It's that time of the year again.

Leaves are turning, pumpkins weigh-offs are the norm and corn mazes are in full swing.

That's right … Christmas is here.

A year ago this coming Saturday, I went to an area store to find prices on some tires. Much to my surprise, the Christmas decorations were already out.

Trees. Lights (yes, even those icicle ones that some haven't bothered to take down). Ribbons and brightly colored paper were there too.

I think in the next aisle, they had a few jack-o-lanterns and some candy for another occasion that's still a month away.

This year, reports have filtered in that a different store has already put out there assortment of Yuletide cheer.

Bah-humbug.

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I don't ever remember Christmas starting this early when I was a tot. Usually, everyone went to church, watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, got their bellies full, took a nap, woke up and watched football. Oh yeah, others in the room may have talked about shopping the next day.

But Christmas was never talked about before Halloween.

So my weekend plans will likely include taking a drive around to see the leaves, stopping by a roadside stand to get a pumpkin pie and then buying a 5-pound fruitcake.

You may have noticed something different on our weather pages lately.

If you're attentive and ambitious (with a little luck thrown in), you'll win a weather radio through a promotion between the Austin Daily Herald and KIMT-TV. Just fill out the blanks and send them our way. Tuesday, we'll pick two names and give them to the folks at KIMT. Meteorologist Adam Frederick will then announce the winners on the newscast.

You'll have chances to win the radios for the next three weeks, so fill out those forms and send 'em in. Good luck!

Also, we're planning a upcoming salute to our local veterans, through the publication of a special section slated to be released on Veterans Day.

We're asking local readers to submit their experiences and pictures to us, and then we'll publish it. The plan is to have readers send (or drop off) the information to news clerk Jaime Braun, who will help organize and compile these stories.

We're excited to hear about the different stories and experiences of local veterans, and are confident our readers feel likewise. Be on the lookout for more information.

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at :mailto:dan.fields@austindailyherald.com