When we moved back to Muskego in 1998 after a 7 hiatus, the common council decided to change the Trick or Treat hours and date to (who'd have thought) Halloween night, October 31st.  When it's dark.

I'll take that as a good omen we came back.

Since then Muskego deserves an 'atta boy' for doing October as it should be.  For starters, I'd recommend stopping by Basse's Country Delight for many reasons, the most important being that it's a family farm that is still operational just blocks from downtown.  And it hasn't fallen to a wrecking ball, front end loader and called some goofy name, home to 100 or so McMansions on 1/2 acre parcels.

Basse's is a delight when you walk up and walk in, abundant in the fruits of their labors, including pumpkins, apples, gourds, etc.  I feel like I am visiting a store in Cedarburg or points way north, and I'm happy to purchase whatever they have to offer in their rustic store.  Having a family whose roots are still firmly planted in Wisconsin soil and farming it as well, I feel a certain duty to support my local farmer. A recent trip had us spending only $22 to outfit the front yard for fall, complete with pumpkins, corn stalks about nine feet tall, and gourds. 

They even have their own website, http://bassescountrydelight.com/ which also gives a bit more information.

Also, if you've got a little time over the weekend, the third annual "Ghost Walk" sets the mood quite nicely, thank you. Co-sponsored by the Muskego Players (yep, a theatre group - who knew?) and the Muskego Historical Society, tours begin at 7pm each night on Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17, with the last tour starting at 10:30.  More info is available at 414-322-3879 (Muskego Players hotline) or visit muskegohistory.org.

Finally, for those of us who want the real thing, the Muskego Public Library is again bringing in  paranormal investigator and author, Terry Fisk, on Thursday, October 22nd at 7 p.m.  I've had the pleasure of sitting in on previous years' presentations and they are very interesting and entertaining.

I'm sure there might be more out there, but these are my top 3 - despite the flakes you've been seeing, it is still EARLY fall, and I'd encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities to celebrate it, right in your own hometown.