By Bonnie J. Bardos 

 Each day is a journey, and the journey itself home.

 ~  Matsuo Basho

 

One Saluda memory that often crosses my mind is Charlie Ward in his white apron whistling in early mornings, sweeping the sidewalk outside Thompson’s Store down on Main Street.

 

Because of Charlie, the town has the annual Pig Out, carried on in his honor. More than 500 people attended the first one back in 1999, all put on thanks to volunteers and donations. At the start, folks like JoAnn Way, Charlie Lewis, Dwight Smith, Bill Wilkerson, and Levi Randall came together and planned it all.

 

Saturday, it continues on, with more volunteers, bigger and better every year, a gathering of Saluda folks, young and old, with music, food, and once again, big hearts in a small town. Thank you, Charlie. I know you’ll be right there with us.

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street and continues into October.

 

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday, with dinner from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church.

 

“Top of the Grade Concerts” conclude at McCreery Park’s Ella Grace Mintz stage on Friday, Sept. 11, 7-9 p.m. with a grand finale performance by 6 String Drag.

 

The Charlie Ward Memorial Pig Out is Sept. 12 from 5-7 p.m. at McCreery Park with music by Mountain Roots Band with Jeff Hayes. Donations accepted at the event.

 

The Polk County Unity Lodge on Ozone Drive will have a blood drive Sept. 12 with the Blood Connection from 12-5 p.m.

 

A free breakfast to honor veterans at Ward’s Grill is on Sept. 17 from 7-10 a.m.

 

The Historic Saluda Committee meets Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. at Saluda Library.

 

Saluda Train Tales will be told by Dr. Fred McConnel at Saluda Historic Depot, 32 Main St. on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Walks in the Woods will be Sept. 20 (Cove Mountain Ridge). Meet at 2 p.m. at Saluda Library to carpool. Keep up with all that Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) does by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560.

The annual Antique & Vintage Show fundraiser to help with “Pave Pace Park” will be held on Sept. 26, from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., downtown Saluda. On Sept. 27, the “Cruise In For A Cause” will be held from 12-4 p.m. For more information or to request a vendor application to be a part of the Antique & Vintage Show, contact the City of Saluda at 828-749-2581 or Tangie Morgan at 828-749-1514.

 

Garden Notes: Don’t forget to keep hummingbirds supplied with clean feeders. My winged visitors are busy little fellows—impatient when I take the feeders in to clean them and bring fresh nectar out. It’s also a good time to turn compost heaps and collect dry seed for next year. I have bright coneflowers (bees love them) from Richard at the tailgate market, so I planted them in the front strip sidewalk garden which is an on-going garden ‘art’ project.

 

Happy anniversary to Rich and Rita Igoe, and Fred and Terry Baisden. Also, happy anniversary to Leon and Judy Morgan who celebrated theirs in August, but I’m late as usual in congratulating them!

Congratulations to Courtney Hoots and Justin Ridings on their recent marriage, and best wishes for many joyful years ahead.

Saluda sympathy goes out to Sandie Bright for the loss of her husband, Henry Bright. Henry was involved in volunteering around Saluda, and involved with Tryon Little Theater. His smile and good heart will be deeply missed in our community.

 

Happy September birthday to Wayne Thompson, Connie Woodruff, Courtney Hoots, Merci Weitzen, Dale McEntire, Joni Rauschenbach, Sonya Monts, Linda Kaye Hayes, Carol Kenfield, Debbie Fisher, Leslie Jespersen, Linda Mintz, Sheila Billeter, Cary Pace, Ross Arrington, Hop Foster, Chuck Hearon, Alexia Timberlake, Jason Justus and Clark Thompson.
Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. It’s my goal to make you feel as if you were enjoying a ‘Saluda Time’ visit on the porch swing with a glass of tea and watching butterflies dance in the garden. Please feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.