Spring has returned.&bsp; The Earth is like a child that knows poems.&bsp; Rainer Maria Rilke

Last Sunday, I heard the whir of hummingbird wings; an early arrival wondering where the hummingbird feeder was. I had to run inside, dig out the feeder from storage, and fix a batch of nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) for the little guy. That made him happy, and I get the pleasure of watching him up close. The bluebirds in the backyard have babies this week. Of course, out enjoying the sunshine was my resident garden snake, a striped fellow who raised his head and cautiously eyed me when I was near his mulch pile with a shovel in hand. I had to reassure him that as long as he left my birds alone, he was safe, and he could hunt all the moles and mice he wants.

The resident bats have been out in the evenings: its relaxing to the spirit to watch their graceful swoops in the dusk. The bull frog has declared the water garden his, the paper wasps have been busy with their nest: they like my porch eaves and we live in mutual respect of each other. Theyve never attacked me yetand I had to protect them from the neighbors threat to come over and vanquish them in the night time.

Remember your teachers this week! Well, remember them all year long, they deserve it.

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Quick Notes: The historic Saluda community discussion will be May 7, 4 p.m. at the Saluda Library. The Senior Center will have a community potluck on May 27 at 6 p.m. On May 14, the Upstairs Artspace at 49 S. Trade in Tryon is having another literary coffee house Friday evening at 7. Come on Saluda writers and performers, and bring your creative work to share…its informal and fun! Youll have 10 minutes to read, sing, play or perform.

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The Board of Trustees of Saluda Medical Center announces that the Center is fully staffed and accepting new patients. To celebrate the occasion, on April 16th, the Center hosted a Meet N Greet for the medical providers, Dr. Jeff Viar, Linda Barton, FNP, and Julie Holley, FNP.&bsp; Plans are already underway for the Third Annual Masquerade Ball Fundraiser at Saluda Mountain Jamboree on October 29th.

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The Saluda Community Land Trust had its 3rd annual meeting at the Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, April 29. Keynote speaker was kudzu expert Newt Hardie from Spartanburg. I learned some interesting facts about kudzu, and was glad to hear of environment-friendly ways to help curtail the beast. Those board members&bsp; up for re-election were approved by the membership vote, and three spaces are still up for grabs: if youre interested in joining or volunteering, call 749-1560. What an appreciative, hard-working group! If you havent yet joined, membership is only $25 per year and goes directly to support SCLT; this is grassroot effort at its&bsp; best.

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The delightful Saluda tailgate market starts May 7 on Fridays at the city parking lot off Main Street&bsp; (follow the signs) from 4:30 to 6:30. Local produce, flowers, homemade soup, breads, and all manner of goodies. Friendly folks all around; stop by…its a great time to visitthats part of the fun!

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On May 15, 2010 from 10-5, the 7th Annual Saluda Art Festival happens.&bsp; This year features jury-selected artists from the Western North Carolina area;&bsp; a&bsp; Saluda Artists Gallery will be featured at Saluda Senior Center on Greenville Street near McCreery Park. Polk County High art students will show art work, musicians will&bsp; perform during the day.&bsp; The festival will have live demonstrations of art crafts: glass blower Amelia Brenner, painter Jeff Pitman, sculptor Harris Fortier, woodturners Dave Prudhomme and Stoney Lamar, potter David Parris, weaver Betsy Burdett,&bsp; blacksmith George Matthews will be featured. A childrens art tent is available to keep the younger set entertained.&bsp;The King Pup Radio Show will air live. Highlight performances include&bsp; Deep Gap, Drovers Old Time Medicine Show, Charles Wood and Generation Gap bands.&bsp; For further information, visit saluda.com.

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Along with many unique shops, we have excellent restaurants up in Saluda too: I know, because Ive tried them ALL out. (Youd better believe it!) Saludas music offerings are right up there tootop-notch performers coming in…what a varietysomething for anyone. Watch the entertainment section of the Bulletin, too for specific performances. If you havent been in Saluda, I invite you to come visit a while and enjoy our small town: shop local, eat local, and get local smiles. Were glad to see you.

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Big hugs to Bill Ryan; in the hope he is feeling better and enjoying the garden and studio. Back in the 1990s, I remember another hard winter and ice storm that left many people without power for days. I lost every&bsp; house plant I had and was so distressed.&bsp; Bill and his partner Jim invited me over to their house and loaded me up with plants to replace those lostI had a truckload upon leaving! Those two are always doing kindnesses for others.

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One chilly blackberry winter morning, I spotted Dick Wright and his cohorts down at the Saluda Library parking lot: golf bags in hand, getting ready to head off for a day out on the course. Im not sure who had the biggest golf story after their day out!

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Happy May Birthday to Corinne Gerwe, Jemme Latell, Paul Marion, Ron Cole, Joe Brown, Trevor Young, and Jesse Thomas. Please add your birthdays to the list! No age mentioned, I promise.

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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.&bsp; Happy Spring!