Examining Mohawk Mountain’s rich history
James Shay signed copies of his book “Mohawk Mountain Skl Area: The Birth of Snowmaking” after a talk at Hotchkiss Library of Sharon Feb. 2.
Matthew Kreta
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Holiday decorations bring cheer.
Kerri-Lee Mayland
I just put the skeletons away — literally — into their neatly labeled Halloween plastic bins, along with the faux cobwebs, flickering lanterns and haunted houses that feature tiny tea lights. As I closed the lid, I found myself eyeing — albeit hesitantly — the Christmas décor.
We just voted, and now I’m sprinting toward Christmas? Too soon? Maybe. But before you judge, hear me out.
As an interior designer with a seasonal division, decorating restaurants, hotels and client homes fills the calendar long before December’s first flakes fall. While many of you are still working your way through leftover trick-or-treat candy, I’m busy fluffing garlands, steaming bows and untangling strings of lights that somehow tie themselves into sailors’ knots. Full inventory assessments are underway, batteries and extension cords are being tested, and by Thanksgiving or shortly after, every wreath, tree and ornament will be perfectly placed.
As for my own holiday décor? Well, it’ll likely go up somewhere between Black Friday and Christmas Eve, when I’ll be tiptoeing through my living room at 2 a.m., stringing lights and hoping I get even half of it up before I run out of time.
This year, I’m seriously considering pulling a page from my freshman daughter’s and college-aged niece’s book. Their bedrooms in our home are already little winter wonderlands — soft fairy lights, flocked mini trees, cozy throws, flannel sheets and all the sparkly magic of the season. It’s less “Santa’s Workshop” and more “quiet snow globe” — peaceful, pretty and brimming with cheer.
And honestly, who couldn’t use a bit more of that?
Truth be told, there’s some science behind it. Studies show that people who decorate earlier tend to be happier. Psychologists say it triggers nostalgic feelings, releases dopamine — the “happy hormone” — and brings back joyful memories from childhood. In other words, twinkling lights really do make life brighter.
Still, not everyone’s on board with decking the halls before the bird’s even in the oven. So, in the spirit of balance, let’s do a deep dive into the pros and cons.
The Pros of Decorating Early.
Longer enjoyment: You’ve spent time, energy and maybe a small fortune on décor — why not enjoy it for more than three weeks?
Less stress: Getting it done early means you can actually relax come December. Imagine that!
Instant cheer: The world feels a little kinder under twinkle lights.
Creative freedom: You’re not rushed. You can style and restyle until it feels just right.
Built-in motivation: Once it’s up, you’ll want to keep everything else organized and tidy. (It’s the decorator’s paradox.)
The Cons of Decorating Early.
Holiday burnout: Start too soon and you might be ready to take it all down before Santa even arrives.
Thanksgiving confusion: A turkey centerpiece under mistletoe just feels ... conflicted.
Peer pressure: Not everyone’s thrilled about jingling bells before mid-November.
Storage shuffle: Early decorating means the Halloween bins and Christmas bins battle for garage space.
Power bills: All those early twinkle lights can add up — financially and electrically.
For me, it’s a toss-up. I’m not hosting Thanksgiving — I do a big bash in October for our traditional Canadian Thanksgiving — so we’ll be at my in-laws’ here in Lakeville. That might give me just the breathing room I need to lean into the sparkle a little sooner.
But really, in the end, it isn’t about when the décor goes up — it’s about what it stirs inside us. The scent of pine, the glow of soft lights, the little moments that slow us down and remind us what we’re grateful for. Whether in November or December, if your holiday décor fills your home with peace and your heart with joy, that’s perfect timing.
Kerri-Lee Mayland is an Emmy award-winning news anchor and designer. She lives in Lakeville.
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Black Crust Bakery uses organic, all-natural ingredients to make their bread.
Provided
Come to the Center on Main in Falls Village on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 1 to 4 p.m.,for an afternoon treat of fresh sourdough bread, local spreads, a selection of Harney & Sons tea, and good conversation.
Falls Village’s own Black Crust Bakery is also offering holiday-focused sourdough bread and croissants for all of your Thanksgiving (and snacking) needs.
Black Crust Bakery uses organic, non-GMO, high extraction flour combined with an aged sourdough starter, filtered water and Himalayan sea salt. All Black Crust Bakery bread is made by hand. Allowing time for fermentation provides the bread with a deep and complex flavor profile and makes it easier to digest. The bakery offers ancient grains like einkorn and kamut, and because of the minimal processing of these flours, many with gluten sensitivities are able to enjoy these ancient grain loaves.
This is a free event and purchases are not required.
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Dear EarthTalk: Isn’t it foolish to rebuild millions of homes in areas ravaged by floods or wildfires given the likelihood that this extreme weather will keep occurring? — Mike Aspen, Baltimore, MD
In recent years, the continued global prevalence of climate change has increased the number of weather-related catastrophes. In fact, eight of California’s 10 largest wildfires have occurred in the past five years, resulting not only in the loss of lives but also significant property damage. Due to this repeated phenomenon, many climate experts suggest that towns at a high risk of weather-related catastrophes should be abandoned, not rebuilt. Financial, logistical and safety factors indicate that rebuilding in low-hazard areas can be significantly more beneficial than rebuilding in high-hazard areas.
Building new homes in areas at high risk of flood or wildfire contributes up to $3 billion to disaster-related costs annually. At the current rate, experts predict that some 220,000 homes could be built in locations exposed to high wildfire hazards by 2030, making for unprecedented financial loss from property damage. In the case of Greenville, California, for instance, rebuilding is predicted to cost around $1 billion, yet most residents do not plan to return, largely because experts think the area could be destroyed again in the next 30 years. “Governments can save billions of dollars each year and keep people safe from disasters by building just a small percentage of new homes away from the highest-risk areas for wildfires and floods,” says Ryan Ness, Director of Adaptation at the Canadian Climate Institute.
To make matters worse, the use of fire-resistant material to rebuild is costly and thus not required by law, leading to increased risk. Though urban planners stress the need for fire-resistant design, officials often push for rapid reconstruction, thus waiving environmental permits and zoning regulations.
Beyond the lack of fire-resistant material, the location of rebuilt homes increases the dangers that residents face as the frequency of weather-related disasters such as droughts, floods and wildfires has increased fivefold since 1970 and have led to the deaths of 2 million people globally. Furthermore, wildfires do not just destroy homes—they degrade air quality, water supply and forests, causing permanent detrimental effects.
The Canadian Climate Institute recommends building housing and infrastructure in low-hazard areas, moving away from high-risk zones. Another recommendation is to create, maintain, and make publicly available maps that show where hazardous areas are to warn potential residents. Moreover, the Institute also suggested reforming disaster assistance programs as a way to deter risky urban development.
EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk.
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