The Way I See It
As October rolls along, I’m seeing things more and more dimly—especially in the evenings. It’s always annoyed me that, just as we can finally step outside once again without gasping in the heat, the world I’m eager to step back into is—well, dark. I don’t like to start my “evenings” at 4:30 p.m., but soon that’s as late as I’ll want to commence the evening dog walk. I live in a somewhat rural area; there are no sidewalks or streetlights. So—safety demands an earlier walk, and I’ll comply. But I won’t like it.
There are many things I do like about fall, though—crisp air; heather-tone leaves; cooler temps; the last blooms in my garden—goldenrod, frost asters, a single Stella d’Oro lily, a self-seeded tiny white begonia. I’ll enjoy resurfacing a few favorite sweaters I packed away months ago. There’s also the prospect of some upcoming major holidays with their attendant get-togethers. I’m looking forward to this year’s more than ever, given last year’s sparse gatherings. Fingers crossed the COVID counts are down.
One of those holidays—Halloween—is nearly upon us and features in many of this issue’s columns. We’ve got everything from scary movies to 2021’s go-to costumes to a roundup of local festivities. There are treats galore awaiting you in these pages, and no tricks—beyond the crossword, anyway.
But it’s not all about Halloween—check out Before the Beach for Michael Gilles’s interview with someone new to our area, and Sporty Gals for a story on the Blue Herons—our State Senior Olympics Softball Champs! Karen Laitman tells us about the Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding program, located in Milton. CAMP Rehoboth Outreach Program volunteers help at the program’s facilities on occasion; it’s easy to see why they enjoy doing so. And Fay fills us in on the delights that await at The Top of The Pines’ Drag Brunch.
Speaking of drag—stop by Ann Aptaker’s column, Historical Headliners, and meet William Dorsey Swann. A one-time slave, Dorsey organized America’s first drag balls, beginning around 1880, in DC. Take a moment to celebrate him as you choose your festive finery this season; as you’ll read, he was about way more than just the costumes.
There’s entertainment news in these pages, too—art exhibits, theatre performances, concerts, films—the cautious optimism inherent in these listings is another thing I’m welcoming this fall. I love the great outdoors and am deeply grateful I could spend so much time there last year when other venues were shuttered. But this year, I’m hoping to enjoy some indoor fun, too. Of course, I’ll keep my mask handy and follow whatever safe practices are required; I just got my COVID booster and flu vaccination. I hope to see you out-and-about, too, whether on the trail or in a gallery or concert hall.
Happy Halloween!