A quiet tranquility falls over Saluda in February while Saludians celebrate the month of love.  Showing your love in Saluda is easy to do. With the town's sweetest Main Street, intimate and fine-dining restaurants, and romantic charming inns and rustic cabins, there are many ways to celebrate Valentine's Day.  

Whether taking a hike to a romantic waterfall or having your breath taken away when zipping down the Gorge, romancing Saluda in February is exhilarating. 

January teased Saludians with spring-like weather, stirring up thoughts of spring and hesitant glances to the ground to look for early signs of jonquils bursting through. 

Saludians like to share their love of Saluda and invite you to make a special visit during the month of love.  It's a place where friends soon become family. 

Painting inside of heart is courtesy of plein air artist, Jim Carson. See more of Jim's Saluda paintings at jimcarson.net. 

Saluda Winterfest celebrates winter in Saluda with a series of three exciting dining and music events to take the bite off the frosty nights and ward off the winter blues, all while you wine and dine and listen to regional live bands.

Saluda Winterfest will be held at Upstairs at Historic Thompson Store/Ward's Grill with Chef Irmy Chmielewski serving up delicious winter comfort food.    

Dates are Saturday, February 28, and March 21 from 6pm to 8:30pm.  Tickets are $27 for dinner and entertainment.  Cash bar for wine and beer.  Limited to 50 tickets sold for each event.

If there is inclement weather, please call Irmy at 828-243-5007 or Judy at 828-674-5958 to see if the dinner/music will be canceled and rescheduled.

Music Schedule & Performers

Letters to Abigail is an Appalachian/Americana band based in Western North Carolina. Some folks describe their music as a simple southern pleasure.  Digging down into the roots of the region, they blend a classic approach to a new original sound, drenched in powerful lyrics, acoustic melodies and soulful harmonies. They released their debut CD, "Say Anything" in July 2013. The full length album was recorded at the internationally recognized and award winning Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, NC.

Chef Irmy serving "Roast Loin of Pork"

Terry grew up in London where he played rock music during the 60's. Since moving to North Carolina in 2003, he continues to perform concerts at listening rooms in the Western North Carolina area, entertaining audiences with original songs that reflect his unique style and perspective. At his solo shows, he supports his distinctive vocals with finger picked acoustic guitar and piano. He released his successful, original CD "This Time it's Personal" in 2011 and his latest CD, "Simply Love .." is scheduled for release in January 2015.

Chef Irmy serving " Shrimp and Grits "

Only 50 tickets available for each event so reserve tickets now by calling Judy Ward at 828-749-2321.  Tickets will go on sale December 15, 2014 and available at Historic Thompson's/Ward's Grill, The Dressing Room, and Cathy Jackson Realty.

Sponsored by the Saluda Downtown Foundation and proceeds will go toward funding projects to benefit downtown.

Pearson's Falls Opening February 1 with a Valentine's Day Special!  Two for one special entrance fee at Pearson's Falls.  This is a one day offer only. 

Pearson's Falls opens February 1, 2015. The February hours are Monday - Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM,  Sunday: Noon - 5 PM,  Gates close at 4:15 PM. 

 Hours from March 1 - October 31, 10 AM - 6 PM, Sunday, Noon - 6 PM,  Gates close at 5:15 PM.  Entry fee is $5.00.

2748 Pearson's Falls Rd., Saluda, NC, 828-749-3031. Visit website.  Click here for directions. 

For the second time since its beginnings in 1936 when Ed Leland strung the first telephone wire through treetops, the ownership of the Saluda Mountain Telephone will change hands when the purchase by Wilkes Communications & RiverStreet Networks closes in March. The deal was sealed on December 30, 2014.

Wilkes Communications is a membership cooperative operating in Wilkes County for 63 years providing the community traditional home telephone plus High Speed Internet and Digital TV over a Fiber-to-the-Prem network, safety and security with Wilkes Security and a full lineup of business solutions.

