As summer winds down in Saluda, kids are back in school, the summer folk are returning home, summer crops are in, plants and trees are tinging with yellow, and the moon is getter bigger and more orange. This is the time when Charlie Ward and a few good people hold a barbeque for the town's people. It's Charlie’s way of saying, “thank you” to Saluda residents and visitors for their patronage. Charlie and his “Team Barbeque” invite everyone to attend this year’s annual event on Saturday, September 23 at McCreery Park. Returning for the sixth year is the "Drovers Ole Tyme Medicine Band" performing at 2pm. Barbeque will be served until 5pm. Everyone is reminded to bring a chair and a dessert for the "dessert table."

Saluda Fine Arts Summer Sunday Art continues through September. Events are free and open to the public. The gallery opens Sundays at 2, and events begin at 3. For information call 828- 749-3920.

September 3-Beverly Pickard helps you discover some easy ways to fix drawing errors – errors that often do not diminish the greatness of the art in which they appear. Lots to look at and some interesting things to practice.
September 10 - Phyllis Blatecky demonstrates how she creates art with stained glass. You’ll see how she enjoys what she does, and samples of her creations are displayed for your inspiration.
September 17 - Ken Weitzen shares his knowledge of wildflower photography, including what equipment to use, techniques for the best results, and the best places to find local wildflowers. Examples of his work illustrate his skill and love of wildflower photography.
September 24 - "Let’s Talk About Red Apples"
The final Summer Sunday Art Event at Saluda Fine Arts, features apples – apples and grandparents. When situations and conversations deteriorated, Big Mama, the mother of 12, would say, "Let’s talk about red apples." We plan to do just that! Gallery artists will display "apple art" and share grandparent memories through art, photos, letters etc. The public is invited to share their apple art and grandparent memories. The gallery opens at 2. The "Let’s Talk About Red Apples" program begins at 3. There will be plenty of real apples to look at, or eat. Artists will be drawing, painting, photographing red apples. Participants may also create their own drawings and paintings.

Friday Night Art Party in Downtown Saluda
Thanks to all of you, our first Art Party was a great success! We're all looking forward to the next one. On Friday, September 1, come join us in downtown Saluda for another night of fine, folk and fun art.
Your Arts Desire, located in the Nostalgia Courtyard with the Wildflour Bakery and the Gardener's Cottage, will be sharing wine & nibbles and featuring fused glass and precious metal clay demonstrations by Ellen Miles. The Wildflour Bakery at 173 E. Main will feature the art of sculptor Linda Seagroves during their regular Friday Pizza Night. Random Arts at 44 E. Main will demonstrate the how-to's of Artist Trading Cards. Tosh's Whistle Stop Cafe at 101 E. Main presents the music of Bill Pillmore. Classical guitarist Jhon Akers will be performing selections from "The Story of Carl Sandburg and Andres Segovia" at the Saluda Fine Arts Gallery at 46 E. Main. The Heartwood Gallery at 21 E. Main will be featuring the first of their fall creations and Salamander at 7 West Main will be featuring a Tibetan Singing Bowl demonstration by Benjamin Iobst.

For more information, please contact Sam Lovelace (Your Art's Desire) at 749-3154 or 864-457- 6166.

You can purchase tickets at Saluda Fine Arts for the “Saluda Grade Quilt” designed and quilted by Toni Garcia. Proceeds from the raffle tickets will go to the Saluda Community Library.

Morgan Auction & Realty provide real and personal property sales and business liquidation. The firm auctions antiques and collectibles two and three times a month. Next scheduled auctions are September 9, 16, and 30 at 7pm. The Auction House is located conveniently off Ozone behind the Apple Mill.

Eat, Drink, and be Charitable
You can be the recipient of an Elegant Dinner for Six in a Premier Saluda Home.

If you are the lucky beneficiary of this elegant dinner, you select the date and time in October. Only 100 tickets will be sold and the drawing is September 12, 2006.

And, if you don’t win this private dinner – You Still Win!

All other ticket holders and one guest are invited to a casual Low Country Boil (Seafood) Dinner October 5, 5:30 PM.

Tickets are $100 Please call 697-0754 for ticket information. Proceeds support college scholarships, Saluda Medical Center and Saluda Volunteer Fire Department

Sponsored by Women’s Club of Saluda

Saluda Artist, Jim Carson
is planning a "Plein Air" workshop in Saluda on Friday,Oct.13 through Sunday,Oct.15.The "Painting Fast And Loose" workshop will emphasize simplifying shapes, color harmony, and composition. Link to Jim's web site from Quick Links to get fees and sign up information.

