Pague, locally hand-made pottery, and more. 

Fred Whiskins, blues pianist will be treating guests with his musical magic. 

Only 100 tickets will be sold so don't wait--get your ticket now.  Tickets can be purchased by calling Terry Baisden at 828-749-3789 or emailing terrybaisden@tds.net. You may also pick up tickets at Thompson's Store/Ward's Grill or Cathy Jackson Realty.

The $40 /per person ticket includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, two free tickets for beer and wine, sweet tea, apple cider, and hot chocolate.  Cash bar available.  There will also be a drawing of the tickets for a fabulous door prize.

Free parking and shuttle service to The Orchard Inn will be from the Tickle Family Health Center & Spa located at 438 East US Highway 176.  Only people with physical disabilities or needing assistance will be permitted to park at the Inn.

The Orchard Inn is located at 100 Orchard Inn, Saluda, NC 28773, 800-581-3800, orchardinn.com.

Formal attire appropriate, but not required.

The Saluda Small Town Main Street promotions team has organized this event to provide a holiday gala during December. 

Saluda author, Corinne F. Gerwe, has published a new book, Blood Runs Cold on the Black Side of the Mountain, released by Algora Publishing.  She will hold a book signing at the Saluda Library, December 14, 10am to 12pm, the morning of the Saluda Christmas Parade.  

This is not just a story of sin and redemption, but a life of crime forced upon a child who tried desperately to live up to his father's horrifying expectations and to abide by his maniacal rules. His journey from the black side of the mountain through a wilderness of transforming enlightenment is an exciting, intriguing, and inspiring story of physical and psychological survival.

The book glows with a loving appreciation for the good that lies deep within some of the most hardened hearts, just as the setting, deep in the Appalachian Mountains, is shown bursting with images of spectacular beauty and the rich bounty of nature even while danger may lurk at every turn.

Click here to read more about the story.

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

Click here to read Top 10 Reasons to Support Locally Owned Businesses.

The Gorge Canopy Tour  

The Coolest Gift Under The Tree - Adventure and GEAR!  This year, purchase a Zip Line Canopy Tour trip for 2 and get your Gorge Gear FREE!

Package includes: 2 Gift Certificates for the 2014 season, 2 Gorge T-shirts, 2 Gorge Water Bottles, and 2 Saluda Adventure Guides.

Click here Gorge Gift Cards to purchase.  Then, The Gorge will be in touch to confirm shipping info and T-shirt sizes.   

The Gorge will be offering trips to groups of 8 or more during December and will then close for the season, opening in March 2014. 

166 Honey Bee Drive   |   (855) 749-2500

Visit website. 

Sara Bell of The Gorge Zipline and Green River Adventures shared the news that they will be featured in the Blue Ridge Outdoor magazine in December.  Here is the picture that will be used with the featured article.

Visit us at wolfrunartgallery.com, 50 E. Main Street, Saluda, NC  28773, (828) 749-1100, wolfrungallery@gmail.com.

Visit Evening Shade Pottery for that one of a kind gift for your Christmas gift giving. There is nothing better than a handmade piece of pottery for a loved one.  I do have a warm cozy rocking chair to sit in and watch pottery being made.

Come check it out. You will be amazed at the transformation of a little lump of clay.

If you can't make it down, at least check out  shopmainstreets.com and follow the prompts to get an actual tour of Saluda and my little shop.

Thank you and have a blessed holiday season.

Visit Eva McCray's Evening Shade Pottery at its new location at 30 Church Street, behind the Purple Onion and Spring Park. Contact Eva at 828-749-3249 or email at eva@eveningshadepottery.com.   

