If youve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom. ~Terri Guillemets

Another Saluda column, and right now it looks like spring really has descended upon all in the Tryon Bulletin radius! My heart lifts with gratitude and joy when I spot those beautiful flowering trees, happy daffodils amid lush green grass, and hear bird songs all around.

While we probably havent yet seen the last cold snap yet, its a good feeling that finally winter is over. Up here in Saluda, we are still cleaning up from the February ice storm, but there is hope ahead, and the Farmers Alamanac agrees.

I know our shopkeepers and residents are all glad that better days are ahead. One thing about Saluda folks, is that they are a hardy bunch!

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The 7th annual Saluda Arts Festival festival will be Saturday, May 15, so get those calendars marked: its always a pleasant stroll through friendly artists booths, while enjoying the magical Saluda sunshine and breeze on a laid-back day. Stoney Lamar tells me that Saluda artists will again be represented at the Senior Center on Greenville Street.

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Mark those calendars too, for the Saluda tailgate market starting May 7 on Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30. Local produce, flowers, and all sorts of good stuff can be found. Homemade soup, breads, sweets for the sweet….and plenty of smiles. You cant beat that.

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All you gardeners, remember if youre interested in getting some spring planting underway, check out the Robinson Community Garden (sponsored by Saluda Community Land Trust–SCLT) at the corner of Henderson/Poplar Streets. City water is available, plots are 10 x 20, and cost is minimal for rent. You may reserve a plot by contacting Carolyn Ashburn at carolyn@skyrunner.net or Marilyn Prudhomme at 749-9172. Better hurry!

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Many of you gentle readers out there know I work three days a week at the Upstairs Artspace in Tryon: the current show has been an amazing folk art exhibit with 300 artworks on display, curated by Ted Oliver from Olivers Folk Art.

It made my day that Saluda reading winners from our very own Saluda School came down to the gallery as a reward.

Each child picked a book of their choice from Betsy Gorees delightful Book Shelf shop on Pacolet Street across from the Tryon Post Office, then marched over to the Upstairs to see the folk art exhibit; Jeff Jenkins, who works at Saluda School, arranged the field trip and gave the kids an excellent tour of the show:

Jeff is on our board of directors at the Upstairs, and does all sorts of things from changing light bulbs to fixing pesky door locks around the gallery.

I love it when school kids come in to see art! Come on by and see the exhibit if you havent already; it runs through April 10.

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Happy belated March birthday greetings to Charlotte Brady, Genell Jesperson, Cindy Ledbetter, Seldon Mintz, Charlene Pace, Lloyd Thompson, Charles Weinhagen, Katalina Russell and Ron Poole. April greetings go to myself (which will be another 39 of course!), Cindy Keeter, Betty Anna Brown, Marion Fairey, Hope Pace, Hilda Pace, and Ruth Anderson. Please let me know if you have names to add. The birthday list, like me, has gotten behind and needs sprucing up, so feel free to help out!

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Condolences to the families of James Lewis Constance and Linda Holstein.

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On April 22nd at 2 p.m. Autumn Care of Saluda will honor volunteers with a Volunteer Recognition Tea. The public is invited. Autumn Care is at 501 Esseola Drive (749-2261).

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If you have something of note for this column, feel free to e-mail me at bbardos@gmail.com; or call me at 749-1153. Watch for my Southern Journal to share with you; and thank you for your many positive comments regarding this columnmuch appreciated!