“I was always a lover of soft-winged things.”

~ Victor Hugo

Tiny birds flit through October afternoons along with the last dance of tangerine-bright Monarchs that linger one last day. 

Jack Frost paid a visit to Saluda this week, his signature thin white whisper over low spots, shadowed roof tops, so now it’s time for many soft-winged things to disappear … and smoke to rise from chimneys.

Along wide-stretched cornfields, a silent steel harvester lurks like a huge grasshopper. As ever, the bristled stubs of corn stalks embroidered in low-flung fields fringed by peaceful trees and mountain blue, a solitary hawk rising on the afternoon light bring a sense of reverence. I long to walk those fields, weathered-blue Maxwell House coffee can in hand, to hunt for arrowheads, the fall sunshine warming my back.

Saluda Tailgate Market is open this Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street. This is the last market for the season so come out to support our local vendors and thank the tireless volunteers! A special holiday market will be held on Saturday, Nov. 25, 1-3 p.m. with local crafts as well as local agricultural products and foods.

Saluda Welcome Table is each Tuesday at Saluda Methodist Church from 5:30-6:45 p.m. Everyone welcome; donations appreciated. Last Tuesday’s meal was Pad Thai, prepared by Brian Prudhomme, Marilyn and Dave’s son. Every week, it’s something delicious!

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) needs volunteers for grant research/writing, office assistance, publicity/newsletter as well as outdoor fieldwork/trail clearing or monitoring easements, GPS, and photography. Donations are always welcome. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org. 

Saluda Historic Depot is located at 32 West Main Street. The museum hours are Monday- Saturday from 10 a.m. -5 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. You can learn more at saludahistoricdepot.com.

Saluda Center Potluck and Bingo night is Oct. 30, 6 p.m. Bring a favorite dish to share!

Saluda Family Medicine with Dr. Lisa Broyles MD, CFMP, a holistic family physician, opens Nov. 1 at 1347 Ozone Drive.

Mark your calendars for the annual Saluda United Methodist Church’s Turkey Dinner, 5-7 p.m., Nov. 11 at Saluda School Cafeteria. Tickets are available through church members or at the door.

The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration’s Third Annual Holiday Bazaar is Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Parish Hall, 72 Charles Street.

Don’t forget to save those specially marked hot-pink box tops for Saluda School. Each one is worth 10 cents. Money raised is used to purchase books for the Books Are Really Fun program. Every student gets to choose and keep three to five free books each year! 

Saluda Get-Well Wishes go to Mary Ann Asbill and Rita Igoe.

Saluda Garden Tip: It is that time of year when leaves fall from trees. Instead of burning or raking to the curb, it’s even better to pile them in a leaf bin (chicken wire works well) and let leaves slowly decompose to black organic ‘gold’ for your yard plants next year. Don’t forget to keep fresh water out on cold days for birds.

Happy October Birthday to Cissy Thompson, Patricia Case, Joan Barker, Gary Corn, Aaron Bradley, Amanda Burrell Anderson, Lisa Orr, Marilyn Prudhomme, Bubba Dawson, Kirby Jackson, Mary Ann Asbill, Sheila Billeter, Carol Thompson, Mildred Hipp, Dean Bradley, Susan Wheeler, and Brenda Craig. Add your birthday to the list. Just email or call me—it’s a promise that no ages mentioned unless you’re under 2 or over 100! Thank you to those who help keep birthdays and names updated, with extra thanks to Elizabeth Justus this week—I need all the help I can get!

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