From Your Publisher . . .
C
an you recall the sounds, smells, and related sensations of the month of October from your childhood? Many times these are the catalysts behind my emotions as I anticipate autumn and Halloween and all that the month of October portends—gazing at a less bright, softened blue sky; basking in the warm sun, bathed by cool breezes, watching leaves fall from their branches and later shuffling through these leaves in treks around the yard, and catching whiffs of smoke from the chimneys of nearby homes’ first fires of the season. Recollections of these summerinto-fall sensations from childhood always rekindle an excitement that makes me eager to celebrate October. Throughout this month, life along and beyond the Mississippi offers countless events, many traditional and some new,
that infuse and enrich our October 2012 experience. County and state fairs, pilgrimages, festivals, football games, homecomings, reunions, and Halloween all promise exciting opportunities to replace the routine of our days with the robustness of both planned and impromptu participation in events that are educational, inspirational, and outright fun! Along with these events are those home-and-heartstrings sights of many neighborhood houses’ front steps, stoops, porches, and doorways decorated with bright and colorful mums, orange pumpkins, wispy cattails, dried cornstalks, and beautiful wreaths in autumn’s oranges, golds, and greens, beckoning guests to embrace October’s ambiance. Conveying many facets of that ambiance, Bluffs & Bayous’ features this month include the Great Mississippi River Balloon
Page 4 { October 2012 { Bluffs & Bayous
Race in Natchez, Mississippi, as well as one of the oldest celebrated holidays— Halloween. In addition, our guest columnist Ellis Nassour salutes Glen Ballard, accomplished and nationally renowned musician, Grammy winner, and Natchez native. Johnny Bowlin writes about our New Orleans Saints football team, and our friends and readers have submitted a wide variety of recipes ready to complement the myriad events that October offers. Add to this mix our historical, legal, outdoors, southern-sampler, and dining-around-town articles, and we have enticements that will keep our readers returning to Bluffs’ pages—hard copy or online—time and time again. And, don’t forget to check out our “Up & Coming” calendar; it’s chock-full of events—absolutely something for everyone this month! May the quickening pace of autumn as it steps into cooler days and approaches the drama of “the holidays” inspire you to pursue October’s fascinating opportunities and satiate your yen for festivals, pilgrimages, reunions, and Halloween happenings as you embrace life along and beyond the Mississippi. Happy Fall and Happy Halloween!