Saluda Mountain Jamboree
--"The Night Vision" band & several of their Fan Club members spent the weekend here in Saluda. The band performed at the Jamboree on August 26th. They all wanted to thank everyone in Saluda and especially the owners and staff at Saluda Mountain Lodge for making them feel welcome and extending such hospitality.They found that throughout every shop and restaurant that they visited, the people are what make Saluda so special. Thanks to all for making it a great weekend for them. "The Night Vision" band will be performing again at the Saluda Mountain Jamboree on Saturday, Sept. 16th. They are a great band, so if you missed their performance last week, be sure to mark your calendar for Sept. 16th. -- A Branson show, “The Ozark Jubilee” is coming to the Jamboree on Sunday, September 24 at 3 pm. Tickets are $20.00 and are on sale now. This is a Branson show that goes on the road two times per year and we feel lucky to bring that to Saluda. Please click on the link provided in the Quick Links to get more information.

Comedy Act at the Front Porch Coffee Bar
A nationally-touring solo guitar-playing singing comedian, Carla Ulbrich is performing at the Front Porch Coffee Bar Saturday, September 9 at 7. Carla does a mix of stand-up comedy and humorous songs (both parodies and original songs). *Clean* comedy (PG rated), no swearing. Bring the kids and have some fun!

The popular Green River Boys perform at the City Club Grill Restaurant September 1, 15 and 29 at 6:00pm.

Plein air painter, Bill Jameson is conducting a five-day painting workshop in and around Saluda from October 16-20. Around Saluda you will paint mountain vistas, waterfalls and streams. Instruction will be offered for all painting levels in oils, acrylics and watercolors. For complete details and registration please contact Bill at 828-749-3101 or visit his web page provided in the Quick Links.

Please join The Orchard Inn's SILVER ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND September 7-10, 2006.
LEMONADE ON THE LAWN Thursday, 3-5 p.m. Open to the public. Come celebrate with innkeepers past and present!

SERENADED DINNER Friday & Saturday Evenings By reservation. Entertainment by Ken Hough, Tenor and former Innkeeper; accompanied by piano.

IN THE KITCHEN WITH ROBERT AND KEN Saturday, 10 a.m. By reservation. Join two talented chefs as they share secrets for some of their delectable sauces!

Big Band Sound Returning to Saluda
“A Sign of the Times” returns to Saluda and will perform on stage of the red caboose at Frank & Amy’s Front Porch Coffee Bar at 7:00pm, September 30. Hundreds attended last year’s performance so be sure to mark your calendar for this spectacular performance.

“A Sign of The Times,” is led by Director, Tyrone Jefferson formerly the music director for award- winning singer James Brown. The ensemble consists of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, percussionist, drums, vocalists, electric bass, and electric guitar.

The event is a community service organized by Frank and Amy Beeson and totally supported by contributions from Saluda citizens and businesses. If you would like to help support this year’s performance, please contact Frank or Amy at 828- 749-3252.

Photos of very old, large trees located in the Saluda community to be displayed in downtown businesses. Photos may be of either native and/or non-native species. Photo quality must be sharp and clear. Please include with photo the name of the person(s) submitting photo, the property owner, location of the tree (street/road) and the kind of tree if known.

In commemoration of Saluda’s 125th birthday, the Saluda Community Tree Preservation Committee is requesting photos of old and beautiful trees found within our community. The Saluda community’s natural environment and specifically trees are a legacy endowed to the community through many generations of those who have appreciated trees for both their aesthetic and practical value and have preserved these trees for us.

Photos may be left at Saluda City Hall in the box in the front window. Please indicate if you wish photo (s) to be returned. With much appreciation, The Saluda Community Tree Preservation Committee. Call 749-9718 for more information.

In mid summer, the tree that catches my attention is the crape myrtle. There is a white one in front of the Purple Onion that has been in bloom since the beginning of July. This particular tree is about 12 years old, and was planted by Nancy Barnett.

The common crape myrtle is a native of Korea, Japan and China, where it is called the “flower of 100 days.” Crape myrtles were first cultivated by Andre Michaux around 1786. They grew at Mount Vernon in the 18th century and are now a very popular tree in the south. The name “crape” is because the crinkly blossoms resemble crepe paper. The leaves resemble true myrtle, thus the name “myrtle.”
Article submitted by Elena Robson

The Saluda Garden Club is pleased to announce that Master Gardner and President of Asheville Chrysanthemum Society, Tom Fortener, will be the guest speaker at this month’s meeting. Everyone is invited to attend at 10:00am, Monday, September 18 at the Saluda Community Library. Just in time to learn how to grow colorful fall mums! To join the Garden Club please contact Margaret Moffat at 749- 9229.

M.A. Pace General Store has restocked its Coon Dog Day T-shirts. While you are there, you may want to pick up a couple of jars of jellies and preserves with the M.A. Pace General Store label. They make great gifts and are very tasty, too!

