By Bonnie J. Bardos

“Wherever you are — if you are following your bliss,

you are enjoying that refreshment, that life within you, all the time.”

 

~ Joseph Campbell

 

Last Saturday evening after rainstorms rinsed sky and earth, I walked to town for the art reception at our Saluda Depot. Poor River dog was demoted to staying behind, although he lined up at the front door, ready to go along  (he knew there were refreshments waiting). With foreboding, bruised, gray clouds hovering on the edges of the horizon, gilded light peeked through on the stroll down the hill.

Ribbons of ubiquitous orange daylilies danced along the sidewalk path, diamond droplets shimmering. Luckily June rains waited to continue their concert until after a circuitous route back home along moss-shaded lanes all the way back to the front door, where a certain guard dog waited with a soft round snout pressed against the glass, tail wagging. That’s the thing about dogs: they’re always, always glad to see you coming. Even if you forgot to snitch a piece of cheese on their behalf.

​Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday, with dinner served from 5:30-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All welcome; donations accepted.

Saluda Tailgate Market is open on Fridays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street. Offerings include local honey, produce, delicious baked goodies, plants, and more.

Saluda Community Land Trust’s “Walks in the Woods” continue through November on the first and third Sundays of the month. Meet at Saluda Library at 2 p.m. to carpool. Contact Chuck Hearon at 828-749-9886 or 828-817-0364 for information or contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit saludasclt.org

 

If you’d like to help preserve the historic Saluda Depot located at 32 Main Street, you can send donations or pledges (tax deductible!) to Saluda Historic Depot, PO Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773 or email savesaludadepot@gmail.com. Saluda artists Bill and Anne Jameson are featured through July 31 at the depot. The Jamesons are donating 50 percent of sales proceeds to benefit the depot. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the home tour and art reception last week.

The Historic Saluda Committee and Oral History Committee meet June 12, 2-4 p.m. at  Saluda Library.

On June 19, 5-7:30 p.m. at the Saluda Historic Depot, there’ll be a book launch for Saluda, published by Arcadia Publishing as part of their Images of America series. This project was spearheaded by the Historic Saluda Committee with Cindy Stephenson Tuttle and Mary Ann Hester. Featuring many Saluda images that have never been published before, it’s a visual feast for history fans. The Saluda Grade String Band will play, refreshments served, and the book will be available for purchase. Come meet the authors and have a good time!

Enjoy a Top of the Grade concert with Sound Investment on Ella Grace Mintz Stage at Top of the Grade at McCreery Park, June 12, from 7-9 p.m., and 

Shagging in Saluda at the Back Alley Barn behind historic Thompson’s Store/Ward’s Grill on June 13, from 6-10 p.m. Along with dancing and music, make a donation to the Save the Depot fund!

 

It’s not too late to purchase a paver for Pace Park located in the alley beside M.A. Pace Store. Drop off applications/payment at City Hall or mail to City of Saluda, 6 Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773. Proceeds go toward building public restrooms. For information, contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.

Happy ninth anniversary to Saluda Lifestyles! Thank you, Cathy Jackson, for your hard work! Visit saludalifestyles.com for an excellent presentation of all that goes on in Saluda.

Happy June Birthday to Nancy Barnett, Verne Dawson, Peggy Ellwood, Anna Jackson, Charlie Jackson, Amy Violet Ford, Terry Arrington, Julie Arrington, Susie Welsh, Jeremy Edwards, John Savage, and Eleanor Morgan.

 

Saluda hugs and get-well wishes go to Verlie Murphy and Cissy Thompson.

 

Thank you dear readers, for reading this column. It’s always a pleasure hearing from you, getting your hugs, calls, emails, notes and smiles. It’s my goal to make you feel like you’re having a front porch visit, enjoying a cool glass of tea, birds, flowers and life in a small town called Saluda. You can email me at bbardos@gmail.com, call 749-1153, visit  bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.