What A Wonderful Time of Year

By Kent Lower

Whew! Finally … some relief from the sweltering summer heat. Finally … autumn is upon us. The weather’s cooler, the evenings brisker, the leaves are brilliant hues of red and orange. I love this time of year, except that I have to get working on my holiday shopping! I’m one of those who always says “I’m going to get started on my shopping early this year.” But of course, each year passes and I’m still panicking a few days before Christmas, because I’ve got a handful of gifts left to buy. Usually it’s because I can’t think of what to get that special someone. Sound familiar? Well, we’re here to help! On page 62, you’ll find holiday gift ideas that will help with that hard to buy for person in your life. And on page 64, “Fashion 101 – Hot Trends for the Cooler Season,” you’ll learn about what’s hot this fall in terms of jewelry and accessories.

Because it’s a cooler time of year, we tend to spend more time indoors. You may decide that this is the perfect season to take a closer look at your home’s décor. Do your walls need a facelift? If so, check out “Wallpaper – It’s Not What It Used to Be” for some helpful hints. This is also a great time to scour the house from another point of view. “Childproofing: Creating a Safe Environment For Your Little Ones” provides valuable advice on how to keep your home safe this holiday season, as well as throughout the year.

Of course, there are plenty of things to do around town this crisp fall season. Don’t miss “Out & About” on page 6 for some creative and exciting adventures for your family. And the 40th Annual Parade of Homes, Wake County’s “largest open house” takes place in October – be sure to check out the beautiful homes in Heritage Wake Forest (descriptions are available on pages 60 and 61). And who can forget about ACC football? For those of you who are born and bred Wolfpack (go State!), Tarheel, and Blue Devils fans, or may have just moved down here and are experiencing ACC football fever for the first time ever, we’ve provided a convenient schedule for you on page 63.

We hope you enjoy these features, as well as the many more insightful articles throughout this edition. We appreciate your loyal readership, and look forward to bringing you more exciting and helpful information in 2006!

Enjoy this wonderful time of year, and happy holidays!