Meet Your Neighbors

Created to Create

By: Lauren Ketwitz and Natalya Arkell

Owners of Earthly Minds Gallery and Gift Shop, Sabrina Romero and Kristen Mode, met five years ago at an art show, unaware that their lives would later become intertwined through their passion for art and community. “It all started with a conversation”, reminisced Sabrina Romero.

Nestled under the Brass Latch and the Wildflour Bakery in Nostalgia Courtyard, Earthly Minds is going strong in its third year of business. With treasures from local artists including crocheted hats, handmade jewelry, one-of-a-kind mixed media pieces, and even resin-pour tables showcasing foraged foliage, this gallery’s variety is inclusive and accessible for anyone looking to discover art they can connect with.

Photo courtesy of www.earthlymindsgallery.com

Inside, the warmth Sabrina and Kristen have cultivated is palpable in the atmosphere. It is a textbook passion project, and it shows. As their friendship blossomed, casual talks about one day opening an art gallery grew into a reality. In the span of just one month, the duo transformed an empty retail space into the gallery of their dreams. “When we went to visit the shop, everything felt right,” Sabrina said. “The community was like family, so we decided to not overthink and just do it.”

Earthly Minds joined the majority of businesses in Saluda by being women-owned, and Sabrina noted that Saluda is an awesome community to start a business in. “There's something special about Saluda and its locals that I can't really put my finger on,” she said.

That community shines through when looking at both the business model and the camaraderie the owners share. While most galleries charge a commission percentage of art sold, Earthly Minds only charges a rental fee for space with 100% of the proceeds going to the artist. “It’s nice to know exactly where your money is going when you shop here,” Sabrina said. “We want to encourage people to be more artistic, shop local and lean on your neighbors when you’re in need.”

When Sabrina was expecting a child in 2020, Kristen was there through the good days and bad to lend a helping hand. “She was so supportive through my pregnancy, especially because COVID had just hit,” Sabrina said. “She would bring me eggs from her chickens and whatever else I needed at home.”

Sabrina isn’t the only one familiar with Kristen’s compassion. At home, Kristen also cares for her dogs, two horses, a gecko, two bearded dragons and a frog, as well as embarking on massive projects such as painting a whole food truck bus for Wilderness Cove Campground. In addition to running the shop most weekdays, it’s safe to say she enjoys keeping herself busy.

Photo courtesy of www.earthlymindsgallery.com

As for Sabrina, her hands tend to stay full taking care of her two children and working with her fiance towards their goal of making their home and surrounding land completely self-sufficient. She also admitted to having a slight obsession with her potted plants… “The shop is slowly being taken over by them,” Sabrina laughed. “I counted my plants at home and I have over 150 right now.”

Like the shop name suggests, Sabrina and Kristen strive to weave their love and respect for nature both into their art and their day to day lives. Most recently they removed the use of paper products in their shop, instead opting for bamboo, which is more renewable, biodegradable and compostable than wood paper products. Sabrina also forages all of the organic elements in her art; leaves, ferns, insects and mushrooms are hand-gathered locally.

Photo courtesy of Natalya Arkell

Earthly Minds channels that which we all love most about Saluda, the small town feeling of community comfort and belonging. This interview was a true delight; we hope you visit Earthly Minds to find a hidden treasure or just enjoy the bright atmosphere and plethora of plants.

If you or someone you know is thinking about sharing art with the world, make sure to inquire at Earthly Minds. They’re currently accepting new artists! Whether you’re a first-timer or an expert, Sabrina and Kristen offer a space for all; “We see, care and feel very deeply because we all have a lot to say,” Sabrina remarked. “We are inspired to inspire, and created to create.”

It Smelled Like Turpentine, It Looked like Indian Ink” 

Saint Valentine’s Day, the History of Love Potions, and Medicine for the Heart

By Jeanne Ferran

Part 1

 “The course of love never did run smooth”            

 -Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare

  Evidence of love has been found in every culture that has ever been studied. Love is a fundamental part of who we are as people. It has inspired art, music, and architecture, It has caused wars, altered legal systems, and changed the course of history. Love is instrumental in our experience and crucial to what it means to be human. And while it is the most important thing to our species, when we talk about it, we limit it down to a one-day celebration for just the romantic variety in which greeting card companies get most of the credit.  

  I cruise the seasonal aisle at the Dollar General, trying to exercise every ounce of self-control, as I pass chocolate roses and candy hearts. All holidays and traditions have origins somewhere, and often they are fascinating, pagan, and a little unhinged to the modern brain. Today we will dive into the origins and mythology of our modern celebration of romance.

WHO IS SAINT VALENTINE? 

  Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who lived around 250 years after the death of Jesus when Christians were heavily persecuted. Back then, the emperor, Claudius II, prohibited marriage of young people because he believed that unwed soldiers fought better than married ones. Valentine married young couples in secret, but when he got caught, he was charged with violating the emperor’s rule. He was imprisoned and tortured, but he healed his judge’s blind daughter as a test of his Christian faith. Legend says he fell in love with her, and he signed a letter to her, “from your Valentine.” Despite this miracle, he was still sentenced to a three-part execution. He was beaten, stoned, and decapitated. Saint Valentine’s remains now reside in a shrine in Dublin, Ireland. He is not only the patron saint of romantic love, but he is also the patron of travelers, epilepsy, beekeepers, and fainting.        

ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS: MODERATION IS THE KEY

“I mix three kraters only for those who are wise. One is for good health, which they drink first. The second is for love and pleasure. The third is for sleep, and when they have drunk it those who are wise wander homewards. The fourth is no longer ours but belongs to hubris. The fifth leads to shouting. The sixth to a drunken revel. The seventh to black eyes. The eighth to a summons. The ninth to bile. The tenth to madness, in that it makes people throw things.”

-Dionysus, from the play by Eubulus, a cautionary tale on wine mixing.

  Ancient Babylon was rife with love potions, spells, and incantations, mostly lost to history, but one famous wedding tradition has endured. After the sacred marriage rite, the bride and groom would drink honey wine for the first lunar month of their union. Both honey and wine have been used in various cultures, including Vedic traditions, as an aphrodisiac and to boost fertility, and from this tradition we enjoy the honeymoon. 

  As we all know, Greek myths are “borrowed” from various ancient gods from central Asia, and these stories, in all of their manifestations, involve manipulation through love potions, particularly through the gods’ intervention with humans and even other gods. For example, Hercules, the epitome of strength and physical force, was killed when his second wife, worried about infidelity and responding to Hera's duplicitous urging, rubbed the centaur’s poisonous blood on his tunic. Instead of dying at the hand of a deadly foe, Hercules died when this poison seeped through his skin.

  Aphrodite, the goddess of romantic love and beauty, is based on even earlier Mesopotamian and Sumerian goddesses, and it is from her name that we get the word “aphrodisiac,” which is just a food or drink that causes desire.. She is meddled in the affairs of men and gods in all sorts of ways, most famously by enticing Paris, the young prince from Ilium, with Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, the daughter of Zeus, and wife to Menelaus, ruler of war-hungry Sparta. Aphrodite’s disobedient yet loyal son Eros (“Desire”), sired by Chaos, ignited the torch of love and desire through the strike of his arrows. Aphrodite and Eros were responsible for the unchecked passion of Medea, the daughter of King Aetes and granddaughter of Helios, for Jason, the ambitious prince who takes advantage of Medea’s fervor to steal the Golden Fleece. Before the spell of love wore off and Medea realized Jason’s tragic flaw, she lost her family (including her brother by her own hand), her country, her sons (also by her own hand), and her reputation. 

