Waking to a nippy breeze coming in the open window and seeing a foggy haze up the pasture bottom tells me that September has arrived and fall is not far behind. The grass in the yard glistens with a heavy dew that will take a later rising sun to dry.

Yellow walnut leaves ride that cool morning wind. An occasional thud accompanies the leaves as the fallen black walnuts begin to make the lawn a rolling obstacle course.

For some of us, our noses and eyes tell us that ragweed is blooming. On the other end of the seasonal cycle, pokeberries are ripening and the birds are taking advantage by painting everything purple. The honey locust tree is shedding its honey shucks for the squirrels to dine.

If the dry weather has left you any grass to cut, watch out for those devilish little yellow jackets that emerge from the ground and chase you across the yard to deliver a powerful sting.

Need to put on my light jacket. This morning chill and slant of the sun remind me of rising early to unload those tobacco scaffolds and to haul the heavy stalks and leaves to the barn. With that first load I was always wet from the dew covered tobacco and by the second load I was always wet from perspiration of handing up those heavy tobacco laden sticks. Good memories of hard, honest work.

Pamplin

With costs for monitoring, maintenance, and repair of the Pamplin East End Sewer Project soaring well above original projected costs, the town finds itself having to “rob Peter to pay Paul,” explains Mayor Billy Horton, Sr.

Recent repair costs to the treatment plant’s pumps and a few changing of pumps in individual homes has run between $4,000 to $6,000 dollars, draining the town’s Utility Fund and severely stressing the General Fund account.

Horton called an unadvertised emergency session of Town Council on August 24 to advise them of the financial crisis and to ask for their ideas and backing as he pursues available avenues to bolster town revenues. Council will continue discussion at its regular session on September 3.

Horton plans to seek advice from the United States Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, which bonded the East Side project, and from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, which is the proposed backer for the West Side Sewer Project. 

He and Council could also go before the Boards of Supervisors of both Appomattox and Prince Edward counties with an appeal for financial help.

Horton sees raising water/sewer rates as a last resort but not out of the question. 

According to Danny Hylton, engineer for the treatment plant, pump failures are due to a lack of capacity operation with only about 52 active users on the current system.  To reach near capacity and smoother operation would take the addition of the West End Sewer Project. 

Simply put, Pamplin needs more revenue.  With the High Bridge Trail State Park coming to town, Horton hopes that someone will see the value and beauty of the old structures on Main Street and make that initial investment to start the ball rolling for the town’s revitalization. 

“This is my town. I love this town,” says Horton. “I was one of the recipients of the housing project. I want to see Pamplin come back to the way it once was.” 

Community Communiqué

“Allemande left with the corner maid, meet your own and promenade.” Join hands at the free Old Time Dance sponsored by the Farm Use String Band at the Pamplin Depot this Saturday night. The chef’s choice meal for $4 will be served at 6 p.m. and music will begin at 6.30 p.m.

Jimmy Hurt will present a slide show on Farmville postcards at the Farmville-Prince Edward Historical Society meeting in the Farmville Train Station on Tuesday, September 15, at 7 p.m.

Everyone is invited to a fun filled day at Celebrate Pamplin on Saturday, September 19.  The events begin with the Ralph M. Hamlett Memorial 5K Fun Run and Walk at 9 a.m. at the Heights School Road terminus of High Bridge Trail.  Music, a Wild West Show, Cake Walk, and more will begin on Main Street, Pamplin, at noon.

Edith Vaughan has returned from Florida after spending several days with her brother W. A. Price, celebrating his 90th birthday on August 23.

The Bag Ladies Bingo met August 29 at the Prospect fire house.  Their charity this month was the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department.

Laurie Justus spent this past Monday night with Hilda Allen.

Please keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers: Kenneth Brisentine, Dorothy Womack, Betty Jean Bolt, Gary Fiscus, and Vicki White.

Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of William Keith Tinsley and Grace Sheffield Williams.

“The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

If you have any news, call Edwina Covington (574-6576).