Eric Cramer, CEO says to tell Saluda citizens and businesses who are struggling with poor internet service and slow TV streaming, that "help is on the way." The first step after the acquisition will be the billing transition, then a build-up plan to assess Saluda's needs and build a network to provide Saluda with the same affordable high speed services that most major cities enjoy. "It will take some time to get there, but we are committed to giving Saluda the fastest networks possible," says Eric. The three TDS techs that you know will stay on board and continue servicing Saluda. They also hope to open a downtown office that will be open a few days a week.

Eric plans on visiting Saluda after the closing and looks forward to meeting business owners, city officials, and to get acquainted with the citizens of Saluda. After all, that is what they are all about....a small town company getting to know small town folks.

Saluda is fortunate to have many residents who volunteer their time, knowledge, and financial resources to improve the quality of life within and beyond our community. By way of example, one such volunteer can be seen frequently in the streets of Saluda walking the dogs that she fosters as they are being trained and are waiting to be adopted. Jan Daugherty, perhaps better known as an exceptionally accomplished musician as well as a violin instructor, has been active since 2007 as a volunteer with three canine rescue, fostering, and adoption organizations. Most of her work has been in conjunction with the statewide Carolina Border Collie rescue group located in Raleigh and, locally, with the Foothills Humane Society here in Polk County.

Foothills Humane Society - 828-863-4444  

foothillshumanesociety.org

Call for Artists 

SALUDA ARTS FESTIVAL

  Historic Downtown

Saluda,  NC

   May 16, 2015  

10am - 4pm

Cultivating and promoting its heritage in the arts, the Saluda Business Association invites you to enter your work in the 12th annual Saluda Arts Festival scheduled for May 16, 2015.  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:  $65 

Entry Deadline:  March 16, 2015

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

Are you up for a mysterious rendezvous this Valentine's Day? During the first half of February, Polk County Public Library wants to "fix you up" with a blind date! The library will select a variety of books and wrap them all up so you won't know the identity of your blind date until you get it home. Will it be fiction or non-fiction? Funny, informative, a mystery, romance? Hopefully you will end up with a great new read that you wouldn't have chosen yourself. So, stop by the Main Library in Columbus anytime between February 1^st and 14^th, and who knows, you might get lucky... If not in love, then literature perhaps?

Saluda Faces recognizes Saluda citizens that you may see often and wonder who they are, what they do, and why they live or work in Saluda. If you would like to refer someone for Saluda Faces, please email info@saludalifestyles.com.   

America may be a mobile society, but don't try to sell Gary Pace on it. He tried leaving Saluda once. It didn't take, and he's been here ever since.

"I left to work in a cotton mill over in South Carolina. They had me working in the room where they mixed up all the cotton dyes. It didn't take me long to figure out that was not going to be good for me to work." From there, it was back home to Saluda where he was born and raised, and there was a job waiting for him with his father, Horace Pace.

The elder Pace had an established business, providing yard and home maintenance services for local residents and the growing summer population. Most of the work was outside. Gary liked it, and in time, he spun off a business of his own.

"My dad gave me a few accounts to get started," Gary said, "and I've been doing this kind of work ever since. Of course, I had a good mentor--my dad." That was more than forty years ago, and he hasn't looked back. "It is a unique business," he said, adding that he really enjoys helping his clients. "I go back generations with some of them."

Gary can be seen around Saluda, likely wearing hunting camouflage and a cap against the cold. His pickup is usually filled with the tools of his trade. And while working outdoors is a big part of it, he said recent winters don't seem quite as harsh. "I can remember years when we had snow on the ground for two months."

There was a time when the summer people were just that, Gary said. They only came up to their vacation homes in the summer and early autumn. That's changed now. "I wind up checking on houses all times of the year--furnaces, water, firewood--things like that. It's more than just working in clients' yards now," Gary said, and his business has grown--grown to the point that he can't take any more clients. When asked about expanding his business, he just shook his head. "I really like working alone. With all the new outdoor equipment that's out there, I can get a lot more done by myself," Gary said. "I'm not in the computer age, though," he said, smiling from behind a neatly trimmed white beard. But he admits to having a cell phone. "I don't use it much. I've got it just in case I get caught out there some place and get stuck."