  The ancient Greeks passed down a few special plants that we still use today in our Valentine’s Romantic rituals, the most important being the rose. The rose the ancient Greeks were most likely working with is Rosa gallica, and pink-blossomed aromatic shrub of this 2 million year old plant family. According to myth, Chloris, the goddess of flowers, breathed new life to an expiring woodland nymph. Dionysis gave the flower its scent, and Aphrodite gave its name by rearranging the letters to her son’s name. Eros bribed the god Harpocrates, the god of silence, with the flower to ensure he kept the indiscretions of the gods private. In one version of the myth, when the object of Aphrodite’s affection, Adonis, dies, his blood is transformed to roses. Records indicate that roses have been used around the Mediterranean and ancient Byzantine empires as a medicinal ingredient for thousands of years. Decorations of roses in sitz baths were used for “women troubles,” including issues with conception. 

  The use of roses was not only medicinal, but it was also a status symbol. First century Greek medical writer Dioscordes tells the arduous process of making rose oil: Macerate 1000 rose petals overnight, then strain, reinfusing the oil with 1000 more rose petals. Repeat 7 times. The ancient Romans were no stranger to the rose and her properties. Legend has it that Cleopatra, who doused herself in orange blossom essential oils as a way to ease men into diplomatic negotiations, “woo’ed” Marc Anthony with over a foot of rose petals in her bedroom. Roman emperors had rosewater piped through fountains, soaked awnings in rose oil and stuffed pillows with rose petals. And of course, it was highly fashionable for Romans to use roses in love potions.

  Romans also used cinnamon as an aphrodisiac. In fact, the word “cinnamon” was synonymous with “sweetheart.” Most ancient Mediterranean cultures viewed their plants using the “Doctrine of Signatures-” whatever organ the plant resembled, that organ is what the plant assisted. So, as you load your plate this Valentine’s Day, don’t pass on the asparagus, artichokes, oysters, or mushrooms, but do pass on the Spanish Fly. The Spanish Fly, or Blister Beetle, was thought to inflame desire. The wings contain a toxin that causes— ahem– swelling, but also blistering, as the name implies. It can also induce organ failure, as Roman Epicurean philosopher Lucretius learned the hard way. His death “by philitre” did not deter others from trying out this ingredient. In fact, roughly 1800 years later, the Marquis de Sade, at one of his swanky parties, nearly killed all the women in attendance when he distributed candies infused with the toxin.  

  And finally, we come to one of the greatest aphrodisiacs of our ancient ancestors: wine. Dionysus, the Greek god of winemaking, poetry, and theater, was often praised for wine’s ability to loosen people from the grips of societal conventions and self-consciousness and into states of ecstatic dance and joy. He is one of the few Greek gods who is benevolent to humans. Throughout history, warnings of moderation pepper ancient records. We don’t have to look far into the Old Testament to see the nefarious and salacious uses of wine: in Genesis, Lot’s daughters drug him with it in order to get pregnant. Regardless of the warnings, wine, particularly red wine, is an effective “love potion.” Studies have shown a glass or two of red wine stimulates the hypothalamus, the command center of the brain, triggers the heart and circulatory system, engages the “happy” hormones, and reduces anxiety: in other words, it “primes the pump” for romance. 

A RECIPE INSPIRED BY THE PERIOD: MULLED WINE 

  This recipe is ancient and pervasive throughout the world. Feel free to modify it according to taste. 

Combine Peeled oranges, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamon, star anise, red wine, and honey (to sweeten) over medium heat. Strain and share.

  Consider adding other spices with aphrodisiac qualities: damiana, ginger, astragalus roots, fo-ti root, ashwagandha root

EUROPE: THE DARK AGES (OF ROMANCE)   

On alcohol: “Lechery, sir, provokes and unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance.” (Macbeth II.iii)

  Science has shown that when a person is rejected in love, our brains trick us into feeling deep attachment while flooding the brain with chemicals associated with romantic love. This triggers the reward system, tricking the brain into thinking that intensity of emotion, focus, and motivation will rekindle the lost or unrequited love. This, of course, is nonsense. But nothing is as nonsensical as the Middle Ages response to the ancient problem of unrequited love: I present to you: the Sweat Cake. The Sweat Cake is a concoction that one makes by infusing, within the dough, sweat, blood, bodily fluid, hair and skin, with the hope of infusing one’s “essence" (the precursor to pheromones, perhaps) in order to attract the object of affection. One recipe calls for the cake to be made while naked (as we know bathing was not a common occurrence in this period); even others include mashed bones (yours) and blood (theirs) to the batter. 

  Basically, love potions and spells fall under two categories: Those that encourage love (or at least, connection), and those that satisfy lust. What I have discovered is that the love potions that relate to romantic love do have scientific backing as good for the body, particularly the nervous and circulatory system. The ingredients that we have mentioned so far are those that act on the brain through the “love hormones” (oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine). The lust potions, used to manipulate others, often contain toxic alkaloids that induce hallucinations and are borderline fatal. Here are some examples.

  First, a Love Potion. In the 12th century Celtic story of the star-crossed lovers Tristan and Iseult, the princess drinks a love potion meant for her wedding night with the king ( Tristan’s uncle). The “potion” causes her to fall for Tristan, her handsome knight and escort. The love potion? Wine. 

  400 years later, Shakespeare produced a similar play, Romeo and Juliet, a cautionary tale about young “love” and the dangers of adding the nightshade family (Solanaceae) to your love potions. Nightshades can, due to the alkaloids including atropine, cause loss of muscular control, constrict pupils, induce heart palpitations, delirium, and hallucinations, slow down the nervous system, and in larger doses, induce coma or even death. In fact, Atropine is named after the third fate in Greek mythology- the one who brought death upon a person in the time and manner of her will. Interestingly enough, Italian women used to drop deadly nightshade into their eyes to dilate the pupils- which may be the derivative of another member of the nightshade family, Belladonna.

  The member of the nightshade family used in Shakespeare’s plays most often was Mandrake (Mandragora). Mandrake is not the most toxic in the family, but it may have the worst reputation. Shakespeare’s audience, versed in the classics, would have known that the Romans thought the long, anthropomorphic- looking root could cure demonic possession and that the Greeks, clued in on the suggestive appearance of the plant, included it in love potions. Cleopatra begs for it when Antony leaves her. But its most famous use is when the friar gives Juliet a mandrake-infused sleeping draught, promising her, “The rose in thy lips and cheeks shall fade/to paly ashes, thy eye’s windows fall/ Like death when he shuts up the day of life.” 

  Written records of mandrake go back as far as the 14th century BC throughout the ancient world, and it was used to treat everything from infertility (as recorded in the Old Testament) to insomnia. In the battle of Carthage in 200 BC, Hannibal left behind casks of mandrake-laced wine, drugged his enemy, then returned when they were passed out and slaughtered them. I should note that this mandrake bears no relation to our Mayapple, sometimes called mandrake (Polophyllum peltatum)

  Henbane (Hyoscyamus) is another member of the nightshade family that, interestingly enough, was used to communicate with the divine. Ancient Greeks considered it a sacred plant of Apollo, and through it messages could be received from Dionysus, the muses, and of course, Aphrodite. In ancient Greece, henbane was also used as a poison on arrows (possibly a cause of Eros and his deranged pairings). In the Middle Ages, henbane, known as a “Witch’s Herb,” gave the hallucinatory sense of flying when applied as a salve. However, the next day, the “witch” would not remember any of it. Europeans used henbane as a precursor to hops when brewing beer. Shakespeare’s use of henbane is most familiar as the “cursed hebanon:'' the poison Claudius poured into his brother King Hamlet’s ear. Men in a “seeking state” even wore the root on the outside of their clothing as a way to attract females. Perhaps due to the use of nightshade in love potions, Saint Valentine also became the patron saint of epilepsy and fainting.

