“My stars in the sky made a soft rustling sound. And I listened to them, seated on the side of the road. In those good September evenings when I felt drops of dew on my brow, like a strong wine…”
– Arthur Rimbaud

Mid-September brings splotches of color, promising fall ahead.
Flares of goldenrod spikes, apple harvest and busy squirrels hoarding acorns mark mellowing days.
Downtown Saluda, soft breezes rustle through maple trees, sending a leaf or two dancing along sidewalks, town benches encourage passerby to sit, enjoy life awhile, and watch people stroll by. Mouth-watering scents waft from restaurants.
Life slows down, sweet as Saluda honey: all a reminder to stop and enjoy the ‘little’ things of life.
One golden Saturday, I sat down on a bench with Charlotte friends, thinking how much I love Saluda: the people who continue to make it a magical place – getting hugs and smiles, petting puppies. My friends were wishing they could move here by the time they saw the charm of small town life!
Community: Thank you to all who made Saluda’s annual Charlie Ward Memorial Pig Out happen. Charlie would have been delighted to see the warmth and love shared with good people, music, and food.
Saluda Community Land Trust meets 3 p.m. first and third Wednesday at the Pavilion at McCreery Park. Hikes are scheduled on the first and third Sunday of each month, weather permitting. Meet at the library parking lot at 2 p.m. For information, call Nancy Barnett at 749-4661 or Chuck Hearon at 749-9886.
The Saluda Tailgate Market continues on Fridays from 4:30-6:30. You can pick up just about everything you need for a lovely Indian summer meal, plus enjoy fresh-squeezed lemonade from Wylie’s stand as you enjoy the market. No one leaves without a smile!
On Sept. 27, bring a picnic for Music in the Park evening, which is part of Saluda’s 130th birthday celebration. This will be at McCreery Park from 6-8 p.m.
A community cookout is planned at the Saluda Center on Sept. 29, 6 p.m.
Ceri Dando, a former neighbor who owned the stately Oaks B&B up Greenville Street, has lived in Mexico a number of years. Recently he came by with Jacque Minick and enjoyed a visit on my front porch to catch up on Saluda news.
During the visit, they remarked about the porch plants looking so happy: I explained it’s because my plants get morning coffee too!
Saluda artist Dale McEntire has insightful landscape paintings featured at Upstairs Artspace, 49 South Trade Street, Tryon through Oct. 1. Dale’s Isothermal art students are showing work with a sunflower theme at Saluda Center this month, so stop by both exhibits.
Dale has been a true friend and inspiration to myself and many others; he’s a special part of Saluda. Recently his hand was injured, so please send positive thoughts his way. Dale is healing well, but needs to take it easy a while.
Happy September Birthday to Dale McEntire, Joni Rauschenbach, Peggy Moffat, Sonya Monts, Linda Kaye Haynes, Carol Kenfield, Debbie Fisher, Leslie Jespersen, Linda Mintz, Betty Thompson, Sheila Billeter, Cary Pace, Ross Arrington, Hop Foster.
Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. Every month, it’s my goal to make you feel welcome here in Saluda: as if you were enjoying a visit with me on the porch swing – that’s called ‘Saluda Time’!
Please feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com; or 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on facebook.