The Orchard Inn

This December, there are several opportunities to join us for one of our very special holiday dinners. Dickens Dinners will be taking place on December 7 (sold out), 12, 14, 20, and 21. Enter our beautifully decorated living room, and you'll be taken in by the warmth, fresh smells of evergreen and a wood burning fire, making you feel right at home. We'll be serving a sumptuous 4-course special holiday meal - Cream of Butternut Squash Soup with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds and Austrian Pumpkin Seed Oil, Organic Baby Green Salad with Orchard Inn Dressing, Choice of Crispy Duck with Homemade Mango Chutney or Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Rosemary Infused Pears or Local Rainbow Trout Almandine, and a choice of two fabulous desserts. In between each course, The Orchard Inn's very own Mr. Pickwick (David Riddle) will read from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. After dinner, everyone will move into our candle lit living room to listen to the end of the story and toast to the Spirit of Christmas with a Smoking Bishop (hot spiced wine). Set aside one of these evenings to join us. $59 per person, plus tax and gratuity. After dinner, treat yourself to an overnight stay in one of our upstairs rooms for only $110. We guarantee this magical holiday evening at our 12-acre mountaintop retreat to be one you'll always remember. Hors d'oeuvres are served at 6:30 and dinner begins at 7. 

We are also serving a Traditional Austrian Christmas Dinner on December 24 (Christmas Eve). Menu will include Goose with homemade dumplings, braised red cabbage, special soup, fresh organic salad, and homemade Sacher Torte for dessert. $59 per person.

And finally, ring in the New Year in Orchard Inn style at our New Year's Eve, black-tie optional, 7-course Gala. $99 per person, includes complimentary glass of champagne at midnight.

At all of our holiday dinners everyone will enter the dining room at the same time, so seating is limited. Call to reserve your place at our table at 828-749-5471.

Originally built in 1926 and called the Mountain Home of Southern Railway Clerks, the Inn sits on 12 acres, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a member of the distinguished Select Registry and Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. There are 8 rooms upstairs in the Inn, all with private baths and lovely mountain views, a suite downstairs, and 5 private cottages with decks or screened in porches, Jacuzzi tubs, and gas fireplaces.  We're proud to announce being awarded by Trip Advisor - 2012 & 2013 Certificate of Excellence and by Restaurant.com - 2012 Top Rated Restaurant. 

Visit the Orchard Inn at orchardinn.com. They are located on Highway 176, Saluda, NC. 

Histor

Christmas time is here and there is no better gift than receiving a gift box with special items from Thompson Store. Come in and select your favorite items, or order a gift box and we will package and mail to your family members or friends.

We also have "gift certificates" for your special friends or for someone you just want to say thank you to at Christmas time.

This month we will be having "two wine tastings." One on December 5 and the other on December 19.  Meet Mort upstairs at 4pm for Wine & Cheese.

For the special this month, we will feature two wines- Cederberg  Chenin Blanc 2012  and "Old Vine Red," a California red blend, either for $11.99 each.

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the best in 2014.

We now have WIFI!

Historic Thompson Store, open Monday-Saturday, 8am to 6pm

Ward's Grill, open Monday-Friday, 7am to 3pm, Saturday, 6:30am to 3pm

Smokehouse Chili and Brunswick Stew are back on the menu! We also have three big screen TV's for all the games or races you want to watch. We have on tap a variety of ten, mostly local, and our list includes a Pumpkin ale and a hard cider!  

We will be open during Hometown Christmas and invite you to join us for dinner after the stroll.

Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday, 11am to 9pm

Sunday - Noon- 3pm

Closed Thanksgiving Day 

Daily specials:  $4.99

Tues. -  small chopped pork sandwich, slaw,tea or coke

Wed. - bowl of Smokehouse Chili or Brunswick Stew and drink.  

Thurs. - Black Angus Bacon Burger, FF, tea or coke

Fri. - 2 piglets, slaw, tea or coke

Pint Narragansett 1.50

We offer 10 local draft beer choices, and we carry Angry Orchard Hard Cider on tap!

$2.00 OFF all drafts Tuesday-Thursdays and all domestic bottles will be $2.00 everyday!

Now offering a wonderful Ribeye Sandwich served on grilled French bread with any toppings you would like!

Click here to see our menu online. 

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.   

