“Green was the silence, wet was the light,
the month of June trembled like a butterfly.”
– Pablo Neruda,
100 Love Sonnets

It’s hard to believe June has flown by so quickly.

Speaking of flying by, last week while eating lunch downtown, I watched traffic out on busy Main Street. So often, long pickup trucks are poking out into the two-lane street and you have to squeeze past them. Then you get folks backing out, unable to see what’s coming: being a local, I know to watch for brake lights, slow down and let someone out if they’re trying to back up — patience is a virtue indeed.

Of course, you get those who don’t know to do that or are too impatient. Case in point, a low-slung Lotus Elise got bopped in the rear as the driver tried to back out of a parking spot, sandwiched in by bigger vehicles. Have you ever seen grown men cry? It was the talk of Saluda, at least among the male population.
Men everywhere came to grieve over the wounded bumper. They stood in herds, sat on benches, pointed at the battle wounds; their pain evident. I can only imagine what the culprit’s insurance company said, because I bet that’s more pain indeed.

Finishing up lunch, I figured that tailgate party would be a measly $200 repair on my old car. Not so for the Lotus: probably $8,000. Besides, that thing looked a bit uncomfortable if you want to know the truth: low, tiny windows, cramped. Didn’t seem to detract from the flocking admirers drooling amid their tears over it, dents and all. However, you have to feel sorry for the poor guy, out tooling around on a summer afternoon in his fancy toy, so proud, never imagining a pit stop for lunch would entail more than he’d bargained.

Community:
Saluda Tailgate Market starts at 4:30 p.m. Fridays at the city parking lot off Main Street. Many Saluda businesses are open later on Friday, so you can stop by after tailgate marketing for shopping, dining and music.

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday. Dinner will be served from 5:30 -7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All welcome; donations accepted.
Help pave Pace Park! Have a loved one’s name, your own name or any name you choose engraved on a brick paver at Pace Park and be a contributor to this new community park. Proceeds will help build public restrooms as part of Pace Park. Pavers may be purchased at City Hall; sample bricks are on view. For additional information, please contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.

Take a hike. Enjoy “Walks in the Woods” with Saluda Community Land Trust on the first and third Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot for carpooling. SCLT’s phone is 828-749-1560; (website: saludaclt.org).

The N.C. Small Town Main Street promotions team kick off “Top of the Grade Concerts” this summer to carry out the vision of Saluda becoming a four-season destination for both local residents and visitors. The “Top of the Grade Concerts” will be on second and fourth Fridays, June through October. Performances are 6:30- 8:30 p.m. at McCreery Park at the old skateboard park area. Bring your own chair or lawn blanket; food will be available. No charge, but donations gratefully accepted.

There’ll be a town-wide Saluda Yard Sale on Saturday, June 29 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Signs will direct bargain and treasure hunters. Plan on spending the day shopping for great finds all around Saluda.

Get ready. A lot of activities are planned to celebrate Saluda’s 50th Coon Dog Day on Saturday, July 6. Mark your calendar; the parade begins at 11 a.m.
Happy June Birthday to Nancy Barnett, Verne Dawson, Peggy Ellwood, Anna Jackson, Charlie Jackson, Amy Violet Ford, Terry Arrington and Jeremy Edwards.

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. Keep in mind if you have something of note, feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com; or 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com.