Letter from the editor
The leaves are now an array of brilliant reds, yellows and oranges, and lately, I find myself noticing them everywhere. Driving from one place to the next or walking around the neighborhood, I often spot a tree that seems even prettier than it was yesterday.
As much as I love warm weather and fantasize about having it year round, I don’t think I could ever leave the Northeast. The fall foliage and the rhythm of the changing seasons mean too much to me. That familiar cycle gives shape to the year and, in a way, direction to my life. Each season brings its own traditions, memories and things to look forward to.
Of course, I still have a hard time saying goodbye to summer. Give me a beach chair, sunshine and a warm ocean breeze, and I am happy. But there is something cozy and inviting about a crisp fall afternoon that makes me want to pull on a sweatshirt and head outside.
As we turn our calendars to November, more leaves will fall, gathering in our yards and along the sidewalks. I have always enjoyed walking through them and hearing that familiar crunch underfoot. It is one of those simple pleasures that feels just as good now as it did when I was a child.
Some of my favorite places to enjoy the season are right here in our own communities. The bike path running from Northfield to Somers Point offers a lovely view of autumn, with splashes of color along the way.
Birch Grove Park in Northfield is another favorite of mine. Its wooded trails, ponds and covered bridge provide a beautiful backdrop for the season. There is something peaceful about seeing the colorful trees reflected in the water. A walk there can feel like a little getaway, without packing a bag or spending a dime.
I also love Atlantic County Park in Estell Manor, where trails and a boardwalk wind through the trees. Some fascinating history meets you along the way, with remnants of the Bethlehem Loading Company, which produced munitions during World War I. Walking there, I find myself thinking about how different this same place must have looked more than a century ago.
One of the things I love most about living here is that every season gives us another reason to appreciate home. The places we know so well take on a different look, and familiar views become beautiful in a whole new way.
Summer may always have my heart, but autumn certainly knows how to get my attention.
Peace & Love, Cindy
