“It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know which way to go
we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings.”
~The Real Work by Wendell Berry
There are many stories to be heard on a shaded front porch on summer afternoons here in Saluda: Bill Russell,

a Saluda native, stopped by to share a few when he brought over information about the Saluda School Reunion. Russell loves to tell stories, especially about the old days in Saluda: he’s a Saluda Treasure, filled with many fascinating yarns and recollections.
During the time he visited, I found out some interesting things: ‘pebbledash’ was concocted of cinders and concrete, then thrown at exterior walls as a finish. Back in the 1800s and turn-of-the-century, cinders from trains would be piled up by the railroad tracks. We have the historic Pebbledash Building downtown, right behind Spring Park and City Hall. Currently it’s owned by Dottie and Roy Eargle, who renovated it with love and care in the ‘right’ way. Richard Baker has an art studio/gallery on the first floor.
Bill remembers the Great Depression, and how folks in the country who grew their own food were often better off than town folks. He went barefoot all summer: new shoes were hard to come by. Going to Pace’s Store on Main Street was a treat, and he wanted jeans, real jeans: no more bib overalls. Mules and wagons plodded and pulled along  hills and streets. Oh, those were the days! He hopes to get more of his stories written down: story-telling is something Bill greatly enjoys.
Speaking of the Saluda School Reunion, it’ll be August 17, 6 p.m. at the Party Place & Event Center (formerly Saluda Mountain Jamboree). This is open to anyone who ever attended Saluda School, former teachers, spouses, guests, anyone who’d like to attend. There’s a charge for the event, which includes a catered barbecued pork dinner. Bill Russell, Cindy Keeter, Tona Lawter, and Peggy Johnson are on the reunion committee. A Saluda School Alumni Scholarship Fund is set up at Blue Ridge Community College: you can help a deserving student and honor memories of Saluda School too.
Please remember Horace Pace—his son Gary says Horace is going to be just fine (maybe just needs to slow down in the heat!). Hopefully, Horace will be back to fixing lawn mowers in no time. Also, remember Charles Dellinger who has been under the weather this past week.
Thank you to Cub and Joe Hipp who hauled over a small load of gravel for my back drive: they had that gravel spread out like butter on bread…perfect! (I’d pictured having to get out there and shoveling for hours). Isn’t it wonderful when you can support a local business, know the people doing it, AND they thank you for your business, even a small job.
Join Chuck Hearon for a Saluda Community Land Trust hike on August 19 at 2 p.m. Meet at Saluda Library parking lot. For information, 828-749-1560 or www.saludaclt.org
Saluda Tailgate Market continues at West Main Street public parking lot on Fridays, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fresh local offerings: rain or shine.
Happy August Birthday to  B.J. Kent, Linda Kaye Haynes, Cindi Miller, Paul Stoney, Jen Pace, Zack Pace, Don Mintz, Caroline Tindal, Nora Ward, Samantha Ward, and Reeda Ward.
Thank you, dear readers for reading this column: each and every one of you is appreciated.  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 or find me on facebook.