Porch Lights and Pumpkins: Halloween on the Square
Where to trick-or-treat Saturday in Mason, Llano, Brady and Junction, plus rain through Friday and a dry Halloween evening.
Letter from the Editor
Dear neighbors,
Saturday at five o'clock, the Mason square changes hands. For an hour and a half it belongs to princesses, cowboys, a few dinosaurs and at least one kid in a costume nobody can identify, all of them holding out a bag.
Halloween is the one night a year a whole town walks the same few blocks together. Grandparents sit on tailgates. Shop owners stand in their doorways with a bowl. Teenagers who swore they were too old for this turn up anyway, usually as something that took them ten minutes to put together. Nobody needs a ticket, and everybody knows somebody.
This week's issue is built around that night. The feature walks through where the treats are across our towns, from the square in Mason to the trunk-or-treats in Llano and Brady and a ranger program under the stars at South Llano River State Park. If you've got a house that goes all out every year, or a porch you think hands out the best candy in the county, tell us through the Share with The Townie form. We'd love to hear who's earned the reputation.
Before Saturday comes rain. Showers move in today and stay with us through Friday. The Weather Service expects the heaviest of it farther west, past San Angelo, but give the low-water crossings some respect on the drive home tonight anyway. The good news is that Saturday dries out by evening, right on time for the porch lights.
One more thing to watch for at the end of this issue: November is Nonprofit Month at The Townie, and it starts next Thursday.
Leave the light on Saturday. Somebody small is counting on it.
With love,
Katie Milton Jordan, Editor
[email protected]
🌾 Fresh off the Porch
📅 This Week (Oct 29–Nov 4)
Townie Picks: five for Halloween weekend
[Mason] Trick or Treat on the Square | Sat, Oct 31 | 5–6:30 p.m. | Mason Square. Businesses around the square hand out treats to costumed kids. Come early, walk the whole loop and say thank you at every door.
[Mason] Fall Art & Wine Festival | Sat, Oct 31 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Sidewalks around the Mason square. Free. Local artists, nonprofits and Mason County wines, with a chance to meet the winemakers. Promoted by the Mason County Chamber of Commerce.
[Mason] Puncher Football Live: Mason vs. Brady | Fri, Oct 30 | Doors 6 p.m., kickoff 7 p.m. | Odeon Theater. The district game with Brady on the big screen, with full concessions. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated.
[Junction] Trick or Treat at the Park, then Ghosts of the Night Sky | Sat, Oct 31 | Trick-or-treat 5 p.m.; night-sky program 7:15 p.m. | South Llano River State Park. Treats at dusk, then rangers and volunteers lead a program on the ancient objects of the October sky. Clear skies are not guaranteed after this week's rain, so check with the park before you go.
[Llano] Trunk or Treat | Sat, Oct 31 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | First Baptist Church Llano Activity Center parking lot. Hosted by First Baptist Church Llano and open to all.
More this week
[Llano] Storytime: Pre-K | Thu, Oct 29 | 10–11 a.m. | Llano Library, 102 E. Haynie St.
[Junction] Reading with a Ranger | Thu, Oct 29 | 10:30 a.m. | Kimble County Library. A park ranger reads to the kids.
[Llano] Casper Teen Spooktacular | Thu, Oct 29 | Doors 5 p.m., film 7 p.m. | Lantex Theater. An indoor plan for a rainy night.
[Mason] Halloween Treats | Fri, Oct 30 | 3:30–6:30 p.m. | Mason Dairy Queen. A free kiddie cone for every child in costume.
[Llano] The Western Playboys | Fri, Oct 30 | 7–10 p.m. | Joe's Bar, 107 W. Main St.
[Llano] The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Fri, Oct 30, and Sat, Oct 31 | 7:30–9:30 p.m. | Lantex Theater, 113 W. Main St. Doors open an hour before showtime.
[Brady] Adult Halloween Party | Fri, Oct 30 | 8–11:45 p.m. | Brady Brewing Company. Grown-ups only.
[Mason] Fall City-Wide Garage Sale | Sat, Oct 31 | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | All over town. Each sale sets its own hours, so check the Chamber's map before you head out.
