Wow, I have never seen more potential jack-o’-lanterns lining the highways and byways of our area. It has to be a record crop for local farmers. There are tall pumpkins, there are fat pumpkins, there are pumpkins of every shape and size. With all the cost increases the local farmer has endured this year, I hope the fall harvest helps to boost their bottom line. Please get out to your favorite family-owned farm store and support our local growers.

As I drove through the morning fog to the office this past Friday, there was a lot to be negative about.

First, you drive by the gas station and see the price of diesel fuel, gasoline, and this triggers the thought of what the cost of home heating oil is, and the last time I checked it was well over $5 a gallon.

Then I get to the office and take a quick look at the paper and just shake my head. Did I mention I don’t watch the news because I’m tired of seeing the same political ads over and over, coupled with more public service messages than I thought were possible, mixed in with more prescription drug ads solving every ailment one can have. Whatever happened to a local sports segment each morning and the scores running across the bottom of the screen?

I choose positivity, and I suggest everybody reading does the same. When my mind wants to go to all the things I could be upset about, I think about all the blessings I have in my life and as a citizen of the United States of America. When people want to throw the raw meat out there to get me fired up to go down the negative path, I do my very best to stay away. Incidentally, that’s what most political ads seem to do; they want to upset members of the opposite party more than tell you why they deserve your vote.

So how did I segue from pumpkins to positivity? Simple: pumpkins make me happy, and supporting local business is the right thing to do. But I also feel I need to share my thoughts with you.

My suggestion: find something that makes you happy and avoid the red meat. Which also means don’t take the bait. Go out and support your favorite farmer, get to a local high school ball game, spend time with the kids celebrating and enjoying everything that is fall. Do something to make your community better and, if possible, include your children and share the experience.

As you’re reading this, it may be a little early yet to carve those pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, but you can let the little ones pick them out and help you decorate for fall. A trip to that local farm market as a family, some apples, a jug of cider maybe, some corn stalks. Let Mom pick her own mums because she knows what color she likes, and everybody wins.

Well, this past Saturday was the first day of archery season, so I’ve not heard of any big bucks being harvested yet. When I do, I’ll share them with you. But whether you’re fishing, hunting, hiking, or biking, there’s no better time than the fall season. Again, all activities that can be done with family, friends, and loved ones. Please don’t allow electronic devices to steal any time from the togetherness of the day.

As I wrote about last week, our 19th Annual Webb Weekly Uncle Ron’s Monster Buck Contest is underway. Full details can be found on page 49. Please take the time to register your buck and, as always, a trophy is in the hands of the holder. Any legally harvested local buck is eligible for entry. Thank you to the good folks at Poust Taxidermy, Sauers Trading, and Stoltzfus Venison Processing for again teaming up to make it happen. Your trophy can be registered at Poust outside of Jersey Shore and Sauers in South Williamsport.

I’ll finish this week with a little warning for everyone. Early Autumn begins what I consider the giving season. Americans by nature are the most giving people in the world; we try to help whoever may need that helping hand. I’m sure you could make a list of all the non-profit organizations that will approach you between now and the end of the year. We all have that list we try to help each year, and we seem to get asked by more with each passing year.

One item that jumps out to me this year will be the cost of heating your living space. There will be more folks than ever before who need a hand with this. Please make sure the organizations or individuals you are approached by are legitimate. There will be those trying to take advantage of the situation through scamming. If you’re not sure, please reach out to somebody you trust and ask. Let’s all be careful out there and help where we can.

God Bless America.