RECIPE FOR AN HERBAL BATH, INSPIRED BY THE PERIOD WHEN BATHING WAS CONSIDERED SINFUL:

  For one (or two), draw a warm bath. Infuse the bath with Epsom salts, rose petals, and other aromatic herbs, such as Rosemary, (“for remembrance”) pansies, (“that’s for thoughts,” and it is the love potion used in Midsummer Night’s Dream) Romans also believed thyme had aphrodisiac properties, and basil was honored by adherents of Aphrodite, so add that too, as herbs can be absorbed through the skin.  

  Set aside new, dried or fresh servings of the culinary herbs (rosemary, thyme, and basil) and later, add them to your favorite vegetable dish. Don’t add the ones you used in your bath.

  According to tradition, if you are single but do not want to be, invoke Saint Agnes, who will show you an apparition of your future betrothed in the mirror.

(Part 2 is just after Sister City)

Do you have a question or a topic you would like to see discussed?

Do you have an aphrodisiac or recipe you would like to share?

If so, please drop a line to jmferran@gmail.com

Come Share Smiles At The Saluda Open Mic

Every couple of months there is an evening filled with stories, jokes, songs, dances, happy tears, and smiles that happen at the Open Mic right here in Saluda.

The night starts with people hustling to plug in microphones, move benches, and set out a sweet treat for guests. People often start trickling in before six, talking and laughing before the show really starts. Nervous musicians, young energetic and information filled fact sharers, excited storytellers, rowdy dancers, and tired dad joke tellers fill the pavilion with their talents.

Afterwards people linger to talk before saying goodbye thinking of when the next Open-Mic might be. Come join us on February 18th, at 6:00 pm at the Saluda Community Center.



JIM CARSON AIS OPA

STUDIO / GALLERY

20-2 Main St., Saluda, NC

  Jim’s painting, “Cozy in the Woods” 20x24, has been accepted in the Oil Painters of America’s 33^rd Annual National Exhibition, held this year in the Wiedemann Gallery at Mark Arts in Wichita, Kansas, from April 5 -May 31, 2024.

  This is Jim’s fifth acceptance to an OPA National Exhibition. Three acceptances are required to become a Signature Member, and Jim became a Signature Member in 2019. Signature Members may add “OPA” after their signature.

  The total national awards will be over $100,000 in cash and merchandise, including $25,000 cash for Best in Show.

  The Awards Judge this year will be Sherrie McGraw OPAM.

Jim’s Feb. 18-20 workshop is full.

Jim’s Winter Studio/Gallery hours are:

Fridays, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Saturdays 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Sundays 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Monday-Thursday, By appointment or chance.

For more information, email jimcarson151@gmail.com,

call 828 7493702(studio), 828 8173376 (cell), or visit www.jimcarson.net.

The accompanying painting, “Cozy in the Woods”, is a picture of the accepted painting.



We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming one-night-only Broadway Variety Show at Mountain Page Theater! This event is a fundraiser for our theater to get a new roof, and promises to be an evening of outstanding entertainment.

At Mountain Page Theater, our mission is to provide a place for the youth of the community to discover themselves through the performing arts. By attending our Broadway Variety Show, you will not only have a fantastic time but also contribute to this worthy cause. There will be beer, wine, and appetizers for sale and a silent auction! All proceeds will go towards our theater's much-needed new roof.

This musical masterpiece will feature songs from Cabaret, Phantom of The Opera, Anything Goes, Cinderella, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Hello Dolly, Sweeney Todd, and more! 

Tickets are $20

Doors open at 6:00

Show starts at 7:00

Purchase your tickets at www.mountainpage.theater/upnext or at

Looking Glass Realty, Monday-Friday 9-5.

Questions: ashleyonstage@gmail.com



CALLING ALL SINGERS

ABLE TO SING THEIR PART IN FOUR-PART CHORUS MUSIC!

• Come join Mountain Song Community Chorus and find your place in our musical family. 
• Rehearsals begin Monday, February 12 for our Spring Season and continue each Monday 6:30 to 8pm at the Saluda Senior Center.
• Spring concerts presented during the first week of May plus sing for the Saluda Arts Festival, Saturday May 18.

Go to www.MountainSong.Info to enroll or

access more info about our chorus.

COME JOIN US, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU!



As February unfolds in Saluda, The Purple Onion welcomes you to a month of warmth and connection. In this season of serene beauty and crisp mornings, we celebrate love in all its forms. From our cherished community, families, loved ones, partners of all kinds, to the seasonal bounty on our plates, February offers us an opportunity to acknowledge and inspire those around us that help support and make life possible. Our specially curated menu offers comforting flavors and innovative creations, perfect for savoring in the company of friends, family, or someone special. Join us in embracing the simple joys and heartfelt warmth that define this wonderful time of year in our beloved town.

The S.P.O.T.!

What does cold weather have in common with the SPOT? Chill factor. Come and join us for some “chill” evenings at the SPOT this winter season with chili infused margaritas and house made tacos. We’ve got just the right amount of spice to warm you up. Join us for themed nights on our heated porch or see us in action by the bar.

http://www.thespotsaluda.com 

The S.P.O.T. Hours

Open Thursday, Friday, and Sunday 3 pm - 8pm.

Open Saturdays 12 pm - 8pm.

Themed Nights

Thursday Tequila Night – Find out what fun specialty tequila cocktail we’ve come up with this week

Friday Fire Night – Join us by the fire pit for a rustic evening. 

Saturday Night – Movie Night

Sunday Family Game Night – free board games to bring the family together.

Upcoming Live Music Calendar

Thursday Evening @ 7:30 p.m.

*Cover Charge*

Feb 15th ~ Anya Hinkle - $15

Using the medium of Appalachian string band tradition, Anya Hinkle is a force when it comes to storytelling through song. With arresting honesty and a beautiful voice reminiscent of whiskey – smooth with an alluring hint of smoke – Hinkle straddles the bounds of bluegrass and country, resulting in some of the best Americana Roots has to offer. Playing tunes that flutter through beautiful finger-picked themes, invoking folk melodies from the past, Anya Hinkle will walk you through an artfully crafted story, evolving into an unknown inner psychological and surreal music space. It’s the honesty and grit in Hinkle’s music that pulls you in.

Ticket Link

Feb 17th ~ Time Sawyer - $14

Time Sawyer’s name reflects the pull between the past and the future. The character Tom Sawyer evokes the rural background and love of home that the band shares. Time is a muse for songwriting; it’s the thread that runs through life, bringing new experiences and giving us a sense of urgency, while still connecting us with our past. A folk-rock band whose songs call out the attitudes and behaviors that lead to our divisions – the way that we show understanding to our friends and family, without thinking about how folks outside our social circle are experiencing their own problems, and are, at heart, just like us.

