Thousands descended on Saluda for the 43rd annual Coon Dog Day. City Manager, Erny Williams said “it was the largest attendance ever.” When asked how he measured this, he commented that this is the first year that he had to close five of the ten porta johns because they were full before 6:00pm!

Winner of the Coon Dog Day poster was Laura Norris from Asheville. All the official posters and T-shirts sold out that Saturday.

Coon Dog Day “Little Princess” was Savannah Caughron, “Princess,” Sydney Singleton, “Baby Prince,” Jessie Heatherly, and "Queen," Amanda Burrell.

To see the results of the Coon Dog Day 5K please click here

Saluda Senior Center

For more information about activities at Saluda Senior Center call Donna at 828-749-9245.

The Saluda Senior Center provides many services to the growing retirement community in Saluda. Volunteers to provide these services are needed. They encourage you to share your time to help deliver meals on wheels or work in A Thrifty Barn retail shop. Please contact Donna at 828-749- 9245.

Special Note: A Thrifty Barn needs people who will pick up and deliver for customers. They would like to have a list of people on call for this service. Payment would be between delivery person and the customer. Please call Joyce at 749-3320.

Saluda Fine Arts
Continues its free art events. Each week through September 24 the gallery is open on Sunday from 2 until 5 with special events beginning at 3. Participation is free and open to the public.

The gallery is open seven days a week: 11 – 5, Monday – Saturday and 2 – 5 on Sundays.

August 6 - Dave Prudhomme demonstrates the properties of wood and how the stress that’s been put on the wood by such things as storm damage and insects dictates what the sculptor can or cannot do.

August 13- Ray Pague paints a still life illustrating how he was influenced by the work of artists such as Vermeer and Rembrandt. He will also give a brief overview on how to make your own paints using methods of the old masters.

August 20 - Jem Littell discusses the uniqueness of pastels and demonstrates methods of painting with them.

August 27 - Kanda Orlando demonstrates creative photo manipulation using the computer 3 PM and Verlie Murphy demonstrates encaustic (wax) painting at 4 PM.

Tennis Classes for Children and Adults-Saluda Public Tennis Courts
The Community Tennis Association of Henderson County (incuding Saluda area) will be offering tennis lessons for kids and adults scheduled for the following Saturdays: July 29, August 5, August 12, August 19. Class size-maximum 8 people, required minimum 6 people, Kids -4 sessions for $20 Classes will be determined based upon the age and skill level of children in the class. Kids session starts at 10:30am. Adults - 4 sessions for $35 (adult - 18 years and older) Adults' session 9:30-10:30. Classes taught by a US Tenniss Association Certified Teaching Professional. For more information and to sign up please contact Bevie Walker at 749-5616 or leave a message at 693-3030.

Friday Night Art Party in Saluda
On Friday August 4, from 5:00 to 7:30 pm, downtown Saluda will be hosting the first “Friday Night Art Party.” Your Arts Desire, located in the Nostalgia Courtyard with the Wildflour Bakery and the Gardener's Cottage, will be sharing wine, nibbles and demonstrations and featuring the art of Sam Lovelace. The Wildflour Bakery at 173 E. Main will be featuring the art of Karen Dickson during their regular Friday Pizza Night. Random Arts at 44 E. Main will be demonstrating the art of photo transfer on fabric and paper. Tosh's Whistle Stop Café at 101 E. Main will be featuring live music and the art of Bonnie Bardos. Classical guitarist Jhon Akers will be performing at Saluda Fine Arts at 46 E. Main, and the Heartwood Gallery at 21 E. Main will be opening their exhibit of the work of Jane Voorhees. Come stroll and sample, listen and learn, relax and revive with the Artcentric folks of Saluda! For more information, please contact Sam Lovelace (Your Art's Desire) at 749-3154 or 864-457-6166.

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
is bringing back the band “Legacy” on August 12 to perform the “Tribute to Elvis” show. The band has updated the show and the changes have made it even better than the first. 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

Saluda will celebrate its 125th birthday August 5 at McCreery Park from 3 to 5. Ice cream and cake will be served.

Curtis Wright Outfitters is holding a free Saluda Casting Clinic on Saturday, August 19 from 8-10:00am. Call 749-3444 to reserve a spot.

