Frost on the pumpkin

JONATHAN CHARLES FOX
Posted 10/4/17

I’m feeling conflicted. On one hand, I love this time of year and the multitude of harvest festivals, hay rides and haunted houses celebrating the bounty of life-in-the-country good times. On …

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Frost on the pumpkin

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I’m feeling conflicted. On one hand, I love this time of year and the multitude of harvest festivals, hay rides and haunted houses celebrating the bounty of life-in-the-country good times. On the other hand, I’m dreading winter, knowing there will be days of feeling isolated and cut off from the outside world. Both Dharma and I are dealing with some health issues, and I’m told that the cold weather could make things more difficult, so I’m putting one foot in front of the other, albeit with a touch of trepidation. Meanwhile there was indeed frost on the pumpkin this morning as I coaxed the dog into a brisk early morning stroll. The thermometer read 33° (near 90° a few short days ago). and I could see my breath, which in turn took my breath away.

On one hand, I don’t want to get ahead of myself, since autumn is my favorite time of year, and I’m hoping for a breathtaking display of fall foliage, one of the many splendors that we who call the Upper Delaware River region home look forward to each fall. On the other hand, the falling leaves of red and gold are far too fleeting, heralding an onslaught of white stuff that might also be gorgeous, but… I’m conflicted.

It is my desire to “live in the moment” and chronicle the beauty that surrounds, so with camera in hand, I’m making my list and forging ahead, determined to be present and enjoy the plethora of autumnal events that await. I’ve said it before, and will likely say it again, for the benefit of those who think that “there is nothing to do” in our neck of the woods. Well, they are clearly not checking The River Reporter calendar of events. With no fewer than 20 events scheduled over the next 14 days, it’s clear that I will have to make some difficult choices, since each deserves attention. Saturday is conflict number one, with the fourth annual Callicoon Art Walk kicking off at 12 noon. It promises to “showcase the vibrant local art community,” which includes “their work being displayed in shops and restaurants, live music on Main Street and the first annual Callicoon ‘Short Shorts’ Film Festival,” along with free art-making workshops geared to adults and kids.

Good times, to be sure, but Dharma and I will be on the other side of the county, hosting The River Reporter photo booth from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Barryville’s Pumpkinfest. It takes place on the beautiful grounds of The Carriage House, where the bridge to Shohola connecting New York and Pennsylvania spans our precious river. More live music, including legendary blues powerhouse Slam Allen, will fill the crisp air as pie contests, scarecrow making, costumed revelers and pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins round out the day. Be sure to stop by and “smile for the camera” as I attempt to capture photos of the day for your scrapbooks.

Speaking of Shohola, the Barryville Arts Association will be simultaneously presenting (conflict number two) “A Celebration of Cinematic Art” on the other side of the river, at the Artists Market Community Center, with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Some of you might want to consider attending both, while I try to catch my breath in between snapshots and tasting pies.

Glancing at the fresh page on my calendar, I see a fund- raiser for “Pets Alive,” starring inimitable songstress Patti Greco Sunshine, slated for the 14th of the month at the Forestburgh Tavern, which is conflict number three, as I will be attending the fourth annual “Grown Here Farm-to-Table Experience” at the same time in Circleville, NY. Not to be outdone by the fabulous fare available prior to Patti taking the stage at the tavern, the Boys and Girls Club fundraiser will present an incredible four-course meal composed solely of locally sourced edible delights, paired with an auction of “rare and unique wines” that folks look forward to each year. In-between sips and bites, we’ll be listening to one of my favorite bands,“Somerville,” and taking more pics while making decisions over future October conflicts. These include (but are not limited to) the Bethel Youth Halloween Parade, and the hotly anticipated production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” live on stage, back at Forestburgh Tavern.

Yep, I’m conflicted. While frost on the pumpkin ushers in the onset of winter, it’s also just the beginning of a month-long celebration of fall festivities that simply cannot be beat. IMHO.

Have an event to share? Email events@riverreporter.com at least 10 days in advance, please. For more information on these and other autumnal destinations, browse through our Currents section or visit www.riverreporter.com.

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