One of the benefits of publishing Lifestyle six times a year is more accurately keeping in tune with the seasons. Every school child knows the four seasons — winter, spring, summer and fall (or autumn, if you prefer). But each of these yearly quadrants waxes and wanes, and for me, September and November are fundamentally different times of the year, physically and emotionally. I’m glad we don’t have to lump them together.
My school days, and even those of my children, are long past, but I still love the sense of anticipation that September brings. It’s a fresh start in many ways. Our annual “Fall Home Resource Guide” is well timed if you’re feeling that itch for something new in your home. There’s a wealth of ideas there, and the professionals to help you realize them. Our preview of the London Home Builders’ Association’s “Parade of Renovations,” held on October 5, offers even more inspiration. Our intrepid Janis Wallace provides an excellent scouting report.
I first heard the term “shoulder season” from folks in the tourism industry. They use it to describe the months that frame summer. For them, it generally means fewer visitors with children during the week and more retired folks enjoying the amenities with some quiet and a more quality-focused experience.
There’s plenty in this issue to support that approach to September and October. Our “Road Trip” story explores Middlesex County—truly the backyard for most of our readers—but you may be surprised by some of the lesser-known gems that the adventurous Lois Quail visited. I’ll be following in her footsteps! And as usual, in-the-know epicure Bryan Lavery has some similarly revelatory recommendations in the “Eatdrink Buzz.”
I think that “sweater season” describes another aspect I love about September, when you just need a little something extra to feel cozy. Our fashion pages reflect that in this issue—but with an astonishing amount of style and flair. Gorgeous sweaters, yes, but so much more. Perhaps you’ll see just the right outfit to wear to one of the events highlighted in our regular “Culture Calling” roundup by Kathy Navackas. This is a busy time for the arts, and there is plenty to see and experience.
As publisher, I’d like to think that we successfully lead you to read Lifestyle cover to cover. But if you’re like me, you might just jump to our last page first. In a column we call “Hearth and Home,” Sue Sutherland-Wood demonstrates her talent for describing relatable situations with great humour—without ignoring the ambiguous yin-yang nature of life. Her “Back to School Daze” contribution closes this September/October issue while succinctly evoking much of what I aspire Lifestyle to be: a magazine that helps readers find their way.
