Local News and Events

This is a last minute update about President Trump's mid-term rally visit to our small town of Kalispell Montana today, October 14th, 2026.Please note this is not a political post, but it is just a heads-up about the event, tickets, and traffic since the area will be impacted all day.The event will be held at the Majestic Arena at the north end of Kalispell where there is seating for 7,000. If you are interested in going, free tickets can be reserved at this website (if there are any left; it's doubtful there are). Event parking begins at 12pm today, and if you come earlier, you will be turned away by law enforcement. You will also not be able to park along Route 93, or any side roads and wait until noon. I also read that cars that park where they aren't supposed to may be towed. Theref... 10/14/2026

Ratri Before Navratri: A Night of Music, Dance & Community! What a night! ❤️✨ The music, the energy, the beautiful outfits, and an incredible community coming together to celebrate tradition made this an evening to remember! Ratri Before Navratri with Nidhi Sheth & Team was truly a special celebration filled with vibrant performances, joyful moments, and the excitement of a dance floor full of energy. 🎥 Relive the Magic of Ratri Before Navratri! Watch the Highlights on YouTube A Celebration of Culture, Tradition & Togetherness From the live performances to the colorful traditional outfits and the lively dance floor, every moment reflected the beauty of bringing people together through music, dance, and culture. Events like these are a wonderful reminder of how traditions connect genera... 10/14/2026

Yesterday was ridiculously hot for October. in Barrington.Three weeks ago, I officially put the air conditioning to bed for the season. Summer was over, fall had arrived, and I was quite pleased with myself for getting everything packed away.Apparently, the weather didn't get the memo.The dogs spent yesterday stretched out in front of the fan I'd thoughtfully provided, while I suffered in silence.Could I have unpacked the air conditioner? Of course.Was I going to? Absolutely not.I'd packed it away, and as far as I was concerned, it was staying packed away until next summer.Sometimes there's a very fine line between determination and stupidity.I'm not entirely sure which side I was on yesterday. 10/14/2026

With more than 3,500 resident-run clubs in The Villages, I’m still finding groups that make me smile. The Polka Lovers Club is one of them.The club was created for people who enjoy polka music, dancing and getting together with others who share the same interest. Their events have traditionally included plenty of music and dancing, along with information about other polka events happening around Central Florida. And yes, you may want to break out the polka shoes.This is one more example of what I enjoy about living here. Whatever your interest happens to be, there is a pretty good chance somebody else in The Villages enjoys it too.You might even find an entire club built around it. Polka, anyone?Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamLPT RealtyThe Villages, Florida717-860-3107 cellDick@DickB... 10/15/2026

The banner picture above was from the pumpkin walk currently being held at Woodland Trail on the South Western side of Minot.I know they also held it last year but I missed it. Having gone through it last Saturday I was very surprised at how many businesses and services sponsor it. I think I will get involved next year. I believe most of the RE brokerages were involved but I didn't think about the photos until I had passed them.If I were to guess, I'd say there were 50 displays.Two weeks ago Carol and I were invited to the 100th anniversary of "The Minot Lions" Lions club (there are two Lions clubs clubs in town, thus I specify "The Minot Lions" Lions club.We had a fun time and we spent to much money on their silent auction fund raiser. I am not a Lion at this time but I was several yea... 10/14/2026

A while back I watched a video comparing getting older to an old baseball glove, and the idea has stuck with me ever since. When I was a teenager, I bought a baseball mitt. It was brand new, clean and stiff, and it took some time to break it in. Over the years that glove played baseball and softball and spent a lot of time with me while I coached. I still have it.Today it is scratched, worn and tattered. Some of the rawhide has been replaced and some stitching repaired. It certainly doesn't look the way it did when I first bought it. But you know what? It still works.I think a lot of us living in The Villages are a little like that old mitt. We may have some scars. A few of us have had knees, hips or other parts repaired or replaced. We don't look exactly like we did decades ago. But wh... 10/14/2026

Watersound, FL · Emerald Coast Run Watersound5K & 10K Saturday, October 24, 2026 Fall on 30A means cooler mornings, golden light, and one of our favorite community traditions. The sixth annual Run Watersound is just 11 days away, and it's a great excuse to see Watersound Origins on foot. 10K start 8:00 a.m. $50 5K start 8:10 a.m. $40 Where Starts and finishes at the Watersound Town Center Pavilion, 85 Origins Main Street, Inlet Beach. Course Flat and scenic, winding along the paths and sidewalks of Watersound Origins. Packet pickup Friday, October 23, 4:00–6:00 p.m. at Fleet Feet Inlet Beach Race morning, 7:00 a.m. at the Pavilion After the race Stick around the Pavilion for live music and awards for the top three male and female finishers in each distance. Register Sign up for Run Wat... 10/13/2026