[Llano] Cars & Coffee | Sat, Oct 31 | 9–11 a.m. | Historic Railyard District, 100 Train Station Dr. Presented by Llano River Railroad.
[Mason] Seaquist House Tours | Sat, Oct 31 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | The Seaquist House, 405 Broad St.
[Junction] Cowboy Coffee | Sat, Oct 31 | 10 a.m. | South Llano River State Park, Buck House. Coffee and conversation with a ranger.
[Llano] Free Scoop Trick or Treat | Sat, Oct 31 | 11 a.m.–8 p.m. | Llano River Creamery. A free scoop for customers in costume.
[Mason] Tamales: Art & Wine Walk | Sat, Oct 31 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | In front of Murphy Creek Cellars, 120 Ft. McKavitt St. Regular and spicy pork tamales by donation, with every dollar going to clients of the Family Resource Network.
[Brady] Crafternoon | Sat, Oct 31 | Noon–4 p.m. | Giddy-Up Grind Co.
[Mason] Trunk or Treat | Sat, Oct 31 | 5–6:30 p.m. | First United Methodist Church, 224 Broad St., west parking lot. Hosted by First United Methodist Church Mason.
[Llano] Trunk or Treat | Sat, Oct 31 | 6–9 p.m. | Llano Regional Hospital clinic parking lot. Hosted by Llano Regional Hospital.
[Brady] Trunk or Treat Drive-Thru | Sat, Oct 31 | 6–7:30 p.m. | Commercial National Bank. Hosted by Commercial National Bank. The kids stay in the car, so it works rain or shine.
[Mason] Hallowine: Creatures of the Vine | Sat, Oct 31 | 6–9 p.m. | Sandstone Cellars Winery, 205 San Antonio St. Costumes encouraged.
[Mason] Karaoke Night | Sat, Oct 31 | 6–9 p.m. | Spring Street Collective.
[Llano] Matt Hilton & Joe Forlini | Sat, Oct 31 | 7–10 p.m. | Joe's Bar, 107 W. Main St.
[Brady] Halloween Karaoke Night & Costume Contest | Sat, Oct 31 | 7–11 p.m. | TruCountry Inn.
[Mason] Halloween Costume Party | Sat, Oct 31 | 9 p.m.–midnight | Willow Creek Cafe & Club, 106 Ft. McKavitt. Costume prizes and karaoke with DJ Polo P.
[Llano] Chicken & Dumplings Luncheon | Sun, Nov 1 | 12:15–2 p.m. | First Baptist Church Llano Activity Center. A community lunch hosted by First Baptist Church Llano.
[Brady] The Soda Crackers | Sun, Nov 1 | 3 p.m. | Heart of Texas Country Music Museum, 1701 S. Bridge St. A five-piece band from Bakersfield, Calif., playing the Bakersfield Sound with a helping of Western Swing. Free, with donations to the museum welcome.
[Llano] Autumn Gold Barrel Racing | Wed, Nov 4 | 3–9:30 p.m. | John L. Kuykendall Events Center.
🗓️ Coming Up
[Mason] Mammogram Mobile Screening | Fri, Nov 6 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | River of Life Church. Frontera Healthcare Network brings mobile mammography to Mason.
[Llano] Llano Outdoor Sports Expo | Fri, Nov 6 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Llano Visitor Center, 100 Train Station Dr. Workshops, food and prizes. Tickets $25, or five for $100.
[Mason] Mason County Health Fair | Fri, Nov 6 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | River of Life Church Gym, 217 E. College. Health resources and screenings.
[Mason] Customer Appreciation Day | Fri, Nov 6 | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Mason Feed Store, 130 Austin St. Free food, giveaways and door prizes.
[Mason] First Fridays | Fri, Nov 6 | 5–9 p.m. | Robert Clay Vineyards.
[Llano] Llano Country Opry: A Salute to Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn | Fri, Nov 6 | 7–9 p.m. | Lantex Theater. With Tre Twitty and Tayla Lynn.
[Mason] Hunter Appreciation Day | Sat, Nov 7 | 8 a.m.–1 p.m. | Fredonia Peanut. Food and company on opening day of deer season.
