Well here it is fall already. Do you believe how fast this year has gone by?

Our little village has undergone quite a bit of change this past year. We have a new main highway, Route 104A, from the village sign at one end of the village to the village sign at the other end.

As you approach the business district, you can't help but notice all the improvements. We have new curbs, new sidewalks on both sides of the street from the Westend Express to the State Park entrance. Between the sidewalks and roadway, there are new mediums that now house new trees, shrubs and grass. The old-fashioned light poles that were installed a few years ago have been utilized, and there is now a new walkway over Vought's Creek.

Even though our poor little village was in such a disarray these past few months, all the hard work has finally started to come together.

The sewer project is moving along; they have all the pipes on Main Street laid and in place and are now digging up some of the side streets to run the sewer lines. Don't know how long all that will take, and I am sure folks will complain about the mess, but this too will pass. I know there are still quite a few folks that do not want the sewers, but you can't fight city hall; it is all done and the work will continue and folks will just have to adapt to it, I guess.

Our little village was quite busy through the summer months (even with all the mess) as always. There are a few new businesses and several have cut back hours or have closed for the season.

With gas prices so high, a lot of folks opted to vacation closer to home, which really reflected at the State Park. It operated at full capacity all summer. I understand because of budget cuts and high gas prices that the park will be closed this winter. The electric sites will be closing Columbus Day. The Drumlin area is already closed. As I understand, as of Nov. 1, the whole park will be closed until spring. There will be no cabins or pavilions available after that point until spring.

The Renaissance Festival was operated under new ownership this past season. I felt bad for them, as it seemed every weekend it was open, the weather did not cooperate. But it was as busy as always. I understand that the site will be utilized for the Halloween season. Hope this works for them. Think it is a great idea.

The Sterling Nature Center seems to have things going on all year long.

Again this year it will sponsor a Cayuga County photo contest. But interested photographers better hurry, the deadline is Oct. 8.

All photos must be taken within Cayuga County between Oct. 1, 2007 and Sept. 30, and be of nature related subjects. Official entry forms are available online at www.cayuganet.org/sterlingpark/.

The photo contest awards reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. An informal reception will be held to reveal and honor the 2008 Cayuga Naturally Photo Contest winners. There will also be a presentation of awards and prizes taking place at 2 p.m.

Then, the next program at the center will be apple pressing held Oct. 11. Attendees can help make apple cider the old-fashioned way with a people powered fruit press; visitors will help wash, grind, press, pasteurize and, best of all, taste fresh apple cider.

Also, the history of apples, apple products, the apple growing industry and the many different varieties of apples will be discussed. And visitors can taste test more than a dozen different varieties of apples grown by local orchards and then vote for a favorite.

And new this year, an apple cook off will be held. Visitors should bring in a favorite apple dish to be tasted and judged. Prizes will be awarded to the top vote getters. For details and contest requirements, send a SSAE to SNC, PO Box 216, Sterling NY 13156.

Lastly, a special thank you goes to Ontario Orchards of Oswego for supplying the apples for pressing.

Nancy Webster lives and writes from the village of Fair Haven