Dear Readers,

Columbus Day usually signals the end of our summer tourist season.

Soon, most of the people from away, the visitors who are our main industry, will head out of town.

We love their attention and we love that they drive hundreds of miles, thousands of miles in some cases, just to spend time with us.

As much as we love our summer visitors, there is a sigh of relief that the season is over. Now, we can find a parking place at the post office and dare to drive through Wiscasset.

Our visitors come here for more than a chance to buy a T-shirt, take a boat ride, glimpse at a lighthouse and eat a lobster.

I am told they come here for the beautiful geography and return because of the welcoming nature of our neighbors and our merchants. There is also the quiet, special something that makes our Maine coast a valued refuge from today’s urban existence.

Some of our merchants tell me they have had a pretty good summer. You have to understand, if they had a blockbuster summer, they would still say they had a “pretty good summer.” After all, these are Yankees and like to keep private business information private.

The word is that some of our other longtime merchants may not have done do well, but that may have to do with changes in their business plans. It happens every year.

Good or bad, the season is over for 2013. It is time for them to scrub the kitchen, put away the deck umbrellas and button up the rest of the store.

Soon we will be getting ready for Halloween. The East Boothbay scarecrow project is a delight, as the goofy creations bring lots of smiles to little goblins and parents.

After that spooky holiday, we will see the annual Early Bird sales spectacular as folks set alarm clocks, grab pajamas and come to town for hot deals. Then we will get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Outside the kitchen window, the fall colors are fading. Soon the chilly winds will strip the trees. Days are getting  shorter.

It is a time to get ready. The snows of winter won’t be far behind.