“…they make their way to my front porch

and flutter near the glassed-in bulb,

translucent as a thought suddenly

wondered aloud, illumining the air

that’s thick with honeysuckle and dusk.”  

~ Jennifer O’Grady,

excerpt from “Moths”

“Coon Dog Day” banners festoon Saluda’s historic Main Street—cars, trucks and bikes roll slowly through town and every now and then you see an old Model T parked along the street, somehow looking right at home.

Clapboard summer houses fill up with family and friends for this legendary homecoming day. The Baptist church offers fried chicken plates and pitchers of sweet tea, or you can go get a good ole grilled hotdog around the corner.

Speaking of dogs, River dog (who only hunts for treats), regally awaits his mealtime and A/C around here…that boy would walk right by any coon that passed under his nose. He’d gladly take one of those chicken lunches though! Saturday, the top dogs will be in town: baying, tail-waggin’, black and tan, lanky coon-hunting Coon Dogs.

It’s said that every dog has its day, and in this small town, for over 50 some years, they sure do.

Saluda’s 53rd Annual Coon Dog Day Festival is July 9, and starts with the Coon Dog Day 5K Race/Fun Walk at 8 a.m., beginning and ending downtown. The parade starts at 11.

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

Scoot Pittman kicks off Coon Dog weekend on July 8 with music at the next Top of the Grade concert at Ella Grace Mintz Stage at McCreery Park, 7-9 p.m.

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

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) benefits from your donations or time as a volunteer for their many community projects. “Walks in the Woods” are on the first and third Sundays each month; free swimming lessons are being held at Twin Lakes this summer. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org.

Saluda Train Tales are held at Saluda Historic Depot (HistoricSaluda.org) on the third Friday each month April through October. The next one is “How the West Was Won” with Ray Rapp, July 15 at 7 p.m. The Depot is open Thursday through Sunday, noon-4 p.m.

Saluda Center will feature Saluda Crafters for the July art show, with a reception on July 14, 5:30-7 p.m.

Saluda School may be out for summer vacation, but you can still collect box tops! Collection containers are located in Saluda Library, Saluda Post Office, and at the school office.

There’ll be a free breakfast for all veterans at Ward’s Grill on July 21, 8-10 a.m.

Social Singles potluck (singles over 40) begins again in August on the second Thursday of every month at Saluda Center. The next one is August 11 at 6 p.m.

Happy July birthday to Doris Marion, Debi Thomas, Rheta Foster, Nancy Weinhagen, Lisa Obermiller, Kathy Thompson, Bill Jameson, Emily Rose Ford, Jeremy Ford, Mike Cass, Emma Jean McGraw, Nathen Pack, Melissa Justus, Hunter Justus, Alyssa Justus, Tona Justus and Lynn Savage.

Garden tips: Clean hummingbird feeders frequently and keep fresh nectar in place. It’s easy to make your own: Use 1 part sugar to 4 parts water; dissolve sugar in boiling water; cool. I don’t use any red coloring in mine, which is better for the feisty little fellows who expect their feeders to be kept full! Leave patches of clover intact for the bees rather than mowing.

 Thank you, dear readers for reading this column! It’s always my goal to make you feel like you’re having a front porch visit, enjoying a summer-sweet pace of life in a small town called Saluda. If you have something of note or a birthday to add to the list, feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardosart.com or find me on Facebook.