Random Arts's August Workshops will be August 2-Basic Stamping for Beginners 1-3pm $15, August 4-Kristi Steiner-Heart shaped Fabric Book 10- 4pm $80, August 11 and 12 - Resin PMC Bracelet with Lisa Blackwell $350 for two days, August 18 - FREE Mini workshop 11am and 2pm-Fast and Easy Photo Transfers, August 25 - FREE Mini workshops 11am and 2pm - Carve your own stamps. Please contact Random Arts at 749-1165.

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.

A free local wildflower photography workshop will be presented by Ken Weitzen at the Saluda Fine Arts Gallery on Sunday, September 17 at 3:00 p.m.

Weitzen's appreciation of Western North Carolina's natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor sports were the primary reasons for his relocating to Henderson County in 1978. He is an avid hiker, trout fisherman, mountain and road bicyclist, whitewater paddler, and supporter of local environmental causes.

Weitzen's initial goal as a photographer was to photograph locations and action scenes of the outdoor activities in which both he and his wife, Sandy, participate. However, the action shots were put on hold after Weitzen took his first wildflower photograph in the spring of 2004. Since then his subject matter has been the wildflowers of Western North Carolina, especially those found in Henderson and Polk Counties.

Weitzen's wildflower photography workshop will focus on three topics: best locations for local wildflowers, equipment, and technique. Photos of Weitzen's work will be available for viewing at the workshop. Space is limited, so pre-registration for the workshop is recommended. For information or to register, contact Ken Weitzen at 828-698-8453 or Beverly Pickard at Saluda Fine Arts at 828-749-3920. (article submitted)

The Saluda Garden Club's monthly meeting is 10:00am August 21 at Saluda Presbyterian Church. After the meeting the group will travel to Debbie Hahn's garden at Lake Hosea to tour her garden. The Garden Club is revitalizing "Spring Park" behind Saluda City Hall and welcomes anyone to join them who is interested in beautifying Saluda. To join the Garden Club please contact Margaret Moffat at 749- 9229.

At Thompson's Store Polk County farmers are stocking the store with tomatoes, corn, and green beans—add some cornbread and sweet tea and you have a perfect summer meal!

The wooden racoon statue in the picture is the last one for sale so maybe you can bargain with Charlie and Judy.

Tosh’s WhistleStop Café has a new web site. Check out the event calendar for the August Outdoor Concerts on Friday nights in the Quick Links.

Featured on CBS’ “The Morning Show” in July, “Tales and Recipes from a Southern Kitchen. From Charleston to Asheville,” Written by Historian Douglas W. Bostick and Chef Jason R. Davidson is being sold exclusively in Saluda at Tosh's Whistle Stop Cafe'.

Look in the August issue of “Southern Living” on page NC4 and you will see “Saluting Saluda” featuring the Wildflour Bakery, Thompson’s Store and Ward’s Grill, and Heartwood Gallery.

Sam Lovelace, artist (and former librarian of Saluda Community Library) will appear on the WLOS- ABC (channel 13 in Asheville) noon arts show through the month of August. She will be teaching how to create your own custom shampoos and body washes and making custom beads using a mold.

If you haven’t been to one of the Saturday night auctions then you are missing a real entertainment opportunity. Morgan Auction & Realty provide real and personal property sales and business liquidation. The firm auctions antiques and collectibles twice a month. Next scheduled auctions are August 5 and 19 at 7pm. The Auction House is located conveniently off Ozone behind the Apple Mill.

Saluda Apartment for Rent 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment overlooking Historic Main St, approx 2000 sq ft, living/dining, kitchen with fridge, laundry room (washer/dryer included) and large screen porch. $925/mo, 1 yr lease with one month deposit. Tenant pays own util. Call 828-749- 3504.

Jim Rathbone will be making his fishing trip to the NC coast this month. He'll be bringing back flounder, red snapper, grouper, and shrimp. If you want to purchase his seafood then give him a call at 552-2094.

The Saluda Business Association will meet August 1 at 5:30pm at the Purple Onion. This is the association's annnual "social." All members of the association are encouraged to attend (you don't want to miss Bob Thompson's famous Sangria!)

Judy Ward wants everyone to know that they have restocked on Youth and XX sizes of the Coon Dog Day T-shirt.

Safari Steve leads kids on an imaginary adventure of scientific discovery at the Saluda Community Library. The program was part of the library's 2006 Summer Reading Program, "Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales".

