“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?”

– Betsy Cañas Garmon

May mornings are green-laced amid sunshine’s warm touch; roses bloom profusely in Saluda gardens with butterflies flitting by.

Fresh, hot, morning coffee enjoyed on the front porch swing is the best way to start a new day. There are a million things to do, yet that time spent watching nature and thinking quietly is precious to the spirit.

Saluda Community Land Trust meets at 3 p.m. first and third Wednesdays at the Pavilion at McCreery Park.

The Saluda Tailgate Market starts Friday, May 6 from 4:30-6:30. Fresh veggies, home-baked goods and happy smiles abound. Interested vendors can contact Shelley DeKay at 828-749-9615 or 828-749-9365. Buy local!

On May 8, 2 p.m. Autumn Care of Saluda will have a celebration reception for mothers; the annual Blessing of the Hands for caregivers is May 17 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the family room.

May 10 from 6-8 p.m.: come enjoy a fun-filled “Jamming in the Park” on the 130th day of 2011. Join the celebration with a picnic in McCreery Park; several local restaurants are offering delicious picnic goodies you can pick up and take – my mouth is watering now! This is one of many events throughout the year to celebrate Saluda’s 130th anniversary.

Single Women United will have a potluck meeting on Thursday, May 12 at 6 p.m. at Saluda Center. The Rev. Paula C. Morton from the Transfiguration Church will speak.

Calling all creative types: if you’d like to share your poetry, short stories, plays, music, etc. please come to the Upstairs Artspace’s literary evening on May 13; 7 p.m. It’s free and open to all—informal and always enjoyable. Sign up at door, and you get up to 10 minutes to share!

The Dancer’s Extension will have a spring concert on May 21 at 11 a.m. in the Saluda School Auditorium. Free!

Keep in mind the eighth annual Saluda Arts Festival is May 21 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. There will be 45 juried artists showing all kinds of art and craft – what a fun art day in town! I’ll be helping sell festival T-shirts a while in the morning, and then plan on a pleasant afternoon strolling among the art and shops. Live music will be featured during the day, and our friendly restaurants and shops will welcome you!

The Historic Smith Hill tour of six homes is Saturday, June 4, from 1 – 5 p.m., as part of Saluda’s 130th Anniversary Celebration sponsored by the Saluda Historic Committee. Tickets available at city hall and Heartwood Gallery.

Happy May birthdays to: Corinne Gerwe, Mark Jackson, Cary Pace, Lisa Hipp, Trevor Young, Jemme Latell, Paul Marion, Joe Brown and Jesse Thomas. Add your birthday to the list!

Please remember Terry Kent in your thoughts, along with Charlotte, Barbara, Jo and others who need a little extra love. One thing about the gift of a small town is that folks truly care about one another.

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column!

Just like when Walter Cronkite closed his evening news cast every night with “And that’s the way it is,” I like to close off by saying thank you each and every time!

I so appreciate you readers out there in Bulletin land: and love it when you come up to me and say you read the column.

Joan Beddingfield dropped by my front porch last Sunday while I was outside boxing up yard sale leftovers; she brightened my afternoon by saying she reads each word!

Keep in mind if you have something of note, feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com; or 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com.