The lingering warmth of Indian Summer means a hum of activity in our town, from picking the ripest Macoun in the orchard to eating the best pulled pork at the Lions Club Fall Festival. Shoppers are enjoying local bounty at the new farmers’ market, and the town looks forward to the launch of some interesting performances in the newly restored Volunteers’ Hall at the library. Those who have the ambition will run ten miles in the Apple Harvest Road Race this weekend.

Frost on the pumpkin isn’t far away, however. After the autumnal equinox on Sunday, staying inside will gain more appeal as the days get shorter and we go downstairs to retrieve the old wool sweater. Before the inaugural lighting of the wood stove, though, we can gather in front of old Bromfield one more time to find a bargain at the flea market, join our Bromfield classmates for a 20th class reunion, or light the season’s last bonfire in the backyard.