“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” Soren Kierkegaard

Summer is done and the silent beauty and peaceful surroundings of autumn creep in. These times overlap and blend together along the magnificent Maine coast – forest, rock, sea, ocean and farming. Nature speaks to our senses without ceasing.

Look at the wonderful things of nature such as the trees, and very blue skies. With the summer sun in their wings and winter in their cry something tells the wild geese it is time to go. As the days chill, becoming briskly tingling, the migrating birds seem to croon farewell to another season’s end and sail off in the wind. The hawk in silence soars. We watch.

The regular interval of the year have come to harvest time again. Harvest is molding by a farmer’s toiling hand the product of his land. And so each product is meaningful.

Do you remember the landscape? We are thankful for memories to share. What calls back the past like a rich pumpkin pie? Every time I see a pumpkin a magic carpet transports me back to the fun and excitement of gathering bright orange pumpkins in my father’s gardens. Oh, how they spotted the fields with orange balls. I have always found it fascinating how the pumpkins gold blended with the cornstalks. It filled our souls with joy and cheer as we anticipated the Jack o’ lanterns. Pumpkins have always been great fall decorations. Can you guess which states love pumpkins the best?

Our lives are defined by the uncertainty of war and politics. Our communities have aspirations to go forward quietly. Yet in the midst of life’s uncertainties we savor the sweetness of life. The Texas tragedy fills the earth with woe and desolation reminding us to relish each conversation, treasure each friend a little bit more and to reflect upon our blessings with greater thoughtfulness.

Events are planned with warmest thoughts and best energies hoping to make the world a better place. I remember the very first Pumpkin Harvest Festival in Saco. The school children carved hundreds of Jack o’ lanterns that lined the sidewalks. I can still hear the “oh” and “ah” and the “Look at that!”

The Saco community is gearing up for the Pumpkin Harvest Festival to be celebrated on Main Street Oct. 21, 2017. Some of the events are a spectacular line up of businesses with children’s games, crafters, and performances. Join FestivalNet.com to view, promote contacts, booth fees and more!

The Heart of Biddeford and Saco Maine Street with organizational support and sponsors had a fantasy about something they wanted to create practicing new thinking and expanding their comfort zone. Recognizing and following their yearnings the two cities created the “Biddeford and Saco River Jam Festival” to be held Sept. 15 and 16.

The festival was such a great success with all the wonderful events they have added Friday night to the festival and more events on Saturday. River Jam Co-host and director of Saco Main Street, Robert Biggs is enthusiastic about the added events on the River. “It’s the river that ties these two communities together, so it’s only fitting that we get out and celebrate together. Whether you watch a kayak race or get out on the river in a canoe, you will get to enjoy this beautiful part of the community.”

All details (and there are many) are available on www River Jam Fest.com and on Facebook, River Jam Festival. For interviews and more details, contact Delilah Pourpore, Heart of Biddeford by e-mail at director@heartofbiddeford.org