Fall…The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

By Shana Karn, Co-Owner of The Second Knob Gifts & Antiques and Shots by Shana Photography
129 North St., Dryden

We all our have our own opinions about Central New York’s seasons and I am no different. I have always loved fall. Even when I understood fall to mean the end of summer, cooler temperatures and the return to school, it was still my favorite.  Later in life, fall remains my favorite season despite it being a daily reminder of the impending doom of winter and, worse yet, snow.

Who can resist the warm reds, golds and oranges bursting across tree-covered hills? Or the cool fall air and dew on the grass each morning? Even if you can resist those, what about the opening of cider mills (Hollenbeck’s Cider Mill is my favorite fall stop!), Honey Crisp Apples, pumpkins and mums??

Fall is the kick-off of a retail holiday season; it means swapping out an entire room of inventory at the shop—boxing the summer lines and breaking out fall! Our shop is bursting with oranges, reds and golds! We have pumpkins, leaves and acorns everywhere. We see an increase in customers throughout the week and a slow down on weekends when everyone is out and about enjoying festivals and cider mills. Fall is when many folks begin their holiday shopping—trying to avoid the chaos of shopping in December. At The Second Knob, we begin booking our hosted, private parties in the fall (and right through to Christmas!), which is a terrific way to get friends together for an evening of fun, chatting, wine and shopping! Hostesses earn up to 20% on all sales for the evening and use their store credit to do their own holiday shopping.

As a photographer, fall is a busy time, too! Seniors are wrapping up their senior sessions—hoping for colorful backdrops at their location shoots and loving the cooler weather and chance to wear new fall sweaters and boots. Fall weddings are almost as popular as summer weddings—with colorful pumpkin and mum centerpieces and favors. Families begin scheduling their holiday photos in September and October—and use these gorgeous fall pictures for their holiday cards.

Fall is definitely busy! Yet in spite of being busy and often chaotic (or because of this?), it remains my favorite CNY season and I enjoy each and every cool morning and colorful leaf. Now, don’t even get me started on my least favorite season…