Wildflour Bake Shop  828-749-3356 

Wildflour Bakery  828-749-9224 

Check us out online at

for daily specials or use the good ol' fashion way...828-749-3356.   Keep up with specials on 

Meanwhile, Back in Saluda continues to add local products in their new Indoor-Year-Round Farmers Market section.  Jam from Imladris Farms, Beets and Okra from  Green River Picklers, Hot Sauces, Herb Mixes, Olive Oil, Simple Syrups from Blue Blaze Soda Company, Dry Cured Salami and Pepperoni from Foothills Pasture Fed Meats, cheeses from Vineyard's Edge Dairy and much more can be found to make gift baskets. Craft and Local Beers and a great selection of wines for holiday meals and to give to friends.  Local art and crafts added weekly. Join us on Friday, December 6 from 4 - 6 PM for a Wine Tasting and Music Jam session.  

Holiday Hours through December:

Open every day 10 AM - 6 PM

And Friday we are open till 9 PM.  

We are located next to Wildflour Bake Shop and The Gardner's Cottage in Nostalgia Courtyard.  Come visit and see the changes to the shop.  

Wine Shop Phone:   828-749-9463

email:   meanwhilewineshop@gmail.com   

Merry Christmas

From all of us here at Macon Bank, we would like to wish you all Merry Christmas, and we hope your New Year is joyful and prosperous.

Come join us for the Saluda Hometown Christmas festivities on Friday, December the 13^th from 6 until 8 pm.  During the night's events, there will be music and refreshments at our Main Street branch.  Rodney Gibson will be serenading everyone with his acoustic guitar.  Come by and enjoy the festivities with us.

Saluda Faces recognizes Saluda citizens that you may see often and wonder who they are, what they do, and why they live in Saluda.

If you have ever eaten at Ward's Grill, then you know Cindi Ledbetter.  Through all the changes in the past few years, Cindi is the one constant figure that you can depend on to be there flitting from table to table or running over to Thompson's Store to help in a pinch.

Cindi Ledbetter is a Saluda girl who lived in Saluda before hard working parents, Willie B. and Maudie Johnson, moved the family to Flat Rock when she was one.  Although the family was living in Flat Rock, Cindi and her sister spent almost every weekend with her Uncle Bob and Aunt Aud who lived in the old Dar Taylor's house west of town on Coates Street. Dar Taylor was the owner of the Gulf Oil Station where the Depot building is now.  Returning to Saluda by the time she was a freshman in high school, she attended Saluda School and graduated from there in 1972. Giving up a college scholarship, one month later she married Saluda native, Tommy Ledbetter. They settled in Saluda and raised two sons, Cody and Scott, who currently live in Hendersonville. Cindi and Tommy have two granddaughters and one grandson.

Times were simpler growing up in Saluda, and Saturday was a special day for Cindi and her sister  because that's when her Dad would bring them to town to buy meat for the week from Thompson's Store. It was a treat to get a hot dog at Ward's Grill.  Square dancing at the school's gymnasium on a Saturday night gave the family another opportunity to have fun in Saluda.  Cindi, her sister, and cousins shared one bicycle, and she remembers how they would ride the bike down the steep hill from their uncle's house to the street.  Two of them would be at the top of the hill and one would be at the bottom to watch for cars.  Once, her sister, Barbara, was coming down the hill and her cousin screamed, "car, car, car."  Barbara veered off to the right, flipped over a fire hydrant, and landed in a blackberry patch. Unscathed, she climbed out, entangled with the vines and looked like a blackberry bush. Cindi still gets a chuckle from the memory.

Camping at Lake Summit was how Cindi and her family vacationed.  Her Dad would load up the truck with two bales of hay, quilts, fishing poles, and a box of food.  Once at the campsite, beds were made with the hay and quilts, and they would fish, swim, and play for a week at a time, sleeping under the railroad trestle. 

Working part time for Clippard Insurance was one of Cindy's first jobs in Saluda.  She worked for Billie Bagenstos who owned United Farm Real Estate from 1973 to 1976 before working at Autumn Care for Ursi Ward.  She worked in medical records, in the office and helped out when needed in social services, and with activities.