Ticket Link

Feb 22nd ~ Underhill Rose -$10

Harmonies. Soul-touching lyrics. Eye-catching stage presence. Underhill Rose has become synonymous with beautiful music, charming personalities, and rippling success. Since 2009, the band from Asheville, North Carolina has independently released four albums, with two landing in the top of the Americana Music Association Airplay Chart and Roots Music Report Chart, all the while garnering critical acclaim from around the globe. Get to know the joyful soaring voice of Molly Rose and her acoustic guitar and the distinctive styling of Eleanor Underhill’s open-back banjo and salty-blues vocals. Underhill Rose creates music that is real and inspired.

Ticket Link

Feb 24th ~ Brooks Forsyth - $10

Hailing from the mountains of North Carolina, Brooks Forsyth is a musician of Appalachia and beyond. He began busking on street corners in his hometown of Boone, NC and has since become a Nashville recording artist. Encompassing a variety of sounds within Americana, he has a large repertoire of original songs, and a versatile guitar style consisting of both flatpicking and fingerpicking techniques. This versatile guitar player reels in the audience with a masterful flat and fingerpicking style and his melodic storyteller voice. With three albums under his belt, Brooks is an accomplished songwriter whose music can be heard worldwide.

Ticket Link

Feb 29th~ Wilder Flower - $10

The Wilder Flower is an Upstate SC and Western NC based trio, featuring Danielle Yother on guitar, Madeline Dierauf on fiddle, and Molly Johnson on banjo. Playing throughout the Carolinas, the group has traveled and toured as far as Ohio, Alabama, and Georgia. Their collaboration flexes between folk, Americana, bluegrass, and Old-time tunes. Vocally, the trio thrives on three-part harmonies and originals. 

Ticket Link

Hiring

Positions available at The Purple Onion and The S.P.O.T. Come work in a team-oriented, high-volume, fast-paced, environment to deliver the best dining experience to our guests. MORE INFORMATION HERE

February is the month of love! Join us for Valentine’s Day, Feb 14, where we will introduce our new cocktails and dessert specials that are now on our bar and food menu. Come have lunch or dinner and bring your special person for a relaxing time in an awesome atmosphere. If you need a last-minute gift, Saluda Outfitters has a variety of gift ideas—including gift cards.

At Green River Eddy’s Tap Room and Grill, our chefs are getting saucy and creating some crave-worthy specials in addition to our new desserts and cocktails. For Super Bowl Sunday, they created a host of fresh sauces to go with our already awesome smoked wings. If you like parmesan, garlic, buffalo, chipotle lime, sweet chili--just to name a few—then you gotta’ drop by and try some combos soon! Chefs Hector and Julia are always in the kitchen cooking up something special like braised beef loaded nachos. They are continuing to add to our menu and have some great surprises coming soon!

Don’t forget our live music every Friday and Saturday night and we have some exciting news—we are now going to offer Sunday music 2-5 p.m. starting in March. This will allow us to bring in more of the tremendous local talent. Sign up for our newsletter on our website so you can add all our upcoming events to your calendar and never miss a favorite performer.

Be sure to come by for our President’s Day sales as we celebrate Feb. 19. The weather is still cold and we have some super winter sales. Spend your long weekend relaxing in Saluda, shopping, eating and enjoying live music. What more could you ask for?

Retail & Tap Room Winter Hours: Closed on Tuesdays

—10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

—11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

—11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays

—10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays

Kitchen Hours:

—11 a.m. to closing daily (closed on Tuesdays)

Contact Information:

Call the store at 828-848-4060; email, info@saludaoutfitters.com or stay in touch via our Facebook pages https://www.facebook.com/saludaoutfitters or https://www.facebook.com/greenrivereddystaproom/ where we routinely post updates; on Instagram @saludaoutfitters; or on our website: www.saludaoutfitters.com.

Live Music at Green River Eddy’s Tap Room & Grill

Friday, Feb. 16, 6-9 p.m. | Mike Pauer is a Hendersonville musician who brings a mix of folk, American, and alt rock covers to his performances, with original storytelling tunes in the mix. A singer/songwriter, he covers greats like Jim Croce, Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers. His original lyrics touch on the meaning of life and family.

Saturday, Feb. 17, 6-9 p.m. | The “Dirty South” Acoustic Duo will bring the best in country music to the stage. Whether performing as lead singer in his popular group The “Dirty South” Band or performing as a duo with one of his band mates, BJ Cates of Tryon shows his love of country music, classic rock and blues.

Friday, Feb. 23, 6-9 p.m. | Jim Tatum & Ed Esposito are musicians probably best known locally as part of the 5-piece Double Naught Spies band based in Tryon. Jim plays lead/rhythm/slide guitar and sings; Ed also plays lead/rhythm guitar and sings.

Saturday, Feb. 24, 6-9 p.m. | Matt A. Phillips Trio of Easley, S.C., has been performing around the Upstate for the last few years. The group plays an eclectic mix of covers including favorites like the Allman Brothers “Whipping Post,” John Mayer’s “Gravity,” and The Beatles’ “Come Together.”



FINALLY! A Summer Camp in Saluda!

Join Mountain Page Theater for a YAK Summer Camp! At our camp we facilitate creative experiences for our YAK (Young Actors Krew) kids to connect with one another, express themselves and stretch their imaginations. In this summer’s six-week camp, youth ages 5-17 will explore, create, and collaborate all through the wonderful lens of theatre. Our summer show will be Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. and the children will be responsible for everything from designing and building sets, sound and lighting systems, acting, choreography, teaching and more, depending on their interests and skills. Camp will end with 2 public, matinee shows on Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14 so the children can show the community what they have accomplished!

Camp will run for 6 weeks, from June 4th - July 14th, 3 days a week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Children ages 5 - 17 are eligible for summer camp. Camp hours are 9am-12pm unless otherwise noted. Registrations are on a first come, first served basis and the cost of camp is a one-time $100 registration fee which is due upon registration. The registration fee covers the costs of snacks, costumes, sets and so much more. 

The children will go on a fantastic musical adventure with an out-of-this-world car that flies through the air and sails the seas. Eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts, sets about restoring an old race car with the help of his children Jeremy and Jemima. They soon discover the car is magic and has the ability to float and take flight!

Registration opens March 1st. Space is limited. Go to www.mountainpage.theater for more information or contact MPT's Facilitator, Ashley Sandahl, at ashleyonstage@gmail.com



News from Preserving A Picturesque America

AMERICA, THE LAND WE LIVE IN

Premieres on PBS Stations Beginning February 23

Explore America’s Hidden Treasures and National Wonders

Through the Lens of a 19^th Century Travelogue

Saluda’s own “preservation through art” advocate is getting national attention. For more than a decade Scott (“Doc”) Varn has dedicated his talent and his non-profit organization, Preserving a Picturesque America (PAPA), to promoting conservation and preservation efforts in WNC and around the country. As PAPA’s Executive Director, Varn recruits local artists to create current renditions of locales first captured in the 1870s publication Picturesque America. 

Now, Picturesque America is coming to PBS. This year, PBS is piloting America, The Land We Live In for a possible new series that will air on local affiliates during its Spring Pledge Drive. The pledge drive runs from late February through early March. The pilot will also be available through PBS Passport, the network’s streaming service, beginning 2/23/24.

Join “Doc” and co-host/photojournalist Sophia Michelin, along with many local personalities, on their quest to find the exact sites that inspired the original artwork of the 1870s. This PBS show traces the rediscovery of the beautiful places that had been featured in the original, 150-year-old publication, Picturesque America.

