“She loved most being in the woods with the diffused light and the quiet there. Such a stillness with just the pecking of ground birds and forest animals, the flutter of wings, the occasional skittering of squirrels playing up and down a tree.” ~ Brad Watson, excerpt from “Miss Jane”

This time of year, the weather starts turning slowly toward fall: big yellow buses begin travels to and from schools, little kids proudly sport new backpacks, the light and shadows changing along the fields and trees, crickets singing a little louder in dry grass, purplish-lavender Joe Pye blooms and gold sunflower faces alight with butterflies, overhead branches encased in gossamer caterpillar wreaths.

Long ago days press forefront into thoughts: remembering muscadine vines cascading with sweet-musky fruit in the forest, summer breezes cooling into evening as sunlight filters through leaves. The heart yearns to be in that peace once again, away from the clatter and cackle of too much, too much in life. It’s more precious, more imperative than ever to keep those places intact, those places with diffused light and quiet where ground birds peck and squirrels skitter, playing.

Saluda Tailgate Market is open on Fridays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street.

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday. Dinner is served from 5:30-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All are welcome; donations accepted.

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) benefits from your donations or time as a volunteer for their many community projects.“Walks in the Woods” are on the first and third Sundays each month. For more information, contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org.

Saluda Train Tales are held at Saluda Historic Depot (HistoricSaluda.org) on the third Friday each month through October. The Depot is open Thursday through Sunday noon-4 p.m.

Saluda Center will have a community potluck and bingo night on August 29, 6 p.m.

August 29 is the first day of school — where did summer go? Watch out for the big yellow dragons on the roads. And please welcome Cari Maneen, our new Saluda School principal!

Top of the Grade concerts wrap up the 2016 season with Aaron Burdett, Sept. 2 from 7-9 p.m. at the Ella Grace Mintz Stage at McCreery Park.

Saluda Living in Place (SLIP), aimed at helping seniors stay in their own homes as they age, is sponsoring free health screenings and free flu shots on Sept. 8, from 8-11 a.m. at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street.

Mark your calendars for the Charlie Ward Memorial Pig Out on Sept. 10, 5-7 p.m. at  McCreery Park.

Happy August Birthday to B.J. Kent, Linda Kaye Haynes, Paul Stoney, Jen Pace, Zack Pace, Don Mintz, Caroline Tindal, Nora Ward, Samantha Ward, Reeda Ward, Natalie Aabye, Verlie Murphy, Peter Eisenbrown, Coleman Bradley and Ryan Bradley. Add your birthday to the list; no ages need be mentioned unless you’re under 2 or over 100!

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column! If you have something of note or a birthday to add to the list, feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardosart.com or find me on Facebook.