"I cannot endure to waste anything so precious 
as autumnal sunshine 
by staying inside."
Nathaniel Hawthorne
 

The weather has been so fickle lately, and many mornings I wake up to a thick fog blanketing our picnic table, or the sky is filled with wispy, pink clouds.  Some afternoons I am still walking around wearing a fleece jacket when my daughter and I go to the grocery store, and other afternoons I feel as though it’s the middle of July, and I change into my favorite, pale, purple, short sleeve seersucker. 
 
Evenings are a whole different story though.  If you haven’t noticed, the sun has started setting before 7 p.m., and it saddens my weary heart to know that we are losing daylight so quickly now.  In one month, the sun will set soon after 6:10 p.m.  The crickets don’t seem to mind though, and continue to delight me with their chirping.  I may not be able to see them as the sun sets, but I can hear them singing throughout the night. 
 
One of the most obvious signs that autumn is upon us, are the myriad farm stands that seem to appear overnight.  Many of them rival Hallmark movie sets, with their massive pumpkins, totes of Honey Crisp apples, and my favorite apple cider donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar. 
 
Hanging on my living room wall, along with other beloved pastel paintings that I created throughout the years is a treasured scene of my granddaughter, Haley.  She has a little white bow in her hair, is wearing a blue frock, a white shirt, and is holding an apple in her hand.  She has just taken a bite of a juicy red McIntosh apple.  There is a winding, dirt path that leads to a lush apple grove in the distance.  An overflowing basket of apples sits in the foreground, just waiting to be baked into fragrant, apple pies.  When I think of autumn, this is one of my most precious memories.
 
Come to “Garden Storytime,” The Newburgh Town Branch is hosting an Off-Site Library Event, on Wednesday, October 1, from 10 -10:30 a.m., to be held at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center Community Garden, 321 S. William St., Newburgh.  Join Stephanie for a story time, for children ages 2- 4 years.  Register for a reminder email.  *Weather permitting.  Call 845-245-4750.
 
Town of Newburgh Recreation Department, Little Pumpkin Picasso’s invite you to come on out and paint some pumpkins!  This event is for children, ages 4 to 10 years.  They supply the pumpkins, paint, and snacks.  Parents are welcome.  Pre-registration is required.  Pre-register online at townofnewburgh.recdesk.com.
 Please register for only one session!  October 1, from 5 to 5:45 p.m., or 6 to 6:45 p.m., at the Recreation Department.  The fee is $8.  Phone: (845) 564-7815.