In its official press release, PBS explains: “With no GPS coordinates to guide them, Doc and Sophia begin their treasure hunt in the majestic mountains of North Carolina, where they seek out guidance from locals, historians and river guides to find locations along the French Broad River — from rocky outcroppings and sweeping vistas to a mysterious old farm and a needle in a haystack ‘mountain island.’ Here, they venture off the beaten path on rugged adventures that take them whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking and fly fishing.

The journey continues in South Carolina, just a few hours away but worlds apart, where Doc and Sophia search for treasures among Charleston’s preserved architecture and polished gardens. They experience Lowcountry traditions and hunt for one of the most impressive, giant live oak trees east of the Mississippi. Along the way, they visit a worldfamous artist’s studio, meet basket weavers who share their inherited craft, and explore the coastal waterways with a Gullah Geechee fisherwoman. With a new twist around every corner, Doc and Sophia’s treasure hunt across America uncovers the “then and now” of each 150-year-old location while also discovering the culture, history, and beauty in each place.”

The series’ goal is to raise awareness of these places and, by so doing, ensure that they are protected for future generations to enjoy.

“It is our hope that this show will draw attention to PAPA’s critical, nationwide conservation work and draw more artists and organizations from around the country to participate,” Varn said.

On PBS Passport, viewing of “America, The Land We Live In” begins February 23.

On PBS-NC Explorer Channel, February viewing times are Saturday, February 24th at 7pm and Tuesday, February 27th at 3am. March viewing dates will be posted soon.

(Dis)ambiguation

Ae Hee Lee

Occasionally an automated e-mail

or a person I just met halves my name,

addresses me as Dear Ae,

not knowing this

to also mean Dear Love,

*

Are these the names they call themselves too,

I wonder: Sparrowhawk— Bluethroat—

Many times, I've not recognized

myself— a fistful of dark feathers

caught between a caller's teeth.

*

At a coffee shop, I introduce myself as Ruth.

The cashier scribbles it down on the cup,

says, What an American name!

about the woman

who had become a foreigner

for a foreigner.

from the book ASTERISM / Tupelo Press

Featured Poet

Born in South Korea and raised in Peru, Ae Hee Lee is the author of ASTERISM (Tupelo Press 2024), selected by John Murillo for the Dorset Prize, and the poetry chapbooks Bedtime || Riverbed, Dear bear, and Connotary, the last of which was selected as the winner for the 2021 Frost Place Chapbook Competition. Her work can be found at The Georgia Review, Poetry Northwest, New England Review, and Southern Review, among others. For more information visit aeheeleekim.com



Health - Wellness

Saluda Living in Place Helps Us Learn about Artificial Intelligence

We are excited to invite you to a thought-provoking event that aims to shed light on the exciting and sometimes challenging world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In our rapidly evolving digital age, AI is reshaping various aspects of our lives, and it's crucial that we all have a clear understanding of its potential and pitfalls.

Event Details:

·       Date: February 21^st

·       Time: 10 a.m.

·       Location: Saluda Senior Center

Guest Speaker: Dan Rickert, the Faculty Coordinator at Blue Ridge Community College

We are privileged to host Mr. Rickert, an expert in the field of Artificial Intelligence, who will share insights on how AI is being developed to benefit individuals and our society. Whether you're already tech-savvy or just beginning to explore this realm, this event is designed to be accessible to everyone.

What to Expect:

·       Learn about the basics of AI and its impact on daily life.

·       Explore the promises of AI technology in healthcare, communication, and more.

·       Understand the challenges and ethical considerations surrounding AI.

·       Discover how AI can empower and enhance the lives of older adults.

Who Should Attend:

This event is open to all members of our community, and we encourage everyone to join us. Whether you're curious about AI, interested in its potential benefits, or concerned about its implications, this forum is an excellent opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and gain valuable insights.

We Look Forward to Seeing You There!

Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore the world of Artificial Intelligence and its potential to positively impact our lives. Come with your questions, concerns, and an open mind as we embark on this enlightening journey together.

SLIP & TOWEL MINISTRY WORKING TOGETHER

Youth from as far away as Maryland will be coming to Saluda again this June. Their goal at Towel Ministry is to help our residents with deferred home maintenance. Please do not hesitate to ask for any assistance from this very willing and able group of high school students. These youngsters will do anything to get to know you and to help.

If you have any needs ranging from yard work, minor exterior home repair, pressure washing, interior painting, and even some minor plumbing, roofing, and we are especially adept at ramp building, please contact Chip Broadfoot at (828) 845-5326, or rector@transfigurationsaluda.org

WE’RE DOING THIS ON PURPOSE

It’s a new year

Are you new here?

Wondering what to do here?

Want to get to know who’s who here?

It’s a new year

Is your life getting blah here?

Want to meet a new peer here?

Remember again what is so dear here?

Want to find out where you can fit in here?

Saluda streets can get pretty quiet during the winter months. So, if you’re not waking up excited by each new day. If you’ve lost your reason to bound out of bed every morning, lost your oomph, feeling lonesome, lost your purpose. Then come join me and a couple of my On Track Saluda friends for a New Year Meet and Greet. Or re-meet and re-greet.

Not sure what On Track Saluda is? Again, we invite you to join us to learn more about this local organization, based on the international Blue Zones Program. Explore the importance of having a purpose in your life. Remember why you moved here and begin to explore or re-discover how you fit in, where you fit in, where you can find your ‘tribe’ to make each day an adventure in Saluda living.

Why this focus on Purpose? Research shows that Purpose in our lives correlates with increased happiness, fewer health issues, less depression, and greater longevity.

So, if you are interested in meeting with your neighbors to discuss On Track Saluda and the role that it can play in finding or renewing your purpose, contact Karen Neff at 404-226-1113/ kfneff366@yahoo.com to register for this event.

This gathering will be held on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 at the Saluda Library, 10a.m-11a.m.



Join Us for a Fabulous Women's Networking Event

March 23rd from 3-5 PM at the Saluda Wellness Center.

This event will showcase the incredible talent and success of women entrepreneurs in our community and provide an opportunity to meet some other badass women business owners!

Please register at www.excuseus.org/specialevents to reserve your spot, as space is limited.

The Saluda Wellness Center is home to four new women-owned businesses that you need to know: Saluda Skincare, Sundara Yoga and Sound, QCHydrate, and Sanctuary Massage. We have some amazing door prizes lined up for the event! You could win free yoga packages, free b12 shots, free facials, free massages, and more! Mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy an evening of empowerment and support for women-owned businesses in Saluda.

By attending this event, you'll not only have a great time networking and enjoying the various demonstrations, but you'll also have the opportunity to meet some amazing local women entrepreneurs and promote your own businesses. Let's celebrate our achievements as women and contribute to our continued success!

Would you like to volunteer to help with this event? Call Ashley Sandahl, Founder of 501(c)(3) non-profit Excuse Us While We Succeed, at (828) 817-6515 or email Ashley.excuseus@gmail.com. We can't wait to see you there for this fabulous evening of networking, live music, demonstrations, spring sangria, appetizers and more! The Saluda Wellness Center is located just above Thompson’s Store and Ward’s.

Introducing RACHEL MANGO, FOUNDER OF EARTH AND SOUL ADVENTURES

For more than a decade, my journey in pursuit of truth, health, and living my purpose has led me down a profound path of discovery, centered on healing autoimmune diseases that conventional medicine deemed incurable. Embracing my free-spirited nature and commitment to holistic wellness, I chose a different path than that of traditional Western medicine (It’s important to note that I respect diverse perspectives on medical choices), and my journey reflects the unique path I felt was best for me. The truth I’ve uncovered is strikingly simple, yet it challenges the programmed beliefs that have shaped our understanding of health and well-being.

