I like September. The pace begins to shift from summer. The days are still warm, but the evenings invite us back outside. Football returns, fall traditions begin, and neighbors seem to find a few more reasons to gather.
One of the things I appreciate most about publishing NTxConnect is the opportunity to celebrate what makes our community distinctive, not just the events or new businesses, but the people, personalities and stories that become part of our shared folklore.
This month’s Community Hero certainly fits that description. For years, New Town residents have debated the identity, and even the hero or villain status, of the mysterious “Midnight Pruner.” Now, fourteen years after the first branches were clipped, we finally hear the story directly from the person behind the legend. What began with a runner repeatedly encountering low-hanging branches became a neighborhood controversy, a local news story and, eventually, a beloved piece of New Town culture.
We’re also excited to welcome Dierbergs Market at 370, an important milestone for the continued growth of our broader area. At the same time, we remain especially grateful for neighborhood businesses like Marsala’s Market, which provide the neighborly service and convenience that only a truly neighborhood business can offer. As our area grows, we hope residents will continue supporting the small businesses within our community while enjoying the additional choices that new development brings..
September also brings Chalk the Walk, when sidewalks become canvases and neighbors of all ages get to share their creativity. This year’s Route 66 theme should inspire some especially memorable artwork. The contest winner’s creation will be the cover of next month’s NTxConnect.
As fall arrives, I hope we’ll all take time to enjoy the cooler evenings, meet someone new, support a local business and appreciate the colorful characters who make this more than simply a neighborhood. New Town is at its best when we participate in it together.
Paul Dinkins
Publisher, NTxConnect