Letter from the Editor If you’ve been reading the Port Stanley Villager for any length of time, you already know one thing about me, I absolutely love Christ- mas. It’s my favourite time of year, hands down. But if Christmas sits comfortably at number one, fall is right there breathing down its neck. Maybe it’s because football season is
PortStanley FestivalTheatre
PACKED WITH FALL ENTERTAINMENT! SIMON JOYNES PLAYWRIGHTS’ FESTIVAL Join us for three nights of FREE Public Readings as we develop new Canadian stories. Hosted by PSFT Artistic Director Liz Gilroy September 17- 19 th , 2026 at 7:30pm “Now The Bells Ring” A Docu-Concert by Lindsay Kyte, Music by Rita MacNeil “Martha Rules” (working title) by John Spurway “Hen Party!” by Jody Stevens Reserve Free Seats in Advance Donations Welcomed at the Door
back. By the time you’re reading this, my fantasy football draft will be complete, and I’ll either be convinced I’ve assembled a championship roster or wondering why I trusted that one sleeper pick. Hope springs eternal, at least until Week Two. But football is only part of it. There’s something magical about fall in Southwestern Ontario, especially here in Elgin County – the cooler mornings, warm afternoons, crisp evenings, and trees that seem determined to put on one last spectacular show before winter arrives. It feels like Mother Nature is reminding us not to rush through the season. I love taking a drive through the countryside with no real destination, just watching the landscape slowly transform from shades of green into brilliant reds, oranges and golds. Add in an apple orchard, the search for the perfect pumpkin, and maybe an excuse to stop for a hot apple cider, and you’ve got just about the perfect day. Now, Halloween has never really been my holiday. I’ll happily admire everyone else’s decorations and costumes while quietly hoping no one expects me to dress as anything more complicated than ‘guy wearing a flannel shirt’. But Halloween is part of what makes this season special, and it’s hard not to smile when you see families out enjoying it together. One thing Staci introduced me to a few years ago was Hallmark movies. I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for them. Especially the fall- themed ones. Sure, they’re wonderfully predictable, but that’s part of the charm. A small town, a harvest festival, hayrides, pumpkin carving, a scarecrow contest, maybe someone acci- dentally falls in love while carrying too many pies. Somehow, it all works. The funny thing is, those movies always make me realize we don’t have to travel very far to create those kinds of memories. Around our communities, you’ll find farmers’ markets, orchards, corn mazes, fairs, festivals, hiking trails and beautiful beaches taking on a whole new look as summer quietly gives way to autumn. Whether it’s a romantic afternoon for two or a family adventure with the kids, this season gives us plenty of reasons to get outside. I hope you take advantage of these beautiful weeks ahead. Go for that country drive. Visit an orchard. Wander through a fall festival. Enjoy the colours, the cooler air, but watch out for those angry yellow jackets! Until next month, I’ll see you in the apple orchards.
OCTOBER 3 7:30pm
A GRINCHY CELEBRATION Saturday December 5 1pm & 7pm
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519-782-4353 www.psft.ca RESERVE YOUR SEATS
Page 2 Port Stanley Villager • September 2026
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