The next N.C. Small Town Main Street Top of the Grade concert is Aug. 23, 6:30 p.m., featuring Aaron Burdett at McCreery Park; bring a lawn chair; food is available.

Come enjoy a community potluck and bingo at Saluda Center, Aug. 26, 6 p.m. Bring your favorite dish to share.

Saluda School: first day of school will be Aug. 26: welcome back to students and teachers.

Dance away the rain blues at the next Blue Ridge Contra Dance at The Party Place and Event Center, Aug. 27 starting at 7 p.m.

Get well wishes go to Charlene Pace. Did you know that Charlene, who has been a long-time documenter of Saluda history, has been here for 68 years? She married into Saluda you might say. We reminisced old-timers like Press Middleton, Myrtle Phillips, Hugh Morgan, Charlie Ward, Robert Pace and many others that have passed away since I’ve been here. I’m just an upstart newcomer, considering I’ve only been around here for 20 years.

Elizabeth Justus thinks her mother, Ruth Lawter, may be the oldest living Saluda native, now — Ruth has a birthday coming up in September. I just know we have Saluda treasures, past and present, and how much they’ve meant to this town, to my own heart, and to many others: Charlene, Martha Anderson, Martha Ashley, Ruth, George Jones and more.

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 and your comments are valued. If you have something of note, feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com; or 828-749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com or find me on facebook.