  With prior training in the Life coaching industry, a background as a personal trainer with holistic nutrition expertise, and ownership of a fitness studio, I bring a profound comprehension of the human body. My track record demonstrates a history of effectively guiding individuals through transformative life experiences in coaching, fitness, nutrition, and holistic health. I approach my work with empathy and compassion, establishing meaningful emotional connections with individuals and offering steadfast guidance and support throughout their journey.

  I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, surrounded by a bustling household with eight siblings, parents, and a kennel full of dogs and puppies. As a young girl, I learned how to groom and train dogs, winning my first obedience training award at the age of eight. I went on to groom and show standard poodles in high school. Described as a tomboy, I had an affinity for being outdoors and exploring. I was very athletic, participating in many sports such as softball, volleyball, track, and basketball. Keeping up with my brothers, I learned to ride motorcycles and hunt at a young age.

With a deep passion for new experiences, adventure, learning, and entrepreneurship, I started my first business in 2006—a pet resort that is still in operation and now owned by my sister. After the birth of my third child, I fell in love with exercise and nutrition. Diving straight into this field, I became a certified personal trainer and a CrossFit coach, which eventually led to opening a fitness studio. Recognizing that my clients needed more support than just fitness and weight loss, I delved into emotional support, studying to become a certified Life Coach and Holistic Health Coach.

Being a busy mother to three beautiful daughters, running multiple businesses, and experiencing a health crisis prompted my journey back to health and wholeness. With some basic knowledge of holistic health of mind and body, I passionately studied how to heal the body holistically. During this time, I became an NLP Practitioner, studied inner-child work, and my life coaching practice grew, becoming my full-time business. I closed my fitness studio, and my sister took ownership of the Pet Resort.

  On a solo trip to Southeast Asia, I felt called to marry my passion for travel and adventure with a fire for coaching, leading to the formation of Earth and Soul Adventures—an organization that provided transformational travel retreats worldwide. Earth and Soul Adventures successfully supported clients in reprogramming their subconscious minds to create their dream lives. Unfortunately, in 2020, COVID-19 shut down Earth and Soul Adventures overnight. However, the desire to continue with this organization is still alive, albeit in a different form. Now, with immersive experience and training in the holistic health field, I know that true wholeness is a combination of a completely holistic lifestyle.

The shutdown-turned-opportunity marked the beginning of my journey with Nature Provides and Divine Health Alliance. Leveraging my deep knowledge of essential oils, I organically ventured into studying embryonic plant stem cells and the powerful healing effects they provide. I’ve had the unique opportunity to continue my quest for learning and helping others heal through emotional and physical support during my time working at Divine Health Alliance. In May 2023 I re-launched Earth and Soul Adventures adding to my offerings Integrative Bioenergetic Restorative therapy, Life Coaching, Hiking and day adventures, Cacao gatherings, Retreats and Transformational Travel Adventures.

  My life purpose is to support individuals in liberating themselves mentally, emotionally, and physically so they can live life to the fullest. My quest is guiding individuals from stress to stillness with nature as the guide.

  I am trained and/or certified in the following modalities: Certified Personal Trainer, Holistic Health Coach, CrossFit Coach, Life Coach, Inner Child & Shadow Work, Transformational Travel Mentor, NLP Practitioner, Reiki Master, Medicinal Aromatherapy, Breathwork, Plant Stem Cell Therapy, Firefly Practitioner, & Integrative Bioenergetic Restorative Therapy.

  In August of 2023, I relocated to Saluda, a place that captured my heart during the Covid pandemic, where I often sought solace on its trails. Recognizing Saluda as my ideal home and a perfect setting to relaunch Earth and Soul Adventures, I am thrilled to introduce various transformative experiences:

1. Transformative Tuesdays:

  Join me every Tuesday from 11 am to 2 pm for rejuvenating hikes on the diverse trails in and around Saluda.

2. Monthly Cacao Gatherings:

  Experience the warmth of community and heart opening Drink of Cacao at the Saluda Gathering Place during our monthly Cacao Gatherings.

3. Integrative Bioenergetic Restorative Therapy:

  Whether in-person, in your home, or through online sessions, I offer Integrative Bioenergetic Restorative Therapy - Identifying and clearing any, and all interferences, allowing the body to return to a state of wholeness.

4. Life Coaching:

  Embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth with personalized life coaching sessions.

My mission is to mentor and guide entrepreneurial spirited individuals on their journey to living their purpose so they can create the freedom to live life on their terms. I’m here to give you what I wish I had 18 years ago when I started my first business. I take individuals through a powerful process to awaken their purpose and vision, and support them in taking inspired action from a place of alignment.

5. Transformational Travel adventures and Retreats. Check out the upcoming retreats on my website(www.earthandsouladventures.com):

- June 12-16th: Adventure and transformational retreat in West Virginia.

- September 15-22nd:Adventure and transformational retreat in Mexico.

Stay updated on upcoming offerings and events by subscribing to my email newsletter via my website www.earthandsouladventures.com

Contact information:

Email Rachel@myearthandsoul.com

Phone 704-819-3054

Website www.earthandsouladventures.com

I am excited to be here in Saluda and look forward to meeting you!

With Love and Gratitude

Rachel Mango

Personal Freedom Coach

Integrative Bioenergetic Practitioner

For all the Dressing Room customers and friends, this is your chance to say “thank you” to Irmy for 10 years of service. She dressed us, accessorized us and most of all, she was our friend. 

This fashion show will showcase the Dressing Room styles over the last decade and will be a walking art show!

Refreshments will be served and will include mini wraps, charcuterie, pastries, dessert, coffee & flavored water. If you can, please wear an Irmy fashion!

Tickets are $25 and all proceeds go towards a new roof for Mountain Page Theater.

Purchase your tickets at www.mountainpage.theater/upnext

Saluda Community Table (SCT)

“Love is the secret ingredient that always makes food taste better.”

Join SCT for a Love Feast:

TUESDAY, FEBUARY 13 from 5:30 to 7pm at the Saluda Senior Center.

Dori Ray shares her love of Costa Rican cuisine and will be serving Arroz Con Pollo, a flavorful rice, chicken, & vegetable dish with Cabbage Mango Slaw plus a vegetarian option. Come dressed in red and smile for the camera to have your picture taken in the Valentine’s Day photo booth!

It’s time for the Holy Smokes Chili Cookoff

on:

Tuesday, February 27 from 5:30 - 7pm at the Senior Center. Local pastors and some church folks will be in the kitchen cooking a variety of chilies including a vegetarian dish. Save room for some deliciously irresistible desserts and enjoy the sweet sounds of the Old Time Band. Who will cook up Saluda’s best chili and cornbread? The crowd favorite will be determined by your applause!

Chip Broadfoot - The Church of the Transfiguration

Rob Parsons - Saluda United Methodist Church

Come for dinner and meet the other cooks!

Meals are always free, and donations are gladly accepted. Please bring your own plate, utensils, & cup/glass – be a good earth steward!

To receive updates or ask questions, contact Charlotte Lovett (https://clovett5987@gmail.com) and to become a SCT volunteer, contact Gayle Jones (gaylejones016@gmail.com). 



Come See What’s Cooking at the Saluda Senior Center

Winter Market Saturday February 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – canned and fresh food offerings, hand-crafted items and more!

Pot Luck & Bingo Monday February 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. Family fun – bring a side or dessert if you are able.

