“I become part of the golden comb hidden in the hive humming with delight.” ~ Stephen Levine

Over the years in Saluda, you see it all. I’ve seen horses trotting down the street, a cow in the backyard, rustling groundhogs scurrying low, sly foxes, possums, raccoons, deer, bears, teenagers, and other varied and sundry forms of critters here and there—if not in my yard, in or near someone else’s.

Last week, Nugget and Miss Mac, SCLT/Betsy Burdett’s weed eatin’ goats stationed over at the old Saint Matthews church, got loose, had enough of kudzu and headed up Greenville Street looking for something better—sort of a Thelma and Louise goat adventure.

Could be the escapees figured grass (and the kudzu) was greener across the tracks. Being it’s Saluda, the two party animals were spotted on the lam. Word spread like wildfire. Mugshots of two goat rear ends heading up the street were posted on Facebook. Reports were the miscreants stopped by the Methodist church to check out the Tuesday welcome table menu.

Before you could say baa-aaa-dddddd, the escapees were nabbed with promises of policeman Bucky’s trail mix and Jeremy Ford holding on for dear life.

You know it’s still Saluda when folks worry over a pair of silly goats named Nugget and Miss Mac (named for Betsy’s son Joseph Burdett’s favorite fourth grade teacher Miss McCormick at Saluda School) in the street, try to get them rounded up, and have a good laugh without it getting’ their goat. Only in Saluda. Home of goats and good hearts.

Saluda Tailgate Market is open on Fridays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street. Offerings include local honey, produce, delicious baked goodies, plants, and more.

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

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) benefits from your donations or time as a volunteer for their many community projects. “Walks in the Woods” are on the first and third Sundays each month; free swimming lessons will be at Twin Lakes this summer. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org.

Donations to help support Saluda Historic Depot can be sent to P.O. Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773 or on the HistoricSaluda.org website. Saluda Train Tales are held on the third Friday each month April through October. The depot is open Thursday through Sunday noon – 4 p.m. Saluda Art Legends – Past & Present is the current exhibit at the depot featuring 17 Saluda artists.

A big thank you to all the tireless volunteers who participated in the 13th annual Saluda Arts Festival last Saturday! Some volunteers work on this festival most of the year, some for a few weeks, some for a few hours. All make it a great success!

There will be a community potluck and bingo evening at Saluda Center, May 30, 6 p.m. Bring a covered dish to share.

If you’ve been saving box tops for Saluda School, be sure to save them over the summer. The school receives 10 cents for each. The money is used for the Books Are Really Fun program.

Plan ahead for a city-wide yard sale event June 18 (7 a.m. – 3 p.m.) at Saluda School’s tennis courts, McCreery Park, Pavilion and around town in yards all over. To reserve a free space, request a sign, or for more information, call 828-749-3789.

Coon Dog Day is July 9.

Happy May birthday to Amy Copeland, Corinne Gerwe, Chris Anderson, Mark Jackson, Cary Pace, Lisa Hipp, Trevor Young, Jemme Latell, Paul Marion, Jesse Thomas, Margaret Sease, Elizabeth Baldwin, Chad Baldwin, Lynn Cass, and Thelma Jones.

Saluda get-well goes to Peggie Morrison.

Garden Notes: an easy, inexpensive weed killer that works like a charm is cups of Epsom salts, gallon of white vinegar, and ¼ cup original (blue) Dawn dish washing detergent. Mix in a sprayer, vanquish the enemy with glee. (Be sure to apply on a sunny day when no rain’s expected.)

Thank you dear readers, for reading this column. It’s always a pleasure hearing from you! My goal is to make you feel like you’re having a front porch visit, enjoying a cool glass of tea, goats, flowers and life in a small town called Saluda. You can email me at bbardos@gmail.com, call 749-1153, visit my website at bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.