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“The stars had stopped falling, just the Milky Way up there so crisp, and turning. The fire had died to coals like always and the wind had picked up some the same, aspens clattering back in the grove.”  ~excerpt from “Lucky Turtle” by Bill Roorbach

 

Feather-light amber leaves float along winding back roads as October ribbons into November, while a renegade band of wild turkeys indifferent to the coming season of Thanksgiving peck and amble through tumbled grasses. 

 

These are all hens. The gobbler must be in hiding, I think—smiling at the flock’s lack of concern, the stealthy Prius not upsetting them one bit. Maybe they know they’re safe with me—some strange critter speaking to them about going incognito before turkey day. 

 

It’s been a good autumn for nuts—plump squirrels stay busy running back and forth, hoarding a plentiful crop of acorns, hickory and chestnuts. I slow down for them, too. You never know what you might see besides busy squirrels and turkeys along mountain paths. 

 

Traces of green peer through stained-glass woods, and old October hangs on a little longer, while night stars and planets brighten, waiting. 

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is this Friday at the west city parking lot location off Main Street, 4:30 to 6 p.m. The Winter Market starts in November at Saluda Center. 

 

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 November 6 to Holbert Cove Cabins, with a tour of a 1920s restored log cabin and grounds. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot to carpool at 2 p.m. 

 

Potluck/bingo night at Saluda Center (64 Greenville Street) is on October 31, 6 p.m. 

 

Join SLIP (Saluda Living in Place) to celebrate SLIP’s 5th anniversary on November 11. From 4 to 6 p.m. at Saluda Fire Department, SLIP will have light refreshments and a silent auction featuring donations from local shops and artists. A raffle will be held for one of Anne Jameson’s paintings, “Sunset in the Blue Ridge.” You can contact SLIP at (828) 749-0049 or visit www.slipnc.org. 

 

Congratulations to Lynn Casey! The Saluda Business Association has awarded her the 2022 Cathy Jackson Volunteer of the Year Award. Lynn has served as volunteer executive director of the Saluda Downtown Foundation since 2018, and was instrumental in opening  the Saluda Visitor Center and running its day-to-day operations, oversaw the return of Saluda Arts Festival, and worked with the city to promote new businesses with ribbon cuttings. 

 

Saluda Library is featuring nature-prints by local artist Lori Loftus through November 30. 

Saluda Pop-Up Pantry is Tuesday from 1 to 6 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church, located at 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). To volunteer at the Pantry, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, 828-749-9740. The Pantry has doubled the clients it helps this year and needs your financial support: 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 October Birthday to Cissy Thompson, Riley Thompson, Patricia Case, Gary Corn, Aaron Bradley, Amanda Anderson, Lisa Orr, Marilyn Prudhomme, Bubba Dawson, Kirby Jackson, Mary Ann Asbill, Sheila Billeter, Carol Thompson, Dean Bradley, Susan Wheeler, Brenda Craig, Becky Broadfoot, John Morgan, Bob Whitaker, Bonnie Williamson, Heather Case, Mary Scurry, and Jeanie Bennett. Add your birthday to the list—it’s a long-time promise that no ages will be mentioned unless you’re under 2 or over 100! 

 

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