FREE safe place on Halloween-TFA Fall Fest Terrell TX Oct 31st at 6pm.203 Main St, Terrell, TX SCAN THE QR CODE ON THE FLYER BELOW TO SEE THE ACTUAL EVENT! Please join us at my church in Terrell, TX! The kids come in their costumes and enjoy train rides, a petting zoo, indoor & outdoor games, activites and more! Make sure they bring a container to bring home all the candy they will receive at the games! If you are interested in donating to the event please contact me !  10/13/2026

Mark your calendars, neighbors! One of Canyon Creek's favorite fall traditions is just around the corner, and it's time to celebrate the season with a little hometown fun!🍂 Canyon Creek Fall Festival📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026⏰ 3:00–5:00 PM📍 Canyon Creek Pool & Activity Center11401 Boulder LaneOur Canyon Creek HOA is bringing neighbors together once again for an afternoon of fall festivities, family fun, and plenty of smiles!Here's a peek at some of the fun we've enjoyed at past festivals:🎃 Pumpkin Painting & Face Painting – Let your creativity shine!🚒 Firetruck – Always a favorite with the kids!🏰 Bouncy House – A chance for the little ones to burn off some energy!🐴 Pony Rides – Because who doesn't love a pony ride?Be sure to watch for the HOA's announcement confirming this year's acti... 10/14/2026

Bill Salvatore of Arizona Elite Properties featured a post toRe-Blog today on Active Rain. Good post by Adam today, andworthy of our daily Re-B. Gilbert AZ  GILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / HelpingArizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026Market, Chandler  #Sellmyhouse #whatsmyhomeworth #homevalues#2026market #ArizonaEliteProperties #ChandlerAZ#yourValleyProperty #GilbertRealtor #AZVHV#buyingaHome #LiveinSunnyAZ #BillSalvatore There is a lot of notable history and residents (past and present) living in or near Hamilton Heights, the north west section section of Harlem in Manhattan. In honor of Halloween a few spooky connections worth noting: Trinity Cemetery Uptown - Notable graves include John Jacob Astor, IV  (the Astor's built the ... 10/12/2026

There is a lot of notable history and residents (past and present) living in or near Hamilton Heights, the north west section section of Harlem in Manhattan. In honor of Halloween a few spooky connections worth noting: Trinity Cemetery Uptown - Notable graves include John Jacob Astor, IV  (the Astor's built the Waldorf Astoria among lots of other buildings and John died on the Titanic) + other members of the Astor family; Eliza Jumel (more on Eliza in the next site); Dr. David Hosack (who tended to Alexander Hamilton after his duel);  James Audubon- the naturalist who documented birds; Ralph Ellison- Author of The Invisible Man; Clement Clarke Moore- author of the Poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (Twas the Night before Christmas....) and Jerry Orbach (aka Lenny Briscoe from the original... 10/12/2026

2026 Prospect CT Pumpkin Fest October 17It's that time of year as we approach the month of Halloween, or October for the others.  on Saturday, October 17, from 4:00PM to 8:00PM, it's the precursor to that other special day. The day starts off with a parade of ghouls and goblins though the stretch of town from the CVS pharmacy to the town green. Cheering, leering, and scarin' rules the day but no one is complaining.Prospect students from Pre-K though 8th grade are ready to participate in a Pumpkin Decorating Contest for a chance to earn an award ribbon.The preparations start the week prior with the stands set up on the green. The entries are judged, and then each classroom shares a special bleacher with the award winners front and center.There will be crafts vendors, food trucks, music a... 10/12/2026

With more than 3,500 resident-run clubs in The Villages, I still enjoy finding groups that make me stop and think, “I didn’t know we had that.” The Colored Pencil Painters Guild is one of them.The group was established in 2011 with the goal of promoting colored pencil as a fine art medium. Membership is open to Villages residents, and the Guild includes everyone from beginners to advanced artists. What really stands out is the quality of the work. Spend a little time looking through their website and newsletters and you quickly realize this goes far beyond what most of us picture when we hear “colored pencils.”The Guild offers Open Studios, monthly programs and judged shows, with experienced artists and teachers helping members improve their skills. Their monthly meeting is held on the ... 10/17/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year, I want to share something I don’t talk about often.In May of 2022, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.I got the call on the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend. If you’ve ever had to sit with news like that through a long holiday weekend, with no doctor’s office open and no one to call back with answers, you know. It was, needless to say, a pretty terrible few days.The First Call After My Breast Cancer DiagnosisI’ve thought a lot about who I called first. It was my ex-husband, Chris.I don’t remember what he said. I think I was in shock. What I remember is that I reached for the phone, and I reached for him.Sometimes your history with a certain person is all that matters in that moment.Finding a Breast Surgeon in Las VegasThe weeks af... 10/12/2026