[Fredericksburg] Sidewalk Book Sale | Sat, Nov 7 | 9 a.m.–noon | Pioneer Memorial Library, 115 W. Main St. Books from 50 cents to $2, with proceeds going to library programs.
[Llano] Farmers & Crafters Market | Sat, Nov 7 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Llano Courthouse Square.
[Mason] Seaquist House Guided Tours | Sat, Nov 7 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | The Seaquist House, 405 Broad St. $15 entry.
[Junction] Medicinal Plants | Sat, Nov 7 | 10:15 a.m. | South Llano River State Park.
[Llano] Single Barrel Release Party | Sat, Nov 7 | 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. | War Trail Spirits, 122 E. Main St.
[Castell] Hunters Ball | Sat, Nov 7 | 5–7 p.m. | Castell General Store.
[Junction] Volunteer-led Star Party | Sat, Nov 7 | 6:45 p.m. | South Llano River State Park.
[Mason] Ordinary Elephant | Sat, Nov 7 | 7–9 p.m. | Odeon Theater. The folk duo brings its harmonies to the Odeon stage.
[Menard] Hunters Blowout 2026 | Sat, Nov 7 | 7–11 p.m. | Club Victoria, Frisco Ave. Chili, beans, rice, tamales and raffles. $15 each or two for $25. Bring your own drinks; setups provided. Details through the Menard County Chamber, 325-396-2365.
[Llano] 4-H Chicken Fried Steak Dinner | Sun, Nov 8 | 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | St. James Church, Schorlemmer Hall, 1401 Ford St. A Llano County 4-H fundraiser.
[Llano] Test-A-Pie & Chili Cook-Off | Sun, Nov 8 | 4–6 p.m. | Uplift Church. Free and family-friendly.
[Mason] Bingo Night | Tue, Nov 10 | 5:30–7 p.m. | Murphy Creek Cellars.
[Fredericksburg] Veterans Day Program | Wed, Nov 11 | 11–11:30 a.m. | Pacific Combat Zone Amphitheater, 508 E. Austin St. Hosted by the National Museum of the Pacific War, with keynote speaker retired Vice Adm. John M. Bird.
[Mason] 2026 Texas Top Gun Shootout | Wed–Sun, Nov 11–15 | Starts 1 p.m. Wednesday | Katemcy Rocks Offroad Park. The fifth year of the rock-crawling competition.
[Mason] Mason High School Community Tour | Wed, Nov 11 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Mason High School. Tour the campus with the Facility Study Committee and hear about current and future facility needs.
[Junction] Astronomy with Buddy | Thu, Nov 12 | 6:15 p.m. | South Llano River State Park.
[Mason] Taylor Hughes & Krystal King | Thu, Nov 12 | 7–9 p.m. | Porchlight Distillery.
[Fredericksburg] 3rd Annual Casino Night | Fri, Nov 13 | 5:30–10 p.m. | Hanger Hotel, 155 Airport Road. Dinner, casino games and prizes, raising money for officer wellness through the Fredericksburg Police Department Foundation Fund.
[Mason] November Rock Hunt | Sat, Nov 14 | 8 a.m.–3 p.m. | Mason Country Collectibles, 424 Ft. McKavitt St. $40 a person, and you keep what you find.
[Llano] Project Graduation 2027 Golf Tournament | Sat, Nov 14 | 9 a.m. shotgun start | Llano River Golf Course. A four-person scramble raising money for the LHS Class of 2027's Project Graduation.
[Junction] Explore Bowhunting | Sat, Nov 14 | 11 a.m. | South Llano River State Park.
[Llano] Llano Christian Academy Dinner & Fundraiser | Sat, Nov 14 | 5–9 p.m. | John L. Kuykendall Events Center.
[Mason] Annual Mason County Wild Game Dinner | Sat, Nov 14 | 5:30–9 p.m. | Fort Mason City Park Community Building, 1015 San Antonio St. Hosted by the Mason County Chamber of Commerce.
[Castell] Castell School House Fish Fry | Sat, Nov 14 | 6–8 p.m. | Castell General Store. A meal, music, an auction and a raffle, all to help preserve the Castell Schoolhouse.
