October 1, 2025
PUBLISHER’S CORNER
Whispers of Autumn
By Kari Smith
It’s a season that tugs at my heartstrings, evoking decades of memories. Pumpkins, those humble orange orbs, have been my autumn companions since childhood, but their story stretches far deeper.
Originating in Central America over 7,500 years ago, pumpkins were first domesticated by indigenous peoples of Mexico and the southwestern U.S. They weren’t just food—seeds for sustenance, flesh for stews—but symbols of abundance in ancient rituals. Columbus carried them to Europe in the 1490s, where they morphed into fairy-tale lanterns in Irish folklore, evolving into our jack-o’-lanterns by the 19th century. In America, they became Thanksgiving staples, their vines weaving into the fabric of harvest festivals.
Yet, it’s the joy they sprinkle over families that catch my breath the most. As a child, I trudged through muddied fields, selecting the largest pumpkin I could find. Back home, knives in hand, we carved ghoulish grins, and pumpkin seeds were saved and roasted. These moments knit us tighter — passing down fall recipes from my own grandmother’s tattered cookbook, watching eyes widen at the first bite of spiced pumpkin bread. In a world rushing by, pumpkins pause us, fostering bonds that outlast the frost.
As you look at the orange globs sitting on porches in the week to come, let it be a gentle reminder that simple seeds sow endless delight. Here’s to many more harvests.
