All in all, the best season is fall in the Brunswick area | Column
Brunswick Writer Celebrates the Season in “Just a Little Old” Column
In the latest installment of his “Just a Little Old” series, Brunswick resident David Treadwell mused on why fall remains his favorite season. The column, which appeared in the local Times‑Record, blends personal anecdotes with reflections on community traditions that define the autumn months.
Treadwell admits he is “a sucker for all things pumpkin‑flavored,” citing pumpkin‑spiced coffee, eggnog, ice cream, cheesecake and even pumpkin‑pie gelato at a nearby shop. “I’ve always considered 13 my lucky number and Friday my favorite day,” he writes, noting that his birthday falls on Friday, November 13.
The column lists several fall staples that keep the town active and connected. He highlights the return of schools and colleges, the excitement of the World Series, and the Halloween parade that takes place on the town mall. “Such community gatherings cut way down on trick‑or‑treating from house to house,” he observes, praising the parade for its inclusive spirit and the way it brings families together.
Treadwell also reflects on Veterans Day. He and his wife, Tina, purchased bricks for the Veterans Plaza on the mall to honor their fathers. His father served on the Manhattan Project in Hanford, Washington, while Tina’s father fought in the Pacific during World War II. He confesses he never bought a brick for his great‑grandfather, Civil War soldier George B. Kenniston.
When it comes to holiday traditions, Treadwell prefers Thanksgiving for its meal and the opportunity to express gratitude. He notes a preference for mince, apple, or pecan pie over the typical pumpkin pie. He also expresses a dislike for Black Friday sales, saying he “never [lines] up for hours in front of a big box store to purchase anything.”
A recurring theme in the column is the beauty of New England’s autumn foliage. Treadwell quotes the old Nat King Cole lyric—“The falling leaves drift by the window, the autumn leaves of red and gold”—to capture the magic he feels when watching the leaves change. He comments that many who move away from the area miss the seasonal shift.
The writer closes with a reflective note, “We’re entering the November or, perhaps, December of our years,” and invites readers to share their own thoughts at his email address, [email protected].
Treadwell’s column, part of the Times‑Record’s “Just a Little Old” series, provides a personal look at the cultural touchstones that shape Brunswick’s fall season.