🏡 Around Town
Fredonia Peanut is hiring. Fredonia Peanut Co. & Hill Country Grains is looking for a mill worker in Fredonia. The company prefers someone with forklift or heavy-equipment experience who works well on a team and speaks English and Spanish. The posting lists competitive pay, health insurance and a week of paid vacation. Call 325-429-6211 or visit fredoniapeanut.com.
A green-thumb contest that runs through New Year's. The Mason County 4-H is holding a fern and ivy growing contest. Starter plants are at the Mason County 4-H office while supplies last, or you can bring your own. The contest wraps up Jan. 1, 2027. Details on the Chamber calendar.
🌡️ Hill Country Briefing
Weather. A wet stretch comes before a dry Halloween evening. Today turns cloudy with a high near 76, a chance of showers and thunderstorms from mid-morning, and showers likely after 4 p.m. More showers move through late tonight and all day Friday, with a high near 71 and gusts to 25 mph. Mason's forecast adds up to roughly a third to three-quarters of an inch, more under storms. The Weather Service office in San Angelo expects the heaviest rain, and the main flooding risk, farther west, mostly west of a line from Sonora through San Angelo to Sweetwater. Saturday stays mostly cloudy with a high near 77 and a good chance of daytime showers or a thunderstorm, then dries out by evening. Sunday is mostly cloudy and near 79. Clocks fall back an hour early Sunday morning.
Rivers and roads. The Llano River near Mason was running at 318 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning and slowly dropping. Expect it and the other creeks and rivers to rise after this rain. If water is over the road at a low-water crossing tonight or Friday, turn around and find another way.
Fire. Burn bans remain in Llano and Kimble counties. Mason, McCulloch, Menard and Gillespie counties have none. Check with your county before any outdoor burning.
Land and water. Ten dry days showed on the latest Drought Monitor (Oct. 20): about a quarter of Mason County is now marked abnormally dry, though almost none of it is in drought. Statewide, 70.2% of Texas is in drought, down from 78.4% the week before. The Highland Lakes are nearly full: as of Oct. 27, Lake Buchanan was at 95.7% and Lake LBJ at 98.4%. Brady Creek Reservoir was at 83.5%.
Agriculture & Livestock. Calf prices averaged higher at Producers Livestock/Cargile's Oct. 22 cattle sale, a smaller run of 477 head. Steers weighing 500 to 599 pounds averaged about $361 per hundredweight, roughly $54 more than the week before, and heifers in most weight classes averaged $7 to $15 more. At the Oct. 20 sheep and goat sale (5,866 head), lambs averaged $12 to $23 per hundredweight higher, light kid goats averaged $24 to $35 per hundredweight higher, and slaughter ewes held steady. On screwworm, federal officials confirmed the first U.S. case in wildlife, an elk taken by a hunter on a game farm in Pecos County, far to the west. No county in our area was named. Texas also adjusted another infested zone on Oct. 23, without naming counties, so check the Texas Animal Health Commission map for your address.
Market Snapshot. Cattle, Oct. 22 averages per hundredweight: steers 500 to 599 pounds, $361; steers 600 to 699 pounds, $342; heifers 400 to 499 pounds, $363; heifers 500 to 599 pounds, $341. Sheep and goats, Oct. 20 averages per pound: lambs 60 to 69 pounds, $3.69; kid goats 40 to 49 pounds, $4.18. Wool and mohair, federal rates for Oct. 28 to Nov. 3: ungraded wool repays at 28 cents a pound, and mohair dips to $7.65. Hay, Oct. 16 USDA report: good Bermuda round bales in the South Texas region around $75, with demand still good. Pecans: harvest is under way, Texas prices haven't been quoted yet, and the state crop is forecast well above last year's.
Season Watch. The youth-only deer weekend runs Friday through Sunday, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, and the general season opens Saturday, Nov. 7. With the screwworm news, federal officials ask hunters and landowners to watch for larvae in wounds, open or draining wounds and foul-smelling injuries on any animal, and to report them to animal health officials.
