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“It is a good thing to learn caution from the misfortunes of others.” ~ Publilius Syrus (85–43 BC)

 

Every now and then, I just gotta write a column about “don’t do what I did.” Consider it sage advice, Dear Reader. Trust me on that! 

 

My cautionary tale for today involves me being denser than a soaking-wet loaf of bread  – I trusted a company to safely store my bank card number for convenience’s sake. 

 

A certain well-known restaurant/bread chain, that we shall not name, makes bread that is a long-time addiction of mine, especially when I’ve been too lazy to bake my own. With their app on my phone, I could get my order quickly – paid for, bagged, ready to ride off into the sunset (or to a jar of strawberry jam and butter). 

 

To make a long story short, my account was hacked. Some low-life in the Bronx placed three orders, including a year’s coffee subscription. I started getting notifications that I’d ordered all this, and it’d be ready soon. Huh? Then my bank sent alerts, checking to see if it was me which led to scrambling to call their fraud division. 

 

Now I’m stuck with waiting for a new card/number (which is a royal pain, folks). The app has been scrubbed off my phone. And I’m still ticked about that coffee subscription, let alone the dinners the hacker enjoyed at my expense. 

 

This lesson learned the hard way. It could’ve been worse. Hackers won’t get far on my bank account, that’s for certain, but it rankles. May they have heartburn a long, long time.

 

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is Friday at the west city parking lot location off Main Street, 4:30-6 p.m. 

 

 

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) is active with land conservation, trails, projects and more: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 for information. Support SCLT with donations, volunteering, and Amazon Smile. Contact “Trail Boss” Chuck Hearon at chearon1942@gmail.com about lead a hike, or helping clear trails. The next Walk in the Woods is June 19 to Green River Cove/Old Cove Road. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. 

 

Saluda Library has summer storytime sessions for ages 2-5 on Tuesdays at 10:30 through August 3. Books, songs, and fun activities for the younger crowd!

 

Thanks to SCLT and Polk County Community Foundation’s partnership, free swimming lessons are available again at Twin Lakes this summer (June 20-July 22) for Polk County residents and those living in the Saluda zip code. Instructor Brian Lilburn, who has 20+ years of experience teaching swimming, is scheduling daily one-on-one lessons of 15-20 minutes daily (Monday through Friday) between 9-5.  Children can start lessons as young as 12 months old. To sign up or information, call SCLT’s office or email twinlakesswim@gmail.com

 

The Top of the Grade Summer Concert Series returns at McCreery Park with Fancy and the Gentlemen on June 24, 7-9 p.m. 

 

Pot luck/bingo night at Saluda Center is June 27, 6 p.m.  

 

Saluda Presbyterian Church plans a “Thank You Celebration” on July 2, 11:30 on the front lawn with food, fun, and fellowship to highlight what donations and hard work can do to help restore a small historic Saluda treasure. 

 

The 58th Annual Coon Dog Day is July 9, 12 – 9:30 p.m. Don’t miss it! 

 

On Coon Dog Day, the Saluda 5K will be a project/fundraiser for Saluda Elementary School. The 3.1-mile run begins on Main Street at 8 a.m. and follows the traditional Coon Dog Day 5k route: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Saluda/CoonDogDayRace.  If you’d like to volunteer, contact Gina at gburnett@polkschools.org.

 

The Saluda Visitor Center at 20 Main Street is open daily from 11 a.m to 4:30 p.m.; as well as First Friday Strolls from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you’re interested in volunteering/learning about the Visitor Center contact Lynn Casey at caseysaluda@gmail.com. 

 

Congratulations to all recent graduates!  

 

Happy June Birthday to Nancy Barnett, Verne Dawson, Peggy Ellwood, Anna Jackson, Charlie Jackson, Amy Violet Ford, Terry Arrington, Julie Arrington, Susie Welsh Hearn, Jeremy Edwards, Eleanor Morgan, Mary Lu Price, Sigi Hendrickson, Edna McKee, Lucinda Pittman, D.J. Gaskin, Susan Matthews, Lisa Duck, Kasey Watkins, Elena Robson, Karen McGee, Jane Mann, and Chambli Dawn Stuber. 

 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 817-6765, P.O. Box 331, Saluda, NC 28773, Facebook, or visit bonniebardos.com