It’s me! Marnie!

Shari asked me to take over writing duties for this blog. Please tell her how much you love it so she lets me do this again.

Creekwood, NY–September 29, 2026

How does fall arrive in Creekwood? It sweeps down from the mountains, sets the forests ablaze with bursts or yellow, orange, and scarlet, scatters leaves across cobblestone walks, and sends half the town in search of cider doughnuts. Ah! The Adirondack Mountains! There’s no place like home.

Our summer visitors have transitioned to leaf-peepers, apple and pumpkin shoppers, and those searching for the first signs of roasted chestnuts at Town Square. I love this time of year as the days grow shorter, and the town settles into an autumnal rhythm.

Mornings at Wild Creek Ranch are cold enough to leave mist over the pond and frosty dew heavy on the fields.

Fall Festival of Pumpkins, Squash, Late Season Flowers

Looking for the perfect jack-o’-lantern? The pumpkin harvest is in full swing. Teddy Jones has been a godsend. She’s agreed to man a booth at the local market, and she’s organized a crew to set up a roadside cart here at the ranch. If you’re looking for gourds to decorate porches and storefronts, pop by and check out the supply. We also have butternut and acorn squash ready for homemade soups. And Hubbard squash will be available soon. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to the Creekwood Library’s new roof, slated for spring.

If you want to brighten up your home or are looking for a hostess gift, the cutting garden is nearing the end of its season but continues to produce dahlias, asters, hardy mums, and the last zinnias and cosmos. Large, medium, and small bunches are available at the floral roadside stand near the ranch gate. Locals can take a bouquet and leave five dollars in the honor box. All proceeds benefit the Creekwood Police Benevolent Society.

Wild Creek Ranch Hay Maze

Construction is underway on this year’s Halloween hay maze. The route was mapped before the first bales were moved into place, although the design continues to inspire debate.

Tom has argued for more dead ends. Danny has insisted on marked exits and an emergency access path. The final plan includes both.

Maze festivities commence the weekend before Halloween. We’ve organized food trucks throughout, so please come for lunch or dinner. Visitors arriving after dark are encouraged to bring flashlights and remain on the marked paths. And we have great news! Our friends from Creekwood PD have volunteered to assist in minding crowds and clocking in visitors. Anyone not out in thirty-minutes, will be rescued. We don’t want a repeat … Anyway, if you know, you know.

Seasonal Hauntings

Don’t be alarmed by paranormal activity on the ranch—especially this time of year. With the Founders’ Cemetery across the road and whatever is going on outside Tom’s house, it’s been crazy. He’s staying with me until I can figure it out. But don’t be afraid. Tater and Dickens seem content with the wandering specters, and they haven’t raised my hackles either.

Creekwood Downtown

Around town, the weekend fall markets are in full swing. Town Square and Cobblestone Lane are filled with carts of apples, pumpkins, late-season vegetables, preserves, honey, maple syrup, candles, mums, and other local goods. The apple cider donuts sell out early, so anyone hoping to bring home a bag should get to town early to snaffle up an oily sack.

Hot apple cider has returned to Ryan’s Diner. Gram will add what she calls a “drop” of Fireball upon request. It’s more of a generous slug, but who’s complaining.

Creekwood is at its best in the fall. The town smells of wood smoke, apples, damp earth, and pine. The markets are busy, the ranch is bustling, and every day someone reminds us the first snow isn’t far off.

They’re right. Fall here is brilliant and brief. We’ll enjoy the harvest, support our neighbors, and eat the cider donuts while they’re warm. In the meantime, I have work to do at the ranch—and I need to find out what has driven Tom from his own house. My grocery bill is astronomical.

I’ll let you know what I find.

Before I go, let me recommend a trip to the Adirondack Mountains during this magical time of year. You won’t regret it. Er…well, as long as you don’t come for a holiday—if you know what I mean.

—Marnie

P.S. Please don’t ask Shari about upcoming book releases in the Marnie Reilly Mysteries series of psychological paranormal thrillers. She’s got something brewing and she will not discuss it. Stay tuned!