Of course, while all I had to do was a quick sweep, it became my mission to outwit the critter: I never could spot it, midnight or dawn, but it sure liked that one spot at my door. Finally this morning, coffee in hand, porch swing and a rare bit of sunshine starting my day, I looked up. There, at a wasp nest in the eaves, was a solitary brown bat. I’d found my nemesis and smiled.

Poor bats, they’ve had a rough time: once there was a colony of 200 living under my old house’s shutters. Year by year, like honeybees, they started disappearing. So, now that I know my visitor is not the imagined evil rat or worse, I’ll just sweep the porch without fuss. (After all, bat guano is wonderful for flowers.)

Saluda Tailgate Market starts at 4:30 p.m. Fridays at the city parking lot off Main Street. Many Saluda businesses are open later on Friday.

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

Help pave Pace Park! Have a loved one’s name, your own name, or any name you choose   engraved on a brick paver at Pace Park. Pavers may be purchased at City Hall for $40 each; sample bricks are on view. For additional information, please contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.

Saluda Community Land Trust will have another grand re-opening afternoon at Wilkes Twin Lakes on July 14 from noon-5 p.m.; catch a shuttle van at Saluda Fire Department on Greenville Street; come for a free lunch and bring swimsuits and towels.

Also, enjoy “Walks in the Woods” on the first and third Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot for carpooling. SCLT’s phone is 828-749-1560; (website: saludaclt.org).

Thank you to Rich and Rita Igoe for a donation of hostas to Saluda Dog Park. Also a big thanks to all volunteers who worked on Coon Dog day, the 5K race and clean up.

The N.C. Small Town Main Street “Top of the Grade Concerts” are on second and fourth Fridays through October. Performances are 6:30- 8:30 p.m. at McCreery Park; bring a lawn chair. The July 12 concert will have Hendersonville’s antique car club rolling into town as “Sound Investment” plays.

Happy July Birthday to Doris Marion, Debi Thomas, Rheta Foster, Nancy Weinhagen, Tosh Miller, Lisa Obermiller, Kathy Thompson, Bill Jameson, Emily Rose Ford, Jeremy Ford, Mike Cass and Emma Jean McGraw.

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. 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.