Gary smiled as he talked about his childhood in Saluda and growing up in the Pace household. "We could only ride our bikes to town on Saturday--Dad's rules," he explained. "It was really a quiet little town back then--nobody on Main Street on Saturdays--but we kids got together and found things to do. We had a lot of fun." Saluda is still a small town, but Gary said it's much busier than when he was growing up. "Weekends are really busy here now."

Big supermarkets may be just minutes away from Saluda today. That was not the case when Gary was growing up, and the Pace family diet reflected it. Their diet included wild game harvested from the surrounding forests and fresh vegetables from a family garden. He said it's something he still enjoys to this day.

"I like to hunt--deer hunting," he said, but it's not just for sport. "My dad taught us to only kill something that we'd eat." He also still prefers fruit and vegetables from local gardens. "I really like knowing where my food comes from."

By Ken Webb

Author of "Mr. Carter's Sword" 

"Circle left-everybody!" shouts the caller and the hilarious crowd moves spiritedly to do his bidding. The banjos strum, the lights are brightened and the square dance is under way. As the set progresses, the momentum of its noise and gaiety swells until the lusty cries of the caller are barely audible above the din of laughing voices and scraping feet. The square dance holds a unique place in the social life of Saluda. It is easily considered the high-spot of the week and is entered into with enthusiasm by natives and summer visitors alike.

Here one finds the remotest vestige of any social difference swept away by the air of friendly cordiality with which the people mingle with one another. With equal impartiality, the infectious swing of the set appeals to all ­regardless of age or station in life. The banker's daughter and the washerwoman's son are convulsed with merriment as the caller's voice thunders, "Swing yore honey babe!"

The picturesque routine represents a kind of "last fron­tier" of mountain legend for despite the countless books written upon the peculiarities of the inhabitants of this sec­tion, a comparative stranger is often astounded to notice that these friendly folk with whom he is dancing are pri­marily the same as himself, having the same social instincts and reacting to the occasion with the same happy abandon.

On being introduced into the intricacies of the dance, one is apt to be amazed and confounded by the confusion, but by close observation, and perhaps a helpful remark from another more 'adept', the same confusion resolves itself into a neat pattern of "figures" each with a diverting cap­tion of its own such as "Sweep the floor," and "Georgia Rang-tang."

Because of the many and varied accounts already written of the history of these dances, a brief summary will here suffice.

Until about twelve years ago folk dancing did not come under the heading of a community enterprise. Its potenti­alities as such were first recognized by the Young People's Service League of the Episcopal Church. The president of the organization at the time was Walter Preston, who has ever since taken an active part in the program of these affairs.

The first public square dances of Saluda sponsored by the Y.P.S.L. were given in Library Hall, but their popularity so rapidly increased that within several years there was no longer adequate floor space for the many enthusiasts. Fortunately, during the winter of 1933-34 sufficient gov­ernment relief funds were allotted to the Saluda school for a modern gymnasium the size of which was more in keep­ing with the size of the square dance crowds.

Each summer for the past four years, under capable di­rection, the dances have readily grown into affairs of as­tounding proportions. At the height of the season it is not unusual to have well over a hundred couples on the floor at one time.

The dances are given primarily for the benefit of the high school athletic association, and do much toward keeping that necessary and worthy organization on its feet. The demand for this type of recreation has proved so great that now, in addition to the regular Friday night dances, there are several others throughout the week in smaller private halls, among which are those on Smith Hill, given by. Dr. D. L. Smith and to which he hospitably invites the entire population.

"Friendly Chatter" was a regular column in the "Saluda Magazine." This magazine was published by Susan Leland Craig from 1936-1938.  Most of the chatter during that era was about people moving to Saluda, marriages, recipes, and resident's achievements.  Saluda Lifestyles invites you to send your "friendly chatter." Just email to info@saludalifestyles.com.  

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Grace Phillips wants to alert the community to the growing problem with coyotes within the city area, and to ask all to be extra careful with pets, particularly as the daylight wanes and also early in the morning. Residents may want to keep their pets, especially cats, in during those times. There have been several cats loss to these coyotes.

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