Community Table Tuesday February 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Bring your own plate & utensils (and take them home again). 

Growing Vegetables in Saluda - Free Workshop offered by Dan Wells, Saturday March 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Garden & Patio Sale at the Thrifty Barn Basement Saturday March 16 from 11 to 3. Vintage Italian concrete planters! 

Thrifty Barn open Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays from 10 to 4, Saturdays from 10 to 1. 

Thrifty Barn Basement open Fridays & Saturdays from 11 to 3.

Volunteers needed! Stop by the Thrifty Barn Wednesdays between 10 and 4. Or call Cindy Keeter (828-551-1039) to volunteer at the Basement. Support your Saluda Senior Center!

To reserve the Center call Louisa Williamson (803-707-8747).

About The Saluda Senior Center…

The Center is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that hosts activities and provides a gathering place to meet the needs of the Saluda community. 

Donations are cheerfully accepted and tax-deductible. 

Although “senior” is in our name, events at the Center are open to all.

“This is your Saluda community center!”

64 Greenville Street

Saluda, NC 28773



OH, WHAT A NIGHT!

The Lasagna Dinner on February 3 was a huge success. We all had a great time, and we learned a lot about the work of Sister City. The lasagna was amazing. Chefs Yvonne Bruce, Becky Broadfoot, Donna Devenport, Ruby Drew, Bridgette Haley, Cindy Hemenway, Richard Henrich, Allison Hull, Kit Matthews, Luanne Matson, Kay McCord, Nancy Miller, Jaine Nelson & Bill Nelson, Helene Pasternak, Sarah Radulescu, Ellen Rogers, Ravenel Smith and Clif Web made delicious lasagna. Over 100 ticket holders ate their fill and voted for their favorite. The professional judges awarded their prize to Clif Webb and Ravenel Smith, while the diners voted Cindy Hemenway the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.” The Mountain Page Players entertained, and I can still hear the strains of “Funiculi, Funicula” in my head! And highest kudos to Susan Cannon, the Lasagna Chair, and Ashley Sandahl, computer guru who fashioned all our posters, badges, signage, and more. The other big hit of the night was the fabulous focaccia made by Debi Thomas at the Wildflour Bakery. The Bakery, along with Mewdlics, The Pasta Lady in Hendersonville, Orchard Inn, Purple Onion, Saluda Moon Glass Studio, Looking Glass Realty, and two fabulous Italian restaurants in Asheville, Strada and Gemeli, lent their support to help make the event a success.

UPDATE ON BENEDETTA

Our first summer exchange student, Benedetta Formisano, has just finished her undergraduate degree in the summer of 2023 and is now in a double degree graduate school studying marketing at the university in Milan. Next year, she will continue her studies at Florida International University in Miami and she will receive a degree from each University. One of her goals is to be able to work in the United States for at least part of her career. Clearly, her summer in Saluda has had a life-changing impact on her.

WE NEED YOU!

THE ITALIAN STUDENTS ARE COMING

Nora and Marta will be here July 7 to 29. We need three families to take them in for about 6 nights each. It would be great to have families who have homes withing walking distance and who have young people about the same age, but these are not essential. These girls are rising seniors in high school. Ellen Rogers is coordinating housing and may be reached at ewrogers1970@gmail.com.

Nora and her dad, Massimo

We also need families to volunteer to entertain them and expose them to family life, typical foods, towns of the Blue Ridge, nature, athletic events, concerts, etc. Pam Gray is coordinating activities and has a list of ideas of things to do with the girls. You can request the list from her at pmgray7@rsnet.org.

ITALIAN NIGHT AT THE ORCHARD INN

Mark your calendar for March 14 to attend a fabulous, four-course Italian dinner at the Orchard Inn. Foods of four different areas of Italy will be featured, accompanied by a performance of Italian songs from the talented Mountain Page Players. You’ll enjoy an included glass of Italian wine and a limoncello after dinner. Seats are limited. Tickets are $120 with a portion going to Sister City to support our work with the children. Reservations at 828-827-5370.

Art and Writing Competition Open to Students 13 to 18.

Sister Cities International’s Young Artists and Authors Showcase is in full swing with entries due to Saluda Sister City by April 1 and to Sister Cities International by May 1. Students from all over the world will participate. The theme for 2024 is Climatescape – Resilient Cities for Tomorrow’s Climate. Full information is on saludasistercity.org under “International” or, for more information, contact Ellen rogers at ewrogers1970@gmail.com.

CHECK OUT CIAO ASHEVILLE

Ciao Asheville is an Italian Cultural Institute, which offers presentations and classes, including language, cooking, wine, genealogy, and the arts. They have a great Facebook page filled with all kinds of interesting things Italian. Recently, Ciao posted a review of the movie “Ferrari,” and an article of what Pope Frances thinks of wine. Check it out!

It Smelled Like Turpentine, It Looked like Indian Ink” 

Saint Valentine’s Day, the History of Love Potions, and Medicine for the Heart

By Jeanne Ferran

Part 2

MESOAMERICA: COLONIZATION OVER CACAO 

 “Each of us is born with a box of matches inside us but we can't strike them all by ourselves.”

― Laura Esquivel, Like Water for Chocolate

  The Olmecs, a Mesoamerican culture found in modern-day Mexico, are the first recorded people who cultivated the cacao bean, residue has been found in earthenware pots dating as far back as 1750 BC. The first use of cacao was as a fermented drink used for ceremonial purposes. The Mayans started to mix it with corneal and chiles, and the drink went from a ceremonial beverage to an integral part of the diet and currency. They passed the love of the cacao bean to the Aztecs, who had difficulty cultivating it, but who required it as tax for the lands they conquered. The Aztecs, like the Olmecs and Mayans, associated the beverage with a god,Quetzalcoatl, responsible for the creation of mankind, who gave the drink to man against the will of the gods. “Xocolatl”was considered a powerful aphrodisiac. Montezuma, the Aztec emperor, reputedly drank 50 cups a day.

  When the Spanish colonists arrived, they frowned upon its use as a ritualistic beverage used in “pagan ceremonies,” but they embraced its stimulating effect. They added cinnamon, milk, and sugar to the dark, bitter brew. When they returned to Spain, chocolate’s popularity spread across European courts and with it, the rise of plantations using indigenous labor, the slave trade, and the destruction of indigenous cultures. 

  Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, has been found to harbor aphrodisiac qualities. Because of its caffeine and high antioxidant content, dark chocolate increases blood flow. In addition, eating dark chocolate on the tongue stimulates the release of dopamine, which triggers feelings of satisfaction, motivation, and pleasure, same as when kissing a loved one.

  Another “love plant” found throughout South and Central America as well as the Caribbean is damiana (Turnera diffusa and Turnera aphrodisiaca). Damiana, as the name implies, is an aphrodisiac that was used by the Aztecs and Mayans. Damiana contains alkaloids with a testosterone-like action that strengthens male and female reproductive systems. Damiana was also traditionally used as a sort of antidepressant. When consumed it relaxes the body and uplifts the entire nervous system, yet it is gentle enough for children. As one friend put it, “damiana soothes while stimulates.” The origin of the plant’s name means “the one who tames.” Lately, wild damiana has been overharvested, but it can be sustainably sourced and made into a relaxing tea. 

DAMIANA DELIGHT: Warning: Giddy shenanigans may ensue.

This is the damiana recipe I give out to family and friends at Christmas.It takes a full moon cycle to prepare. One rule: this drink is meant for connection, so you have to share it!