Marti and Dan Wells at Buttercup Cottage report a good season this summer. Guests like the fact that Buttercup Cottage is a non-smoking accommodation, walking distance to Main Street, that its in a neighborhood and they accept dogs. The two- bedroom cottage is perfect for two couples or a small family. Minimum stay is two nights, rent "by the week" and they are flexible regarding arrival and departure dates. The cottage has some openings for the rest of the summer and the fall so this is the time to book accommodations. You can contact Dan and Marti at Buttercupcottage@earthlink.net.

Saluda artist, Bonnie Joy Bardos won a merit award for her painting Lotus: My Saving Graces in the Artists' Guild of Spartanburg's 33rd Juried Exhibition. Bonnie's paintings are displayed at Tosh's WhistleStop Cafe.

Changes are occurring at Treasurer's Within. Doctors Eric and Ginger Tickle, chiropractors are the new owners and will be changing the name to Tickle Family Health Center and Spa. In addition to massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials they will be practicing acupuncture and chiropractic. The Tickles moved here from Colorado with their five year-old daughter, Riley and three-year old son, Saxton. Services are offered Tuesday through Saturday 9am to 7pm.

Vikki Mollette, Physician’s Assistant has joined SMC. From Almont, Michigan she has moved here with her husband and two young children. Vikki graduated from the Primary Care Association Program of Stanford University School of Medicine Summa Cum Laude with a PA Certification. She is a DEA Registered and Board Certified Physician’s Assistant. After spending summers in Asheville with her grandmother, Vikki and her family have fallen in love with the area. Saluda Medical Center will be holding a reception to introduce Vikki to the community.

On October 11, 2001, one month after our nation's tragedy, I walked down the hill from my house to the post office in Saluda, NC. At the corner of Main Street I saw luscious blue and violet morning glories tumbling over a pile of concrete slabs and old timbers. A spotless blue sky hung as a backdrop for the flag and some white smoke puffing from the chimney of a nearby house. Wind kept the flag moving and alert.

I chose to paint this scene as my representation of beauty, life and unity overcoming destruction. As I focused on painting the flowers, my grandson reminded me that the flag was more important and should be the tallest and most carefully painted.

The original is oil on canvas 12' x 16."

Prints of this painting are available at Saluda Fine Arts. Ten dollars from the sale of each print is donated to the Saluda Volunteer Fire and Rescue in honor and memory of our "fallen angels."

Beverly Bowden Pickard Saluda Fine Arts, Saluda, NC

Summer resident, Joe Adams, has released the second edition of his book, “Butter Beans for the Soul.”Books can be purchased at M.A.Pace General Store.

This is fun reading and will make you smile no matter how hard you try not to.

Here's an excerpt ...
"I know a lot of people swear by the mysterious healing power of chicken soup. But I think they are mainly Yankees. Here in the South, a mess of butter beans is what we look to for physical and spiritual rejuvenation. They're a sure cure for the blues."

Joe is a newspaper humor columnist, a book author, an award-winning playwright, a storyteller...and other things are emerging daily.

Joe feels that everyone should write his or her life's story. He does a workshop on "HOW TO WRITE YOUR LIFE STORY...AND WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT NOW..."

The workshops last about 4 hours...start around l0 in the morning...have a break for lunch...and then resume for another hour or so. He is very flexible about the format, however. Joe says, "Basically I feel that everyone should write their life story...every life is significant and needs to be documented as a LEGACY for their family and friends. A lot of people would like to write but they don't know how to get started or they don't feel comfortable with written words. I give them an EASY WAY to write their stories...and to find those things in their lives that are worth 'telling'."

If you are interested in starting a workshop you can contact Joe at americaohyes@aol.com.

Readers have requested that Saluda Lifestyles provide a listing of local church services. This is not a complete list but a representation of the denominations in Saluda.

Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
The Reverend Paula C. Morton
8:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist - Rite I
9:15 a.m. - Sunday School
10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist - Rite II with music

Saluda Presbyterian
The Reverend Gene Witherspoon
Adult SS 10:00 am
Worship Service 11:00 am

Saluda First Baptist Church
The Reverend Ray Talley, Interim
SS 9:45 am
Worship Service 11 am & 6:00 pm
Wednesday 7:00 pm

Saluda Methodist Church
The Reverend Tony Sayer
SS 10:00 am
Worship Service 11:00 am

Saluda has always known the worth of a good “coon dog” evidenced by 43 years of celebrating “Coon Dog Day.” The American Kennel Club has now made a major push to add “coon dogs” to its prestigious rolls. A.K.C. is working to enroll more than the 1.2 million coon dogs in the nation. Negotiating with governments to ensure there is ample hunting land for the dogs and setting up competitive hunts are assurances to preserve these dogs for the future. A good coonhound can bring $4,000 to $5,000 and some bring up to $100,000. When those coon dogs are marching in next year’s Coon Dog Day parade, you may want to give them the respect they deserve.

Doris Marion, City Clerk has been out with a medical problem. I know everyone is missing her and realizing that it takes two or three people to do all the things that she does. I know all Saludians wish you a speedy recovery, Doris.