Discover the best public, semi-private, and private golf courses in Venice, Florida, and explore the communities that make this area a golfer's paradise.If you're a golf enthusiast, Venice, Florida, might just be your perfect destination!Located along Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, Venice offers an impressive selection of golf courses, from relaxed public courses to championship layouts and private country clubs.Whether you're a year-round resident, seasonal visitor, or considering relocating to Southwest Florida, you'll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the game.One thing I love about living in the Venice area is the variety of lifestyles available. You can spend your morning on the golf course, enjoy lunch overlooking the fairways, and still have time to catch a beautiful Gulf Co... 10/11/2026

 Charlotte, Ready for Pumpkins, Corn Mazes & Hay Rides? 14 Pumpkin Patches🎃 & Corn Mazes 🌽Within One Hour Of Charlotte  October around Charlotte comes with a few important decisions.How big a pumpkin can you reasonably carry? How many apple cider donuts are too many? And who in your group should absolutely NOT be trusted to lead the way through a corn maze?The best part? You don't have to spend hours in the car to put all three questions to the test. There are plenty of pumpkin patches and corn mazes within about an hour of Charlotte, from old-fashioned family farms to full-blown fall festivals.This year's lineup includes everything from pick-your-own pumpkin fields and sprawling corn mazes to hayrides, farm animals, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin chunkin', Old West adventures and even nightt... 10/11/2026

Auburn University Relocation: Hives Alive Honeybee Science and Art Exhibit Auburn University relocation is about discovering more than homes, neighborhoods, and football traditions.It's also about becoming part of a community where education, scientific research, and creativity are happening every day.One fascinating example is Auburn University's Hives Alive exhibit.I photographed an educational display explaining how researchers studied the organization of honeybee nests and transformed their scientific findings into art.And I have to say, it's pretty interesting!What Is Hives Alive at Auburn University?Hives Alive is an art-and-science exhibit inspired by research conducted at Auburn University's Smith Bee Lab.The project explores how honeybees build and organize their nests.Scienti... 10/11/2026

Auburn Alabama Storm Damage: Hurricane Isaias Cleanup, Fallen Trees and Power Lines Auburn Alabama storm damage from Hurricane Isaias was visible in several areas this morning following the severe weather that moved through our community overnight.I took photographs of some of the damage near my home and while walking my dog, Hans.Some pictures show fallen trees.Others show trees affecting power lines or resting on fences.I also photographed cleanup crews working in the aftermath of the storm.I'm grateful to be safe, and I sincerely hope everyone else is safe, too.If you lost electricity, I hope it's already been restored or will be restored very soon.Hurricane Isaias and Auburn, AlabamaHurricane Isaias brought dangerous weather to the Gulf Coast on October 9, 2026.The storm's effects ... 10/10/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness MonthBreast Cancer Awareness Month, observed every October, is an important time to recognize the impact of breast cancer and to highlight how early detection can significantly improve survival rates. This month focuses on education, supporting those affected, encouraging continued research to advance treatment and find a cure, working to eliminate disparities in care. As one of the most common cancers among women, raising awareness helps individuals prioritize their health, schedule regular screenings, and stay informed about risk factors and prevention.Breast cancer touches many lives, and its effects reach far beyond the physical, often impacting emotional well‑being, families, and daily life. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Montgomery Cou... 10/17/2026

Inaugural ‘MoCo Smoke Show’, Saturday, Oct. 17 Smoke, flavor, and competition are coming to downtown Wheaton with the debut of the MoCo Smoke Show, a new signature barbecue competition and community celebration. The free event will take place from 11 a.m.– 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2424 Reedie Drive in downtown Wheaton. The event will be held rain or shine. Presented by the MoCo Smoke Show BBQ Festival Team, Wheaton Urban District, and Montgomery County, this community event will bring barbecue culture to Wheaton, one of Montgomery County’s most vibrant and diverse food destinations. The family-friendly event will transform the Wheaton Triangle into a full-day barbecue experience. Competition teams and pitmasters will fire up their smokers while attendees enjoy delicious food and ... 10/15/2026