Venomous Snakes and Spiders of North Carolina
Wednesday, August 16 @ 1:00 pm Ages 6 and up
Discover the differences between dangerous and harmless species of snakes and spiders. Examine live, nonvenomous snakes as well as various types of spiders in a safe, non- threatening environment.

The Saluda Grade, an original quilt by Toni DeCamp Garcia, depicts the Saluda train filled with loads of freight, traversing fields of wild flowers and distant mountains.

Flying Geese (a classic quilting pattern) travel up and across the picture, while black bears surround, and railroad crossings highlight the corners.

Toni first came to Saluda in 1976 when her parents Jane and Dolph DeCamp were building a home at Lake Sheila. She has happy memories of Coon Dog Days and of the train conductor who would wave to her children as the Saluda train crested the Grade and stopped. She has created this quilt and donated it to the library to raise funds. Raffle tickets will be sold at the library through the fall with the winning ticket to be drawn at the "Hometown Christmas" stroll. For information please contact the library at 828-749-2117.

Saluda resident, Carey Pickard loves to take pictures and he loves automobiles. He took this snapshot in front of the Purple Onion one evening. The Purple Onion liked it so much they are using it on the home page of their web site.

If you would like to get a print, Carey is selling the picture at Saluda Fine Arts.

Polk County, the Isothermal RPO and NCDOT’s Transportation Planning Branch are seeking public input as part of the Polk County Comprehensive Transportation Plan. You can participate by completing a short survey that can be picked up at City Hall that will let them know what the issues and needs are in Saluda. Polk County’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) will address multiple modes of transportation, and will involve local government officials and the public. Public hearings will be held to receive input on transportation in the county.

Since April 2004, the Front Porch Coffee Bar has produced a seasonal, weekly outdoor concert series that has been mainly listener supported. There is no admission charge for these concerts and all are welcome to enjoy local, regional, and national musical talent. You don’t even have to buy a cup of coffee!

Contributions to a “Concert Fund” are encouraged both at the shows and during normal business hours at the coffee bar. Proceeds from this fund are used to pay all expenses related to the production of this series such as musician’s performance fees, rent, utilities, and equipment related expenses (sound, lighting, etc.) For the past two years, the Front Porch Coffee Bar has funded expense shortages for this series.

The outdoor concert series has become a popular and well attended event by Saluda residents and visitors. To continue the outdoor concerts series with the same quality of entertainers that you expect, will require a 65% increase in contributions to the “Concert Fund” before the series ends September 30.

We appreciate all of the support from the community for the past two years to keep this series going. If you feel this type of entertainment is of value to you and Saluda, we respectfully encourage you to help us grow the "Concert Fund" through your contributions and sponsorships. Contributions can be made at the coffee bar or mail to Frank & Amy's Place, PO Box 112, Saluda, NC 28773.

Respectfully,
Frank and Amy Beeson

Saluda Police Chief Tonya Lindsey invites residents to come by and see the newly decorated police offices. She would also like for the community to be aware of the constant vandalism to the public restrooms. This destruction is frustrating for city workers who have to clean and repair the damage and costly to the citizens of Saluda. Please be alert for people lingering around McCreery Park past 10:00pm who may have wrongful intentions and report it to the Saluda Police Department.

Notice of Public Hearing on Request for Annexation The public will take notice that the Board of Commissioners of the City of Saluda has called a public hearing at 6:00pm on Monday, August 14, 2006 at the Saluda Public Library on the question of annexing the following described territory, requested by petition filed pursuant to G.S. 160A-31.

The area to be annexed is contiguous to the City of Saluda and described in survey plat as follows:

A tract or parcel of land containing 1.68 acres, as shown and delineated in attached plat entitle “Robert F. and Linda H. Whitaker, Tenants in Common” in Saluda Township, Polk County, N.C. Legal Reference DB 206-410, dated July 3, 2006, prepared by Butler Associates, 10 Maple St., Tryon, NC 28782. Said plat will be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds, for Polk County, NC with the office of Feagan and Foster attorneys, 109 Walker St., Columbus, NC handling and recording. Upon completion of recording, full metes and bounds description and Register of Deeds recording page number of the said tract will be available.

Petition and Map will be on file with the City Clerk for public inspection.