“I gave my heart to the mountains the minute I stood beside this river with its spray in my face and watched it thunder into foam, smooth to green glass over sunken rocks, shatter to foam again. I was fascinated by how it sped by and yet was always there; its roar shook both the earth and me.”

~ Wallace Stegner

A dry week brings rustling leaves scattering down side streets and Saluda paths, the elusive scent of apples tickles the senses, and bright pumpkins alongside decorative gourds appear at roadside market stands. The Green River winds, rushes and roars her green glass secrets nearby. Downtown, the sidewalk project gets finished up on Main Street. The Purple Onion will be glad, along with our other merchants who depend on fall visitors.

Fountains of goldenrod and a cropping of fall flowers blanket roadsides on the way into town, as I head home in The Turtle with a whole chicken (not a squawking one) and bag of rice to cook up for River, who hasn’t been feeling up to par. I tell the cashier at the store that the chicken’s for my dog; her smile crinkles in understanding.

Down at the dog park, I advise a friend to make marrow bone broth for her ailing dog, along with a few other tips. Chicken and rice for dinner, at least for River. This time of year, that does sound pretty good! Maybe he’ll share…

Saluda Tailgate Market is open on Fridays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street. You’ll find autumn produce in jewel colors, plants, baked and canned goods plus more.

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday, and dinner is served from 5:30 -6:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All are welcome; donations accepted.

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) has “Walks in the Woods” on the first and third Sundays each month. For information on hikes, contact Chuck Hearon at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit saludasclt.org to learn more about our local land trust.

Saluda Historic Depot is located at 32 West Main Street and will have extended hours in mid-September, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Saluda Train Tales are held on the third Friday each month at 7 p.m. through October.

Art Notes: the annual Art Trek open studio tour is this weekend, Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, with a gallery show of all participating artists, preview party/reception from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 29 at Upstairs Artspace, 49 S. Trade Street, Tryon. Saluda artists will be Bonnie Bardos and Doc Welty. Looks like a good weekend to get out and enjoy the arts and local scenery!

Saluda Living in Place (SLIP), aimed at helping seniors stay in their homes as they age, will sponsor free health screenings, refreshments, and information from different agencies on Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Saluda Fire Department on Greenville Street. For information or if you need transportation, contact Edie Campbell at 828-243-0734 or becampbell@charter.net by Oct. 9.

Happy September Birthday to Wayne Thompson, Courtney Hoots, Merci Weitzen, Dale McEntire, Joni Rauschenbach, Sonya Monts, Linda Kaye Hayes, Carol Kenfield, Debbie Fisher, Leslie Jespersen, Linda Mintz, Sheila Billeter, Cary Pace, Ross Arrington, Hop Foster, Chuck Hearon, Alexia Timberlake, Jason Justus, Beth Carson, Clark Thompson, Nicholas Edwards, Cindy Tuttle, and Don Clapp.  Add your birthday to the list! Just email or call me—no ages mentioned unless you’re under 2 or over 100!

Thank you, dear readers, for reading this column. You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, 828-749-1153, or bonniebardosart.com.