BE MERRY

Every year as the weather shifts from uncomfortably warm to a little chillier than we expect and there is always an awkward transition phase. Sweaters are too warm in the afternoon and t-shirts aren't enough protection from the breeze. It's nice to take this time of year to spend a few nights inside, getting back to the basics.

If you've missed the weekly piano performance by Willie Weppler at Mace Mead Works, Friday is a perfect oppor- tunity to make it up. Weppler is a noted young jazz pianist and is exactly what a Friday needs when combined with a glass of Mace's mead. Weppler a;sp plays as a keeper on the Dayton High School soccer team but hopefully he won't have to dodge or catch anything while he tickles the ivories.

If piano music and mead seems a little too mellow, the Grainhouse Grill has a performer who is sure to at least bump up Dayton's star power. Country singer Kate Turner will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, at the Main Street grill.

Turner, originally from Burbank, will be passing through Dayton on her path to rising stardom. Turner has been noted on several local news networks as a major up and comer, making her appearance in town another stepping stone on her tour to success.

The highlight of October comes at the end of the month. The leaves have changed and fallen and the general rowdy scatter for a clever Halloween costume dominates end of the month discussion.

For families and children looking for events at the end of the month, there will be safe trick-or-treating in Dayton, Waitsburg and Walla Walla on Halloween.

On Wednesday, Oct. 31 at the Times offices in Dayton and Waitsburg, Editor Jillian Beaudry and Reporter Morgan Smith will be handing out candy to children in costume and taking their photos for the next edition of the paper. Stop by both offices between 3:30 and 5 p.m. on Halloween! The Waitsburg office is located on Main Street and the Dayton office is behind Manila Bay Café adjacent to the Columbia County Courthouse. See you there!

In Dayton, safe trick-or-treating starts at 4 p.m. Local businesses up and down Main Street will have treats for local children to pick up to help keep youngsters safe while they have fun.

In Walla Walla, trick-or-treating will run downtown from 3 to 5 p.m.

The alternative spin on a family tradition is a great way to bond before dark and maybe even get the kids in bed at a reasonable hour, permitting they don't smuggle too much candy into their rooms.

According to the Bon Appétit magazine website, there are 10 candies we should all stock up on in order to keep local sweet-toothed minors satisfied.

Hershey's Krackel, Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins, Take 5, Pop Rocks, anything sour or hot (Warheads, Sour Patch Kids, Atomic Fireballs, Hot Tamales), Blue Razz Blow Pops, Whoppers, Snickers, Candy Corn and if all else fails, anything full size.