With the changeable weather this week, and a notable drop in the water temperatures, it’s clear that autumn is nigh. It’s T-minus five days until Tumbleweed Tuesday.
Summer doesn’t actually end until Sept. 21, but pumpkins have begun popping up among the marigolds and mums at certain farm stands (Serene Green, we’re looking at you!). Starbucks unleashed its fall menu a week early this year, on Aug. 22.
As far as seasonal pursuits like swimming, sailing, and eating white corn go, we plan to continue to pretend it’s still summer up through October, but otherwise, an early autumn sounds great. It’s been another intense summer out there, hasn’t it?
Let us count the not-pleasures of August that we’re glad to put in the rearview.
Topping the list is summertime noise. The private jet traffic is incessant, the leaf-blower laws seem totally inadequate, and the nonstop rumble of heavy construction trucks could drive a person mad. Add to this the aural pressure of concerts with amplified music, fiestas and fund-raisers with M.C.s making announcements over loudspeakers, and outdoor weddings with D.J.s and it can be impossible to find peace even in your own back garden. Judging by the Letters to the Editor, we’re not the only ones who believe our municipal representatives really do need to start taking noise abatement more seriously.
Next on the “good riddance” list is the seasonal over-commercialization of the beaches. Exactly how many catered parties is too many catered parties on the ocean beach on an August evening? It’s an emblematic example of privileging the few at the expense of the many. We understand that policing this is a burden on departments already stressed to the max, but we do need to get a grip on beach commercialization, too.
Rounding out the top three is parking-lot mayhem. From Montauk to the town line in Wainscott, parking has been a misery. It’s an irritating cliché around our office that no one from out of town seems to understand the rules of automotive right of way, but any pretense at orderly driving apparently gets tossed out the window once you enter a parking lot
In addition to the relief afforded by the easing of all of the above, there is much to look forward to: Dahlias at Share the Harvest farm stand. Rotisserie duck at Fairview Farm at Mecox. Empire apples at the Milk Pail. David Sedaris returning to Guild Hall. Artists and Writers Night at Almond restaurant.