Everyone loves a fair. It could be a country event staged in a muddy field or a world-class extravaganza running for months in the heart of a big city, but fairs of all kinds always draw throngs of visitors to their attractions. The first fair I remember attending was the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. We attended five times, and I never forget that my grandmother loved the Mormon Temple Pavilion because she could sit in a comfortable chair in an air-conditioned room and watc

Here in West Orange County, we're treated to any number of Halloween celebrations. Long gone are the days when children draped under faded fitted sheets simply went door-to-door in search of a sugary fix. Halloween is big business now, with pop-up stores vending all sorts of complex paraphernalia. Cities and towns host trick-or-treaters in safe downtown environments staged by merchant associations, and church and school parking lots feature Trunk-O'ween events, guaranteeing c

1965. Jim is second row from the bottom, far right. I was originally front center but a bout of nausea caused the nun to bring me into the nearby sacristy for a whiff of smelling salts; then back to the photo opportunity, though now just steps away from the sacristy door, just in case... As our staff and volunteer crew at the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation prepare for our Oranges & Ornaments Festival of Trees , I can't help wallowing in the traditions of the 43 Christmases

I recently returned from a long visit to Lucca to attend the wedding of my second cousin once removed. After a day of dining receptions...