Fill a large mason jar with 2 cups of damiana and a tablespoon each of ginger, cinnamon (or fresh stick), cloves, cardamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Cover with Amaretto and Frangelico and macerate for 1 month. Strain the herbs, pouring the liquid in a clean bottle. Serve alone, with honey or rose water, but it is most delicious when served over ice or infused in coffee or hot chocolate. 

CHEROKEE: MEDICINE OF THE HEART

“Well, it’s a marvelous night for a moondance/ with the stars up above in your eyes…” -Van Morrison

  According to T.J Garrett’s “Cherokee Herbal,” Cherokee divide their medicine into four cardinal directions, and what we would call love potions reside in the East. The East represents the gift of birth, the balance of male and female energies, and the act of creating and protecting life. Medicine of the East is the same as Medicine of the Heart, as they recognized that the heart was a special organ that

not only supplied life to the body, but it also connected life to Earth and the community.

  One of my favorite Cherokee “love plants” is Adam and Eve root, (pic on left and below) or putty root (Aplectrum hyemale), a member of the orchid family, which is found all over the woods of Western North Carolina. It currently looks like a shriveled green plantain leaf, ribbed and papery, but the magic is in the root. The ceremony with this plant is still used in Cherokee wedding ceremonies today in order to determine if a couple would stay together. If the separated root, placed in the right hand of a beloved elder, comes together in his hand, the couple would stay together. If not, the couple would get counseling from the elders, then probably part ways. But If the plant comes together, the “bowl” would be given to the female and the thinner piece would be given to the male. These pieces would be prayed over as a reminder to the couple that it takes both types of energies to build a successful relationship.

  The Cherokee have also passed down a few love “potions,” including the use of the spiny fruit of the balsam apple, or wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata), and Passionflower, or Maypop (Passiflora incarnata), the beautiful purple flowers that bloom in the summer on wild, sun-drench vines. I should warn you: I imagine the traditional use of this tea was to ease an aching heart, not incite passion.

Passionflower tea is so relaxing that you run the risk of falling fast asleep.

  Another plant that is famous in Cherokee folklore is Hearts a Bustin’, or strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus). This understory plant has brilliant red flowers that drop orange seeds in the fall. Legend has it that somewhere near the Oconaluftee River, a young hunter, Youngdeer, who learned how to ask permission and give thanks in the hunt, saw a beautiful maiden walking through the woods at night. That maiden was transformed into the moon. Hearts a Bustin’ still hides a beautiful youth, waiting to see his love, who smiles upon him from the night sky. 

CHEROKEE PLANTS TO EASE A RESTLESS HEART: Create a tea using dried hawthorn berries, chamomile flowers or passionflower, linden (or basswood), violet leaves and flowers, and/or licorice root. Sweeten with honey.

THE HEART: THE ORGAN “I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark/We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks…” -Bonnie Tyler, “Total Eclipse of the Heart”

  In a typical day, the heart pumps over 2,000 gallons of blood through 6,000 miles of blood vessels in the body. It beats 100,000 times. It is the essential organ for all functions in the body. Because of this, it is no coincidence that many of the plants used in history’s love potions have benefits for the heart, such as antioxidant- rich wine and the members of the rose family. Roses, particularly rose hips, which are easily accessible thanks to the invasive multiflora rose, are rich in vitamin C, strengthen capillaries, and reduce stress. Another accessible member of the rose family is hawthorn. Hawthorn berries improve the muscle tone of the heart, increase circulation and oxygen intake, dilate blood vessels to reduce strain, and reduce high blood pressure. Both roses and hawthorn berries are easy to harvest, and birds love them.

  Unfortunately, a lot of Valentine’s Day menu items are heavy, meat and dairy-based options that hinder circulation and cause after- dinner sluggishness. According to modern science (and ancient practices including Ayurveda), it is best to make plant-based choices that open the circulatory system: Heart-healthy options are dishes that include beets, cherries, pomegranate, tomatoes, cayenne, onion, garlic, and ginger. These options “warm” and move the blood. 

RECIPE: Opening Heart Syrup:

Combine 2 cups hawthorn berries, 1 cup currant berries or cherries, ¼ cup nutmeg, ¼ cup cinnamon, vanilla bean, and 4 cups water in a pan over medium heat Bring to a boil, reducing the liquid by half.. Strain the herbs, then put the liquid back in the pan. Add 1 ½ cup honey (more or less, depending on how thick you like ), stirring continuously. Turn off the heat, then add ¼ cup apple cider vinegar. Take it on its own daily, or add it to food or your favorite beverage. Store in the refrigerator for 6 months- 1 year (adapted from Master Recipes of the Herbal Apothecary)

THE HEART: THE SPIRIT

Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore; Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!” -Edgar Allan Poe, “The Raven”   

  We all know what it is to have a “heavy heart,” and very few of us have never experienced a “broken heart.” But fortunately, our plant allies can help us alleviate the brain-body connection of what ails us.The remedy Poe refers to in his famous poem is now illegal: nepenthe was an opiate or wormwood derivative originating in ancient Egypt. Its name means “to chase away sorrow,” and it was first introduced to Western culture by none other than Helen of Troy. 

  Fortunately, we have some herbal remedies that can help with heartsickness. Here are some of my favorite local heartache suppressors:

1.   For Seasonal Depression: Mimosa, those beautiful, silky pink flowers that grow all over our area, calms the spirit, invigorates the blood,and most importantly, as we are in the doldrums of winter, treats seasonal depression. Mimosa also helps alleviate insomnia and irritability. It helps calm a poor memory, relieves stress, and reduces symptoms of heartache and depression. Use the tincture for an immediate mood boost.

2.   For Anxiety: Lemon Balm tea: Helps lift the spirit while relaxing the body. Add oatstraw, chamomile, passionflower, or skullcap for extra relaxation.

3.   For Protection: Saint John's Wort tea or tincture: I am going to write a lot more about this amazing little plant at a later date, but Saint John’s Wort acts on nerve pain, wounds, and poor circulation. It was also used for fertility and seasonal depression. Early Christians hung it in doorways to ward off evil specters. 

MODERN DAY:

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”- Khalil Gibran, The Prophet 

  Saint Valentine would probably be a little confused if he stood, in the modern day, examining boxes of chocolate hearts and novelty socks here in the Dollar General. But “borrowing” gods, traditions, and recipes from other cultures was as commonplace in the ancient world as it is today. As Romans assimilated Greek gods, Eros, son of Chaos, shrunk into the baby Cupid, sired by a more “demure yet still out of wedlock- Mercury, god of war. Cards with his cherubic likeness appeared as early as the 19th century with the dawn of commercially printed greeting cards. Even the day we celebrate- February 14- is not special to Saint Valentine of Rome, but it does commemorate pagan fertility festivals associated with mating birds (hence the term “Lovebirds”).

  As we can see, our traditions and customs have changed over time. Sometimes it seems like our culture has traded wine for White Claw, and we “swipe” as a way to manipulate Eros’s arrow, but, love it or hate it, the celebration of Saint Valentine is here to stay. What that looks like, however, is guaranteed to change. Just remember to toast a glass of your favorite red- whether its wine or pomegranate juice- with those that you love, draw a nice bath, and be thankful that no one is collecting your fingernail clippings for a sweat cake. 

Do you have a question or a topic you would like to see discussed? Do you have an aphrodisiac or recipe you would like to share? If so, please drop a line to jmferran@gmail.com and it might appear in next month’s issue.



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Kaya embracing the world!

LO, all I need is a stick!