Hello Autumn

A few weeks ago we were saying goodbye to summer. School had started. Summer vacations had concluded. It was an in-between time to look back at a full season of outdoor events and activities. Now, fall is settling in. We have months of cold weather ahead and the signs are all around. Many birds that migrate south over winter have left. The low-flying barn swallows begin their migration when the temperature drops. The honking of Canada geese is a familiar fall sound in the Northwest Corner hills. The bright-colored goldfinch has left. Some of our townspeople also migrate south as snowbirds.

Students have settled into school, and for some midterms are already here. Fall sports are geared up for turf battles between schools. Many parents are in the throes of the soccer travel challenge. Some sports have begun to move indoors. 

Homeowners are debating when to bring in the outdoor furniture — if at all — and some have mowed the lawn for the last time. Others are busy with another seasonal ritual: raking leaves. Or not.

Inside, the furnace has fired up. Or not. Some hapless homeowners have to call for service because the furnace didn’t work on the first fall temperature test. 

Once the house warms up, it becomes a draw for all the mice seeking shelter and food for the winter ahead. These pointy-nosed invaders are highly successful with their annual migration into our historic, Colonial-era homes. Just another sign of the season. 

Every fall New England becomes a destination for leaf peepers, but this year the fall colors may be less pronounced, according to the experts. A major factor was the wet summer season. The National Weather Service reported that Litchfield County’s summer rainfall was double the normal amount. Rain dilutes the sugars in the leaves, affecting the hues.  Cold nights help trigger the  changeover, but many nights have only seen temps in the forties. We’re at the end of the third week in October, when the color change is typically in peak range, and professional photographers and leaf watchers are scrambling to capture and witness fall foliage in all its boldness and glory.

Black bears are stocking up for a long winter’s hibernation that typically starts around Thanksgiving. Now, they can be seen everywhere, of course. 

Another ubiquitous sign of the fall season can be found on front lawns and roadsides throughout the Northwest Corner: campaign placards. Tuesday, Nov. 7 is Election Day, and this election cycle will see contested races for selectman in Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, North Canaan, and Salisbury. Throughout October, profiles on participating candidates are published in The Lakeville Journal in our ‘Meet the candidates’ series.  This week, read about candidates in North Canaan and Sharon on page A8 and A9.

Latest News

Libraries face federal funding reductions

KENT, Conn. — The effects of federal cutbacks are beginning to trickle down to the local level. Last week, area librarians were alarmed to learn that programs important to rural populations, such as the interlibrary loan service provided through Connecticut State Library, were abruptly defunded effective April 1.

The Connecticut State Library was notified by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, which oversees grants to states, that its 2024-25 federal grant award was terminated. The grant was scheduled to cover the current federal fiscal year ending Sept. 30.

Keep ReadingShow less
Legal Notices - April 24, 2025

Legal Notice

Amenia Drugs NY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/12/2025. Office: Dutchess County. Hema Patel, designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Hema Patel at 5094 Route 22 #48, Amenia, NY, US, 12501. Purpose: Retail Pharmacy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Classifieds - April 24, 2025

Help Wanted

Experienced horse equestrian: to train three-year-old white Persian Mare for trail riding. 860-67-0499.

Help wanted: Small Angus Farm seeks reliable help for cattle and horses. Duties include feeding, fence repair, machine repair. Will train the right person. 860-671-0499.

Keep ReadingShow less