🪶 Featured Story
Porch Lights and Pumpkins
Most nights, a small town goes home early. The shops lock up, the square empties out and the only traffic is a pickup headed for the feed store before it closes. Then one night a year, the whole thing turns inside out. The porch lights come on, the doors stay open and everybody, from the toddler in the pumpkin suit to the rancher who swears he's just there to drive, ends up on the same few blocks. This Saturday is that night.
Five o'clock on the square
In Mason, the night starts on the square. From 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the businesses around the square hand out treats for Trick or Treat on the Square. It's a short walk with a lot of doors, which is exactly what a kid wants and exactly what a tired parent can manage.
The square will already be busy by then. The Fall Art & Wine Festival fills the sidewalks from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with local artists, nonprofits and Mason County winemakers, and it's free to walk. Out front of Murphy Creek Cellars, tamales go out by donation for the Family Resource Network. So a family could spend the afternoon on the square, grab a dozen tamales for supper and still be standing in the right spot when the first princess shows up at five.
A block away, First United Methodist Church hosts its Trunk or Treat in the west parking lot at 224 Broad St., also from 5 to 6:30. Between the two, Mason's kids won't run short of candy.
Trunks, tailgates and a drive-thru
If you grew up in the country, you may remember Halloween as a long drive between houses with a short walk at the end of each one. Trunk-or-treats fixed that. Folks back their cars and pickups into a parking lot, pop the trunks or drop the tailgates, decorate them and hand out candy from the back. The kids get forty doors in a few hundred feet, and the grown-ups get to visit.
Llano has two this year. First Baptist Church Llano hosts one from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of its Activity Center, open to all. Llano Regional Hospital runs another in its clinic parking lot from 6 to 9 p.m.
In Brady, Commercial National Bank is doing it drive-thru style from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The kids stay buckled in, the treats come to the car window and nobody worries about wet shoes. It's a good fit for little ones, or for any family that wants a quieter lap after a busy day.
Out past town, under the stars
Not every Halloween happens on pavement. At South Llano River State Park outside Junction, there's a trick-or-treat at 5 p.m. Saturday. At 7:15, rangers and volunteers lead Ghosts of the Night Sky, a look at the ancient objects of the October sky. Whether the sky cooperates depends on how fast this week's clouds clear, so check with the park before you load up. Even with a few clouds, it's hard to beat Halloween in a dark sky with the river nearby.
Treats that come in a cone
Some of the best Halloween stops aren't on a street at all. Mason Dairy Queen is giving a free kiddie cone to every child in costume Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. That makes it a fine place to break in the costume a day early and find out whether the cape works. In Llano, Llano River Creamery gives a free scoop to customers in costume all day Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
And for the big kids who still want a reason to dress up, the evening has plenty: Hallowine at Sandstone Cellars in Mason, costume karaoke at TruCountry Inn in Brady and a late costume party at Willow Creek Cafe & Club. The Rocky Horror Picture Show plays the Lantex in Llano both Friday and Saturday night. The full list is in Fresh off the Porch above.
The house that goes all out
Every town has one. It might be the house with a graveyard in the front yard, the one with a fog machine or the porch where somebody in a full-size costume sits still in a chair until a kid gets close enough. Some families start planning in September, and some have been at it long enough to see their first trick-or-treaters come back with kids of their own.
Then there are the quieter traditions. In most towns, somebody hands out full-size candy bars, and the word gets around fast. Maybe there's a grandmother who makes popcorn balls for the kids she knows by name, or a porch that keeps a separate bowl for the kids with allergies. These are the things kids remember twenty years later, long after the costume is lost to the closet.
We don't know who hands out the best candy in your town. You do. Tell us through the Share with The Townie form which porch in Mason, Llano, Brady, Junction or Menard has earned that reputation, or which house goes all out every year. We'd love to tip our hats to them in a future issue.
A few porch-light basics
None of this needs a lecture, just a few reminders from one neighbor to another.
Light the way. If you're handing out candy, turn the porch light on. It's the oldest signal in the book, and kids know it. A battery tea light inside the jack-o'-lantern holds up better than a candle on a breezy night and won't set anything on fire.
Be seen. Dark costumes after sunset are hard to see from a driver's seat. A flashlight, a glow stick or a strip of reflective tape fixes that.
Go slow on the square. For a few hours Saturday evening, the streets around every square in our towns belong to the walkers. Drive like it.
