Our online October calendar is topped with a photo of a gorgeous September sunset reflecting in the pond at May Watts Park. Find it at www.positivelynaperville.com under “sunrise, sunset” where you can link to a long list of attractive seasonal events and other photos of brilliant twilights and sensational sunrises.
Once again, autumn creates a landscape in luscious shades of yellow, red and orange for leaf peepers to enjoy. Everyone is encouraged to take time to unplug and experience nature before every leaf sails to the ground.
That said, a couple of images created in American literature remind us that appreciating autumn is nothing new.
“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion,” wrote Henry David Thoreau in 1854.
“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house,” wrote Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1842.
Moving right along, October also is Public Safety Month, a time get to know first responders who serve to keep us safe and sound. The Naperville Police and Fire Departments again will be partnering for prevention during their annual Public Safety Open House from 11AM to 2PM on Sat., Oct. 14.
While children (and the young at heart) are thinking about the thrills of Halloween, many activities for the haunted holiday are planned in advance of door-to-door trick-or-treating in your neighborhood on Oct. 31. Again, check out PN’s online October calendar for updates.
Economics of the season
Our thoughts also turn to the economics of the season, as they often do, when local businesses welcome support and many events fill the calendar vying for attendance, including the Regional Economic Forecast, hosted this year on Oct. 19 in Hotel Arista at CityGate Centre.
What’s ahead for Naperville? What’s ahead for Illinois? And what’s ahead for America?
For starters, consider Halloween. According to the National Retail Federation, shoppers aim for value—and Halloween delivers. Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $9.1 billion this year, with more than 179 million Americans participating, up from $8.4 billion in 2016 when 171 million spent money on seasonal goods such as costumes, candy, pumpkins, home decorations and admission to seasonal events.
Yet, we wonder how anyone can forecast a certain future with the unexpected challenges we observe now.
The other day we reread a number of news stories written in October 2016. Many of last year’s election projections completely missed the boat.
At any rate, holding liberty and prosperity most dear, we remained hopeful when we reread selected words written by British poet Lord Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892). In his poem “Locksley Hall,” written more than 180 years ago, he described a vision that could have been written on this autumn day.
For I dipt into the future, far as human eye could see,
Saw the Vision of the world and all the wonders that would be;
Saw the heavens fill with commerce, argosies of magic sails,
Pilots of the purple twilight, dropping down with costly bales.
Hurricane season
Autumn is also the season when most hurricanes occur, and this year will long be marked by the horrific devastation caused by Harvey, Irma and Maria along the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, Florida, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in the North Atlantic.
Help rebuild their local economies by funding hurricane relief efforts when you can. Blood donations, especially 0+ and O-, are needed, too.
Thanks for thinking and reading. Enjoy the sunsets. Celebrate safely.
We’re counting our blessings for all first responders and all who serve. Grace and peace.
