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The truth I do not stretch or shove

When I state that the dog is full of love.

I’ve also found, by actual test,

A wet dog is the lovingest.

~ Odgen Nash, “The Dog”

The day for dogs is back in town! Saluda’s 59th Annual Coon Dog Day is this Saturday, July 9, with activities scheduled including live music, a parade, food, coon dog judging, and street dances. A lot of folks have been looking forward to the big day in a small town. 

 

As usual, it’s a hot July summer day, with breezes fluttering through banners overhead, families strolling, and coon dogs baying in the distance. Lemonade and watermelon, cicada songs, busy shops, restaurants, and art galleries entice locals and tourists alike. 

 

The parade at 11 a.m. is tradition. Rows of camping chairs stake the best spots along Main Street—those in the know claim their territory early on. Hillbilly trucks smoke and roar, fire trucks and cream-puff vintage cars parade in style, old VWs, motorcycles, and decorated floats roll by, while candy gets tossed to happy kids. Scents of barbecue, funnel cakes, hotdogs, and fried chicken permeate through the air. 

 

Over the years I’ve seen Sweet Potato Queens dancing, Elvis and his troupe making an appearance, and a little bit of everything. Indeed, there’s something for everyone. Ask any coon dog.

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is every 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 July 17- Twin Lakes, an open swim from 11-4 with a walk in the woods option. Bring a picnic; leave Rover at home for this event.

 

Saluda Pop-Up Pantry is Tuesday from 1-6 at Saluda Presbyterian Church, 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). Donations of paper goods are always welcome and needed. To volunteer at the Pantry, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, 828-749-9740.     You can mail tax-deductible donations to Saluda Pop-Up Pantry, P.O. Box 428, Saluda, NC 28773 or donate online at www.saludapantrycom. 

 

Saluda Community Table will have music and dinner on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at McCreery Park’s pavilion. The next one is July 13, 6 p.m. Bring your own plate, utensils, and cups to help ‘go green.’  

 

Saluda Train Tales at the Historic Depot & Museum will be July 15, 7 p.m. with Brian Sykes, a retiree from Norfolk Southern Railroad. 

 

A big THANK YOU to Saluda Living in Place (SLIP) retiring board members Edie Campbell, Frank McNutt, Lynn Cass, and DiAnne Arbour. Lynn and Edie are two of SLIP’s founding members and have nurtured SLIP for the past 7 years. It’s a guarantee that they’ll all continue to be involved! 

 

Saluda Sympathy goes to the family of Sheila Russell, wife of Bill Russell. She will be deeply missed in our community. 

 

Happy July Birthday to Debi Thomas, Rheta Foster, Nancy Weinhagen, Lisa Obermiller, Kathy Thompson, Bill Jameson, Emily Rose Ford, Jeremy Ford, Mike Cass,  Nathen Honeycutt, Melissa Justus, Hunter Justus, Alyssa Justus, Lin Savage, Doug Taylor, Amanda Anderson, Gail Slaughter, Diane Ballard, Amber Grant, and Marianne Blazar. Add your birthday to the list! 

 

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