By Bonnie J. Bardos

No wind, no bird. The river flames like brass.

On either side, smitten as with a spell

Of silence, brood the fields. In the deep grass,

Edging the dusty roads, lie as they fell

Handfuls of shriveled leaves from tree and bush.

But ’long the orchard fence and at the gate,

Thrusting their saffron torches through the hush,

Wild lilies blaze, and bees hum soon and late.

Rust-colored the tall straggling briar, not one

Rose left. The spider sets its loom up there

Close to the roots, and spins out in the sun

A silken web from twig to twig. The air

Is full of hot rank scents. Upon the hill

Drifts the noon’s single cloud, white, glaring, still.

 

~ Lizette Woodworth Reese, “August”

 

Another warm summer afternoon found me down with tote bag in hand, shopping at our Saluda tailgate market as breezes and sun played over mounds of new-crop apples, greens and bright vegetables. You can’t possibly make it through the market without stopping to chat, hug, or smile a few dozen times, so it’s always a social occasion as well as farm market. Loading up goodies for Friday night supper, I found lush dark red cherry tomatoes, fresh-cut okra, local-raised beef for the grill, ears of plump sweet corn and more.

 

Hearing my name called, I headed to local beekeeper Carl McGraw’s booth to taste his new-season sourwood honey. Carl knows me too well. The bait worked, and the honey was delicious! Someone else came up, and I (being the inquisitive, or should we say, nosy, sort) couldn’t help but overhear him telling the woman that he takes all of his fresh eggs to the homeless shelter in Hendersonville.

 

Now, here I am, in the local newspaper, telling Carl’s secret, which I guess is no longer a secret, but I found myself touched that he’d drive all the way from Saluda to take those lovely eggs to help others in need. He was pretty humble about it all—as if it were no big deal, with a little smile on his face and a twinkle in those eyes. There’s people around here that do those kind of things, gladly and with kindness, not expecting one word of thanks, or any sort of pay back. Good eggs. Good eggs, I tell you.

 

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

 

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

 

There’ll be a community potluck and bingo evening at Saluda Center, Aug. 31, 6 p.m. Bring a friend and a favorite dish to share.

 

Saluda School has started this week, so please be careful around those big yellow dragons rumbling on the road! Box top collection boxes are at the library, post office, and school. Welcome back to teachers and students.

 

Mark your calendar for the Charlie Ward Memorial Pig Out, Sept. 12, 5-7 p.m. at McCreery Park with music by Mountain Roots Band with Jeff Hayes. If you’d like to donate, please make your check payable to Saluda Pig Out and take it to Macon Bank, 108 Main Street, or give to Judy Ward at Thompson’s Store, or mail to Saluda Pig Out, P.O. Box 265, Saluda, NC 28773.

 

Happy August birthday to B.J. Kent, Linda Kaye Haynes, Paul Stoney, Jen Pace, Zack Pace, Don Mintz, Caroline Tindal, Nora Ward, Samantha Ward, Reeda Ward, Natalie Aabye, Verlie Murphy, Peter Eisenbrown, Coleman Bradley, and Ryan Bradley. Please add your birthday to the list; the more the merrier!

 

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. It’s my goal to make you feel like you’re enjoying a front porch visit and a glass of cool tea in a small town called Saluda. If you have something of note or a birthday to add to the list, feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, or 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com or find me on Facebook.

 

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