In this community the new year starts in September. The town seems to go to sleep in the summer and with so many people away and almost no activities planned it provides a break from the norm. Summer is the season of quiet and calm, a time to move more slowly and enjoy the longer days. September brings new faces, new activities and new ideas.
Last week the school and community council held an event inviting the entire community to get together. There were people of all ages in attendance, there were activities and there was a meal.
I believe people would attend an event without the promise of food but it is a great motivator and in this part of the world it is the symbol of hospitality. Community is built in halls with tables weighed down with steaming dishes.
Friendships and bodies are strengthened by fresh healthy produce shared so freely when it is in abundance and carefully treasured and distributed when it is in short supply. There is never a year I am not delighted by the precious gifts of fruit and vegetables we will enjoy after the plants have shrivelled up.
The harvest builds community as groups gather for their various annual suppers and many conversations are based on the progress in the field. As the leaves turn and the nights become colder, plans and teams are set for the sports and activities to bring people together and inside the rinks and gymnasiums.
Plants die and the grass stops growing but we as members of a small town community do not curl up for the winter to sit by the fire and wait for spring to bring us back to action.
There is fleeting brightness to the season as the trees change colour. The sun's brightness during the day and fire-red departure at evening give an illusion of heat even as we face the first frost and the temperature can vary in such a surprising manner from day to day. The days are shorter but the meetings are longer and the calendar fills up quickly. It all happens with a generosity of spirit and the dedication of volunteers.
Autumn can be the shortest but also the busiest time of year. It is built into the agricultural background of our province where even those who have never farmed the land feel the energy and urgency of the season. It is a time to plan for the future, to start fresh and to build community.
