Most evenings I take a walk-jog after work and you can feel the chill of fall in the air. While it’s not quite time for sweats, it’s getting close.

It has been crisp and clear with the smell of wood burning in nearby fireplaces.

Heck Apple Festival is next week, where did the summer go? It seems the older I get the faster the time goes by. There must be some scientific theory. Remember when you were a kid, how summers seemed to last forever? Now they feel like a long weekend. I guess if you have only lived through eight summers they are still fresh and new and long lasting. After 61 summers I find I have to step back and savor those special times.

Last Saturday I savored one of those special times as I attended the Myrtle Beach Film Festival After Party at the Ready Theater.  It is nearly completed and the artistically painted walls are beautiful. I am told that the place was far from attractive in its final days of operation. The community will have a showplace when it does reopen.  And it will help Niles in our efforts to become a destination.

Speaking of events, you may have heard that they are replacing the Main Street Bridge and Niles Main Street will be hosting a party. The “Bridge Bash” is going to be fun. MDOT is closing the bridge for the event happening on Sunday, Oct. 5. Games and activities for the whole family along with live music and other entertainment make this an event not to be missed. Massimo’s will provide a beer garden for those of us that enjoy a cold one.

Finally, I want to finish with a fond farewell to John Eby, a Dowagiac Daily News fixture for 33 years. John touched so many lives with his accurate reporting over these years. He’s touched everyone in Leaderland. Our loss will be Southwest Michigan College’s gain.  I’ll personally miss John’s local knowledge and dry wit. John, I wish you happiness in your new position.

Michael Bennett is publisher of Leader Publications. He can be reached at michael.bennett @leaderpub.com or at 687-7700.