Mind the weather. Today and Friday look wet, and some creeks may still be up Saturday. The forecast calls for drying by evening, right on schedule.
Leave the light on
The best part of a small-town Halloween isn't the candy. It's that, for one evening, everybody's out on the same street at the same time, and you can't walk ten feet without running into somebody you know. Kids learn their neighbors by the treats they give out and the porches they stop at. Neighbors learn the names of the kids two streets over.
So turn the porch light on Saturday, even if you're only expecting a handful. Keep a bowl by the door. And if a small astronaut forgets to say thank you, smile anyway. Somebody did the same for you once.
💼 2 Things Your Business Needs to Know This Week
1. Give them a reason to come back next week
Walt says: Saturday evening, more people will walk past your door than on any ordinary Tuesday this month. Most of them will take a piece of candy and keep walking. Don't let them go empty-handed. Tape a small card to every treat or hand one to the parent: something good they can only use next week, like 10% off, a free coffee or a small gift with any purchase. Put an end date on it.
A card with a date on it gives people a reason to come back. Count how many come back, and you'll know whether the night paid off.
This week: print 100 come-back cards with a one-week expiration and keep them by the candy bowl.
2. Make your store the warm spot on the square
Nadine says: Trick-or-treat lasts an hour and a half. The families who stop in during that stretch are the ones who'll remember your name. Make it easy. Leave the lights on and the door propped open. Offer the grown-ups a cup of something warm while the kids pick their candy. Put a sign-up sheet by the register for a drawing, and send those names a thank-you note the following week.
People don't come back for the candy. They come back because they liked being in your store.
This week: set out a sign-up sheet and a small prize for a drawing, and mail the thank-yous by next Friday.
The Townie Business Circle digs deeper into the everyday decisions that keep local businesses steady.
🌿 Dear Hazel Mae & Fern
This week's topic: "What do I do with all the pumpkins after Halloween?"
Dear Hazel Mae & Fern,
We went a little overboard at the pumpkin patch this year. There are eleven of them on my porch, three carved and eight whole. Come Sunday I'll be looking at all of them. What do I do with them, and is any of it worth eating?
Signed, Pumpkin-Rich in Brady
Hazel Mae says:
Eleven! Good. You've got pie, compost and chicken feed sitting on that porch.
Start with the whole ones. The small sugar or pie pumpkins make the best pie. The big carving kind is stringier and more watery, but it'll still roast up fine for soup or bread. Cut it in half, scoop it out, roast it cut-side down until a fork slides in, and freeze the purée in two-cup bags.
Save the seeds from every one. Rinse them, dry them, toss them with a little oil and salt, and roast them low until they're crisp.
The carved ones aren't for the kitchen. If you keep hens, chop the clean, firm pieces and let the girls have at them. They'll love you for it. Anything soft or moldy goes in the compost. Pull out the candle wax first, break the shell into chunks so it rots faster and bury it under some leaves.
Fern says:
Hazel Mae has the practical side covered, so let me take the other half.
Those pumpkins did their job. They sat on your porch and told every kid who walked by that somebody inside was glad to see them. That's worth something, even when the faces start to sag.
There's a pull, come November, to hang on to every bit of fall a little longer. I'd let them go gently instead. Cook what you can, give the hens their share and put the rest back in the garden, where it'll feed next spring's tomatoes.
Seasons are supposed to turn. A porch cleared off on Sunday morning is ready for whatever comes next.
Got a question for Hazel Mae & Fern? Send it in: [email protected]
🧭 Porch Lights On: Horoscope for the Week of October 29, 2026
Notes from the porch swing: twelve porches, twelve kinds of welcome, and a week that ends with the light on.
Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19)
You'll be first in line for everything this week, from the trunk-or-treat to the last tamale. Slow down long enough to hold the door for the little ones behind you. Leading the pack is fun, but keeping everybody together, including the kid who lost a shoe, is the bigger job.
Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20)
Somebody always hands out the full-size candy bars, and this year it's you. You'll never regret the extra few dollars, and word travels fast on a small-town street. Generosity is the one habit that looks good in any costume, rain or shine.
