“Now constantly there is the sound,

quieter than rain,

of the leaves falling.

Under their loosening bright

gold, the sycamore limbs

bleach whiter.

Now the only flowers

are beeweed and aster, spray

of their white and lavender

over the brown leaves.”

~ Wendell Berry, excerpt from “October 10”

Leaves skitter and scatter along Saluda streets as trees dance in scarlet, gold, plum amid still-green foliage. Walking River toward the dog park, I have to steer my one-eyed boy carefully to avoid countless glass shards along the way. The ears start to steam and the dander rises as we pick our way through the wreckage that someone thought was funny.

The same thugs stole a chair from my curbside, left out for someone to take if they could use it. The varmints dumped it in the woods, heaved a heavy rock on it, busting the legs, so no one could use it, then threw large rocks into the road in the mayhem of bottle busting frenzy. So, for the past few days, I’ve taken along a small broom, bag and dust pan, thoroughly heaping sizzling incantations upon the heads of the guilty, futilely cleaning up more shards bit by bit, moving rocks from the street so no one busts their car.

Fretting about tender paws, cars and flat tires gets in the way of enjoying simple walks. Today, I drove the truck with a low tire over to C & D Auto, asked Curt to check it, and in the end, drove away with an inflated tire, a smile, with someone’s kindness tucked in my heart. It’s those kind of folks that bring a smile, not steam out the ears! 

Saluda Tailgate Market is open on Fridays through October 28 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.

A dance/music/friendship fundraiser to benefit the old St. Matthews Church on Irving Street (now used for Saluda Community Choir and other artistic endeavors) will be October 16, 5-9 p.m. at McCreery Park’s pavilion. Funds raised go toward repairs, maintenance and utilities.

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. The next walk is October 16 to Waters of Camp Creek. Meet at Saluda library, 2 p.m. for carpooling. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit their website at saludaclt.org for more information.

Saluda Train Tales are held at Saluda Historic Depot (HistoricSaluda.org) on the third Friday each month through October. Stoker on Stoker and Modern Mysteries will be October 15, 7 p.m. and October 16 at 1 p.m. The Depot is open Thursday through Sunday, noon-4 p.m.

Ward’s Grill will have a free Veterans’ Breakfast on October 20 until 11.

Saluda Railroad Day is October 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in downtown Saluda.

The City of Saluda and Saluda bsinesses will host a Halloween Stroll on Main Street, October 28, 3-6 p.m. Our police department will be on hand to help make this a safe and fun event for families!  

Saluda Center Potluck and Bingo is October 31, 6 p.m. 

Saluda United Methodist Church’s annual turkey dinner is November 12, 5-7 p.m. at Saluda School cafeteria.

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 and Susan Wheeler.

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 watching sparkling spider webs, fall butterflies and drifting leaves. 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.