Note from the Assistant Editor

As much as I cringe at the idea of impending colder weather, now that it’s here I’m starting to have visions of cornucopias and evergreens. It’s nearly time to look forward to decorating and baking, twinkling lights and gatherings.  

Oh, but wait — Christmas started in September.  Or was that Halloween? No, that started in August.  It’s November — there’s still Halloween candy, but Christmas trees are appearing.  What happened to Thanksgiving? 

Confused?  Me too.  

Go into any store and you’ll understand.  They’re selling barbecue gear and costumes, sandals and Santa Claus, and those cute little candy bars are wrapped in so many colors ... should you eat the regular ones, the harvest-colored ones or the red and green ones first?

A coworker described the four-month season until the new year as “HalloThanksMas,” which I thought was genius. Only now, we’re celebrating ThanksMas. Or are we? Where did Thanksgiving go?

Now I absolutely love the holidays. Anybody who knows me will attest to that; there have been a few eye rolls when I start humming holiday tunes and get out my jingle-bell pen. Even my office is awash in seasonal colors. Right now it’s burgundies and golds, and in a few weeks it’ll be deep green and red.  

But I must confess, this whole throw-all-the-holidays-in-together idea is downright disturbing. We have such beautiful autumns in The County; this year was no exception. Why rush things? 

But stores are filled with tree displays and decor, toys and baking goods. You even hear seasonal music now on the radio and while shopping. 

These are all good things — but hold the phone.

Let’s not forget Thanksgiving, which for many marks the last of fall and the harvest (though it’s a bit late for harvest in our neck of the woods). Families and communities plan meals for the big day. Some look forward to the Macy’s parade or football, and others to the official start of the holiday shopping season. 

Somebody apparently kidnapped Thanksgiving. 

But wait — there has to be someone to blame, and I know who it was. It was the same person who invented the TurDuckKen — you know, that bird-within-a-bird-within-a-bird holiday dish. Is it turkey? Well, sort of.  Is it chicken? Kinda. And what’s that other darkish meat floating around in there?  

No wonder we’re confused, people. That culprit right there who smooshed all our dinners into one must be the one who melded all the holidays together.

I say, never mind. Whether this is HallowThanksMas, Chrisgiving or MasValenEaster, I’m going to hold off on the eggnog for just a bit. There are still some leaves to rake, and though snow may be in the forecast, there are nearly three weeks before turkey day. Time to enjoy the “now” before the frenzy begins.

And dig out that snowbrush, just in case.

Paula Brewer is assistant editor for The Star-Herald, Aroostook Republican, Houlton Pioneer Times and St. John Valley Times, plus websites TheCounty.ME and FiddleheadFocus.com. She can be reached at pbrewer@bangordailynews.com or (207) 764-4471.

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— Paula Brewer

Weather for Friday, Nov. 8, through Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019

National Weather Service, Caribou 
Visit your local NWS office at: https://www.weather.gov/car

Friday, Nov. 8 — A slight chance of snow showers before 1 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 30. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Partly cloudy Friday night, with a low around 15. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph.

Saturday Nov. 9 — Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. West wind 8 to 10 mph. Saturday night, a slight chance of snow showers after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. South wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Big Data

THE BIG NUMBER — Our Big Number for the week is 24. That’s how many handmade, uniquely Aroostook and marvelously Maine Christmas tree ornaments will be going from Presque Isle High School to Washington, D.C. Ellyn Whitten-Smith’s class at PIHS was selected for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create ornaments to adorn the Maine tree, one of 56 smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree.

THE BIG TODO — We dedicate our Big Todo to all veterans. Monday is Veterans Day, and several County communities are hosting meals, tributes and other events over the weekend to honor all whose service helped secure the freedoms we enjoy every day. If you know or see a veteran, please say “Thank you.”

THE BIG POTATO — The Fort Kent Warrior girls soccer team are our Big Potatoes this week. The team battled the Houlton Shiretowners Nov. 5 in a game that went into a second overtime. The Warriors outlasted their opponents, securing a 3-2 win over Houlton for the Class C North girls soccer title at the Gehrig Johnson Athletic Complex in Presque Isle.