There is something relaxing about strolling through a pine woods on a fall day. The fallen brown pine needles make a soft carpet that silences each step.

The only sound is the sigh of the tree limbs overhead. In the shadows, I glimpse an occasional squirrel scamper from tree trunk to tree trunk.

With each breath there is a whiff of holidays and decorations soon to come. 

But a question comes to mind. What do you call these fallen pine needles?

I grew up calling them pine tags, but I have since learned that most folks from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Tidewater call them pine shadows.

Further investigation found colloquial dialect also saying pine shatters or pine shats. Then someone said that it is pine shadders.   

I understand the term shatters because once fallen pine needles age and decay, they do shatter.

How does the word shadows come into the picture? 

Home and garden stores sell pine straw, simply baled fallen pine needles.

Best way to get that good mulch is to take an old burlap bag and go to the pine woods.

Bend down, scoop those fresh brown needles into your bag, toss it over your shoulder, and you have your best pine straw mulch for free.

Community Communiqué

The Prospect Volunteer Fire Department’s 55th Annual Harvest Sale has been postponed to Saturday, Nov. 7. Donations and consignments will be accepted until the new date.

The bake sale is 7 a.m. until with the yard sale running from 7 a.m. until noon.

The auction will begin at 1 p.m.

Food will be served all day, with the BBQ supper beginning at 4 p.m. Please call 547-8830 or 574-6625 for more information or to have donated items picked up.

Everyone is invited to sell or shop in the Bi-Annual Twice Is Nice Children’s Consignment Sale sponsored by the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.  Consignors may shop on Thursday evening and the general public may shop all day Friday and on Saturday morning.

The Pamplin Area Legacy Supporters (PALS) is hosting an artist reception on Friday, Oct. 23, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for Amy Eason, whose works are currently on display in the Pamplin Depot Community Room.

Light refreshments will be served.

Farm Use String Band will provide a Harvest Dance at the Pamplin Depot freight Room on Halloween, October 31, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. (dinner at 6 p.m. with music at 6:30 p.m.).

The meal will include a variety of tasty fall favorites along with a drink and dessert for just $5.

The music and fun are free.

There is no November dance due to a depot scheduling conflict.

The annual PALS sponsored Making More Connections: Art Show and Sale and the Chili Cook-Off is set for Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pamplin Depot. 

Kenneth and Bettye Brisentine spent the weekend of September 25-27 with their daughter Sheri Hicks, of High sPoint, N.C.

Laurie Justus spent Monday and Tuesday night with Hilda Allen.

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

Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Carolyn Cardwell Wood.

“I understood at a very early age that in nature, I felt everything I should feel in church but never did. Walking in the woods, I felt in touch with the universe and with the spirit of the universe.” -— Alice Walker

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

EDWINA COVINGTON is a retired teacher and columnist for Elam. Her email is ecovington@centurylink.net.