After her son, Scott was born, Cindi became a stay-at-home Mom until Cody went to kindergarten in 1989.  That's when she went to work at Ward's Grill and Thompson's Store.

Going to work every day was like going home. The grill was the hub of the town, and locals met there every day huddled together sharing news or solving problems. She knew everybody that came in, unlike today when the grill fills up with visitors and tourists. Cindi has ridden the waves of change over the years and no doubt will be there until she retires.  

When Cindi isn't working, she loves making crafts and flower arrangements.  She has made flower arrangements for weddings but mostly loves doing crafts for the pleasure it brings her.

Cindi describes Saluda as a "caring community" which helps people who are in need.  This has been demonstrated to Cindi personally when her mother and sister needed help and the community came to their aid.  Cindi's Dad always said, "You don't need money to be rich; when you have friends, you are the richest person in the world."  Cindy says that Saluda is a friend to those who embrace a slow pace and easy lifestyle.

Recent devastation of the Philippines caused by Typhoon Haiyan brought back memories of a very famous part-time summer resident of Saluda and one of the more notable people encountered during my childhood. Unfortunately, any journalistic desire on my part had not manifested itself at that early age and the opportunity to capture an interview from a true military hero was forever squandered.

U. S. Army Major General Edward Postell King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1884. A grandson and nephew of Confederate officers, he grew up wanting to be a soldier. However, his family wanted him to be a lawyer, so he was sent to the University of Georgia where he obtained his law degree. Unhappy with his civilian career, King applied for and was given a Regular Army Commission. Following a brilliant career during and following World War I, General King served in the Philippines as General Douglas McArthur's second-ranking general, after General Jonathan P. Wainwright.  Earlier, McArthur had been forced to flee the Philippines to avoid capture by a massive Japanese onslaught.

General King has been described as a modest, soft-spoken leader who showed great respect for troops of all rank. His reputation as an extremely able officer of high intellect led to his selection by General Wainwright to command the Luzon Forces in the final days of battle on Bataan in the Philippines. On him fell the terrible responsibility of making the hard decision to surrender his starved and disease-riddled troops to the Japanese forces less than three weeks after taking on the assignment.

On the morning of April 9, 1942, General King met with Major General Kameichiro Nagano, head of the Japanese Imperial Army's 14^th Infantry Division, to negotiate the surrender of the remaining American and Filipino troops on the battle-swept Bataan peninsula. More than 15,000 American and 60,000 Filipino prisoners-of-war were subsequently forced into the infamous Bataan Death March. Thousands of these soldiers died under Japanese captivity during the ensuing death march and subsequent imprisonment. General King spent three and a half years as a captive and was frequently abused due to his rank.

After  experiencing the horrors of the two World Wars, King retired back to Georgia and became a summer visitor to Saluda. At some point, he purchased a home on the little rise behind Nostalgia Courtyard. Injuries from the abuse suffered while in captivity forced him to rely heavily on a cane for support from his pronounced limp. Even though he witnessed and at times personally suffered years of inhumane treatment, this man still carried himself with dignity and kindness. I can still see this distinguished-looking former officer with his neatly trimmed mustache slowly walking to the Post Office, and on occasions, he would pay me to assist him in carrying his grocery purchases or doing little outside yard jobs around his house.

Subsequent to his passing in 1958, Mary King, sister of the General, inherited the house and continued to occupy it during the summers, while spending the winters in Savannah.  Army Brigadier General Vincent and Mrs. Agnes Meyer, family friends of the Kings, visited each summer to help Mary keep up the house. Unfortunately, the house burned in the 1980's.

This  great American hero is interred at St. Johns in the Wilderness Episcopal Church cemetery in Flat Rock. To have heard a first-hand account of his war experiences would be priceless now. However, as the old saying goes, " It's a shame to waste youth on the young."

Thompson's Store is located at 24 Main Street, in the heart of downtown Saluda.   Contact the store at 828-749-2321 or visit Thompson's Store online.