Gemini (May 21 – Jun 20)
You can't settle on one costume, so wear two. Change halfway through the evening and watch the neighbors try to keep up. Your gift this week is turning an ordinary errand, even a trip to the feed store, into a story worth telling at the dinner table.
Cancer (Jun 21 – Jul 22)
Your porch is the one kids remember. Set out the good bowl, leave a chair for the tired parents and know every kid's name you can. Comfort is your costume all year long, and Saturday is when the whole street gets to see it.
Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 22)
The Odeon has a big screen and a Friday game against Brady. Lead the cheering, then lead the cleanup. You light up any room you walk into, and this week that room needs both your volume and your spare hands for the folding chairs.
Virgo (Aug 23 – Sep 22)
You've already sorted the candy into nut-free and everything else. Bless you for it. Put a teal pumpkin or a separate bowl on the porch so the kids with allergies know where to stop. Small kindnesses like that are your specialty, and somebody's mama will notice.
Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
You'll be asked to judge a costume contest somewhere this week. Give out more ribbons than anybody planned on. "Best Use of a Cardboard Box" is a real category if you say it is. Fairness and a little generosity look good on you.
Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
Halloween lands in your season, and you were born for a little mystery. Let the rain move through, then take the long way home Saturday night past every lit porch. A few spooky stories told by flashlight on the porch steps never hurt anybody.
Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
You'll want to hit three towns' trick-or-treats in one evening. Pick one and stay a while. Adventure isn't always about distance. Sometimes it's a square full of neighbors and the patience to walk it slowly, door by door, saying hello.
Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
You have a plan for the pumpkins already, don't you? Pie Sunday, compost Monday, seeds roasted by Tuesday. Your neighbors could use a plan like that. Share the pie recipe, the seed trick and your oven timer while you're at it.
Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Your costume will confuse everyone, and that's the point. Explain it to every kid who asks. Your odd ideas are the ones people remember long after the candy wrappers are gone, so don't tone them down one bit this week.
Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
Rain today, stars on Saturday. Spend a quiet evening listening to the weather pass over the tin roof, then go find a dark sky and a ranger with a good story. You'll come home with more than candy in your pockets, and a story to tell.
Until next week: leave the light on, wave at the costumes and save the seeds.
🐾 Pet of the Week: Oliver
Oliver's still looking! You met him here last week alongside his brother. Good news first: Oscar has been adopted. That leaves Oliver, and he's feeling a little lonely without his brother.
Oliver is a handsome young lad, about 8 months old now and healthy. He's great with kids and with other dogs, and in a home he's relaxed and easygoing, especially when he's got a toy to chew on. He'll make a wonderful family pet, and a family of his own would cure the lonesome spell in a hurry.
If Oliver Were Human…
I'd be the easiest houseguest you ever had. Point me to a spot on the couch and something to chew on, and I'm set for the evening. I like the kids, I like the other dogs and I like a quiet house just fine.
My brother found his people last week, and I'm happy for him. I just got used to having somebody around. I'm good company, and I'm ready to be yours.
Meet Oliver: Email [email protected] or call 325-347-6929. Second Chance Mason Animal Rescue is happy to tell you all about him.
Photo by Suzanne Demaree
See y'all next week!
Enjoy the porch lights Saturday, and watch the low-water crossings till the rain clears.
Next week: Nonprofit Month begins. Every Thursday in November, The Townie will introduce you to a few of the local organizations doing the steady work in our towns. We'll cover what they do, who they help and one concrete way you can pitch in. We start Nov. 5 with the folks who keep our neighbors fed, then turn to the groups that care for local history, and then to homes, health and pets. On Thanksgiving week, we'll bring it all together in a simple guide to giving locally. The lineup is set, and you'll meet the first group next Thursday.
Have something for The Townie? A local business worth knowing, an event coming up, or a porch that hands out the best candy in town? We'd love to hear about it.
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Editor's note: Event details come from public calendars, organizer posts and the hosts themselves. Weather, river and market figures come from the National Weather Service, USGS, the U.S. Drought Monitor, the Texas Water Development Board, USDA, APHIS and Producers Livestock/Cargile, current as of this edition's writing. Please check with each host before you go, especially after this week's rain.
