By Bob Tagert

Well folks, another year is drawing to a close. Unlike last year when we had so much rain that we were continually walking around in wet shoes, this year has been remarkably sunny, dry and pleasant. Let’s hope the rest of the fall is like this.

This month welcome Scott Dicken to our list of contributing writers and his new column, Take Photos & Leave Footprints. Dicken is a writer, photographer, and owner of the travel website, TakePhotosLeaveFootprints.com. I guess our Road Trips each month were too close to home for him! I think you will enjoy what he has to offer.

This month our Road Trip took us back to the Shenandoah Valley and Muse Vineyards. This is a relatively new vineyard and is already producing some of Virginia’s finest wines. The vineyard setting at the foothills of the mountains along the meandering North Fork of the Shenandoah River is one of the most visual and relaxing spots in the Commonwealth. Sticking with this mountain theme, Julie Reardon introduces ideas for a fall filled afternoon in the To the Blue Ridge. In her Grapevine column, Nancy Bauer recommends some exciting Virginia wines to buy as gifts for the holidays, or any reason. Sarah Becker takes a look at kids, guns and violence in A Bit of History, written from the perspective of Parker A. Poodle. In Last Word, Miriam Kramer brings you “A Pocket full of Mysteries” from the Vault. In Open Space Lori Welch Brown discusses the Art of the Bounce Back! In Exploring Virginia Wines Doug Fabiolli talks about his tenure making Virginia wines and the balancing of that industry. The heat of the summer sun on the pavement is gone and your pet can navigate the city sidewalks without burning their feet. However, winter is on the way and Points on Pets tells you what to expect. Remember…adopt! In

Personality Profile this month we write about one of the main characters behind the explosion of the

restaurant scene in Old Town over the last few years. Meet Scott Shaw…mover, shaker and now sailor!

Finally I would like to apologize to our friend Chester Simpson. Chester is a world class photographer and a world class friend, and we use his photos from time to time with his approval. Last month we forgot to give him photo credit of the photo of Franco and Noe Landini that was used in the Dining Out column. There is a reason I am being so contrite. I am a guy with a camera who takes many pictures, hoping that one is good. Chester is a professional and needs only to shoot once. He already knows what he has, and that is art! We in the media business MUST protect these artist’s rights to their art form. See you at Landini’s Chester…I am buying!

Let’s not forget to celebrate our Veterans on the 11^th with a “thank you for your service today and every day”. Thanksgiving is fast approaching and this means the holiday season is right behind – we give thanks for all that we have and wish you all a very bountiful day.