“We must turn water into air in order to live, which for us means turning our experience into something that can sustain us. It means turning pain into wonder, heartache into joy.”

~ Mark Nepo

The Saluda Arts Festival is almost here: a favorite day in our little town, which usually enjoys sweet May breezes, blue sky, bright colors and smiling faces.

I remember only one rain-soaked event, but folks still came. On occasion, there has been a spring drizzle a time or two, but Ole Sol likes to hang with artists, enjoy live music, see stilt walkers and brighten things up a bit.

I remember well the first one, and here we are, 15 years later. It’s a tradition that will only get better with those passing years.

I’m too old and lazy to set up a booth, so you’ll see me at the information tent doing a volunteer stint, and later on out enjoying the art. Rain or shine, hope to see you there!

• The 15th annual Saluda Arts Festival is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Dancer’s Extension will have their seventh annual spring concert at Saluda School’s auditorium at 11:00. The art festival is organized each year by the CORE team (C-Creative, O-Organized, R-Responsible, E-Enthusiastic). This year, the team consists of Mary Mason, Beth Carson, Kristen Mode, Lauretta Cook, Debbie Camacho, Alexia Boyd and Cathy Jackson. Thank you to the CORE team and all the volunteers who make this possible! For questions, contact Alexia Boyd at alexia.timberlake@gmail.com or Mary Meyland-Mason at marymeyland@gmail.com or 817-946-1284. A list of artists and map locations is available at saluda.com.

• Saluda Welcome Table at Saluda Methodist Church is every Tuesday from 5:30-6:45 p.m.

• Saluda Tail Gate Market is open every Friday, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

• Saluda Living in Place is offering a new service: free blood pressure and diabetes risk screening on the Third Tuesday of each month at Saluda United Methodist Church’s Wesley Cottage, 132 Greenville St.

• Donations to help support Saluda Historic Depot can be sent to P.O. Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773 or HistoricSaluda.org website. Saluda Train Tales are held the third Friday each month April through October. The next Train Tales feature Saluda native Clark Thompson on May 18, 7 p.m. Clark will tell tales about growing up in Saluda in the 40s and 50s when trains were an integral part of life here.

• Learn about Saluda Community Land Trust by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. The next “Walk in the Woods” is May 20, to Saluda Nature Park, meet at Saluda Library, 2 p.m. Sunday. For more information on walks, contact Chuck Hearon at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net.

• Saluda Garden Club meets at 10 a.m. Monday at Saluda Library parking lot for trip to Bullington Gardens.

• It’s not too late to purchase an engraved brick paver to support building public restrooms at Pace Park on Main Street. Contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net for information, or visit city hall for a form.

• Coon Dog Day is July 7.

• 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, Thelma Jones, Betsy Burdett and Melia Bradley. Please add your names to the list!

Thank you for reading this column; as ever, the goal is to make you feel like you’re enjoying small town life in a friendly mountain town called Saluda. Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 749-1153, or visit bonniebardosart.com.