By Bonnie J. Bardos

“…The leaves turn gold in the calendar’s rotisserie, giving up their green, and the burning bushes have ignited, struck their book of matches. It’s enough to make the heart break, isn’t it? We keep going down the one road, there’s no turning back.”

~ Barbara Crooker, excerpt from “Now” from Small Rain

 

Last week I wrote about a copperhead that River dog and I discovered on our morning walkabout. This week the hit and run victim o’ the day was Squirrel Nutkin, right in front of my mailbox. He’d just met up with some passing car, because those naughty round eyes were still shiny, his furry tail moving in the breeze.

 

For a hopeful minute, I thought the wind was just knocked out of his sails and he’d leap up, bouncing back to stealing my just-planted bulbs. Picking him up by the tail, there was no squirming or protest, so I got him out of the road before cars and trucks could flatten him into a squirrel pancake. It just seemed kinder than leaving him.

 

So, dear reader, I buried the little guy under a pink rose bush, laying a horse chestnut and yellow chrysanthemum on top, wishing him happy bulb-thieving in the afterlife. Luckily I got him taken care of right on time, because as I added a cover of pine needles, a FedEx truck roared up, right in front of the mailbox where the accident had occurred. I’d just finished the burial service, so no body was to be found. I’m sure his cousins, brothers and sisters are already digging up those bulbs of mine right this minute.

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street and continues through October.

 

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

 

Keep up with Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. The next ‘Walks in the Woods’ will be Oct. 19 with a hike to the waters of Camp Creek. Contact Chuck Hearon for more information at 828-817-0364, 749-9886 or chearon@skyrunner.net.

 

At the Historical Saluda Depot, there’ll be a book signing with NY Times bestseller Dacre Stoker, Oct. 31, 1 p.m. with presentations later in the day (tickets available). Dale McEntire will be the Depot’s featured artist this month. “Saluda Train Tales” will be with Larry Morton, president of the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.

Artists’ Autumn Fair was rescheduled due to rain; it will be at Nostalgia Courtyard on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saluda’s Fall Harvest Festival is October 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. downtown Saluda, and is a fundraiser for Pace Park. Come spend a pleasant day in town and enjoy!

Saluda Center Community Potluck and Bingo is Oct. 26 at 6 p.m.

The City of Saluda and Saluda businesses will host a Halloween Stroll on Main Street, Oct. 30 from 3-6 p.m.  Our police department will be on hand to help make this a safe and fun event for families!

The City of Saluda will hold an Open House on Nov. 7 from 2-4 p.m. This will be a great chance to take a look at all the renovations. Our new city clerk is Robert O’Dell.

Mark those calendars and get your tickets now for Saluda United Methodist Church’s annual turkey dinner Nov. 14, 5-7 p.m. at Saluda School cafeteria.

Don’t forget to collect box tops for Saluda School! Collection containers are located at Saluda Library, Saluda Post Office, and Saluda School office.

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, and Dean Bradley. Please add your birthday to the list!

 

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. It’s my goal to make you feel as if you were enjoying a ‘Saluda Time’ visit on the front porch swing enjoying golden October mornings. Please feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153. You may also visit bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.