“The can opener doesn’t work,” he said. By now, I was thinking maybe, just maybe, someone wasn’t used to a manual can opener. But, instead of opening my big mouth, I politely offered up my electric one. Of course, this meant another mad dash to the kitchen, taking it apart to clean and dry, sticking my glasses on so I could see how much cleaning it needed, bagging it up, then hustling back to the door where River held the stranger at bay.

Again, the poor guy profusely thanked me; I halfway expected the doorbell to ring again, in about 15 minutes, but things quieted down. Both can openers returned home the next day, and all was well.

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 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All welcome for dinner; donations accepted.

Behind historic Thompson’s Store/Ward’s Grill, there’ll be “Jammin JP the Carolinas No. 1 DJ” at the Back Alley Barn on Friday, July 19, 6-9 p.m.

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 next Blue Ridge Contra Dance is Tuesday, July 23 at the Party Place and Event Center; lessons are from 7-7:30 p.m. and dancing from 7:30-10 p.m.

Summer, walks, woods: join Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) Walks in the Woods on the first and third Sunday of the month. Meet at the library parking lot at 2 p.m. to car pool. On July 21 the walk will be on the Missing 40, a one-mile loop of moderate walking one-two hours. Walkers will journey to the trailhead off of Pearson Falls Road and meet the trail as it crosses the North Pacolet River, just above the new concrete bridge. For information, call SCLT at 828-749-1560, or visit saludaclt.org.

The Saluda Craft Club meets July 25 at 12:30 p.m. at Saluda Center; the project will be a wine bottle light. If you’re interested in making one of these, pick up a supply list. For information contact Holly Wildey at 828-749-3129.

Art Notes: My artwork will be featured in “Crossing the Line” with Polk County native Charlotte Fowler at Upstairs Artspace, July 19-Aug. 31, along with “Seeing is Believing.” The reception is July 20, 5-8 p.m.; Charlotte and I will present a “Walk & Talk” tour of our art at 4 p.m. Bill Jameson and Jim Carson have fall painting workshops available: plan ahead.

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, Emma Jean McGraw and Nathen Pack.

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.