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Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

The first full week of September brings buckets of rain with buckets of mosquitoes to follow. I gingerly goose-step through the mushy garden, tossing environmentally-friendly mosquito dunks in birdbaths, ponds, water buckets—no love lost on whining nuisances. 

 

Apples hang heavy on trees, more gilded leaves whisper promises of fall ahead. Crickets fiddle about it. 

 

Inside, I start winnowing through piles of art supplies and clothes to stuff in a small carry-on for an upcoming France trip. It’ll take me two weeks to configure it—sort of like Rubik’s cube. There are several piles on my bed: yes, maybe, no, and “Think some more about that!” 

 

In days of yore, folks traveled in style with huge trunks and suitcases–letting somebody else do the sifting and lifting. These days, it’s a do-it-yourself task and more like running the gauntlet to get anywhere. Not packing any mosquitoes, that’s for sure. 

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is every Friday at the west city parking lot located off Main Street, 4:30-6 p.m. The market is open through October. 

 

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) keeps busy with land conservation, trails, projects and more: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 for information. Support SCLT with donations, volunteering, and Amazon Smile. Contact “Trail Boss” Chuck Hearon at chearon1942@gmail.com about hike info, leading a hike, or helping clear trails. The next Walk in the Woods is to Judd’s Peak on September 18, starting at the remains of Sullivan’s Temple on Chestnut Street and goes to the top of Judd’s Peak and back. The climb to the peak has 85 steps, but the rest of the walk is ‘almost’ level. Meet at Saluda Library parking lot at 2 p.m. 

 

Also, this month, SCLT highlights volunteer Anne Lee, Keeper of the Trust. She views the next five years as critical–as Saluda becomes more popular and populous–and applauds the extensive conservation work of SCLT, which includes the protection of approximately 600 acres. “Building a framework to maintain the rural character of Saluda is vital”, she notes. “If we lose the farmlands, we lose the rural environment, and then we lose the essence of Polk County.” Something for us all to think about. 

 

Need to make a joyful sound? Join the new community chorus “Mountain Song”. Rehearsals start September 12, 6:30-8 p.m. at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street. This is “a joyful choir bringing people together to sing show tunes, pop songs, spirituals, classics and vocal jazz.” Visit www.MountainSong.info for information.

Saluda community table is September 14 and 28 this month at McCreery Park’s pavilion, at 6 p.m. Bring your own plates/cups/utensils. 

Saluda Train Tales will be September 16, 7 p.m. at Saluda Historic Depot and Museum. Mayor of Marion, N.C. Stephen Little will present a historical interpretation of railroad convicts from the N.C. State Penitentiary, mostly Black, who played a large role in conquering the Saluda Grade on through the Swannanoa Gap in the late 1880s. 

Saluda Pop-Up Pantry is Tuesday from 1 to 6 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church, 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). To volunteer at the Pantry, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, at 828-749-9740. You can mail tax-deductible donations to Saluda Pop-Up Pantry, P.O. Box 428, Saluda, NC 28773 or donate online at www.saludapantrycom; or through Amazon Smile.

 

Happy September Birthday to Wayne Thompson, Courtney Hoots, Merci Weitzen, Dale McEntire, Joni Rauschenbach, Linda Kaye Hayes, Carol Kenfield, 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, Don Clapp, and Nancy Pew. Add your birthday to the list!

 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 817-6765, P.O. Box 331, Saluda, NC 28773, Facebook, or visit bonniebardos.com