Gathering in the Glow of Fall

Gathering in the Glow of Fall

by Antionette Kerr

Fall has always felt like the perfect story. Maybe it’s because I’m a Libra, constantly searching for balance, or maybe it’s because the season itself demands a pause — a reminder to notice both beauty and change at the same time. The mornings turn crisp, the leaves burn golden before they scatter, and memory gets stirred like smoke rising from the barbecue pits that line our county every October.

This is the season when Edgar Allan Poe and his raven find their way back into my thoughts. Ravens, like memories, carry a certain weight. They remind us of what has been lost and what still lingers. Fall does the same thing. It scatters memories across the backroads of Davidson County — some sharp as the chill in the air, others softened by the light falling across our fields.

But fall here isn’t only about reflection. It’s also about gathering. Davidson County in autumn is alive with activity: the return of football games, concerts that fill our churches and theaters, farmers markets with the last of summer’s tomatoes, and yes — the annual Barbecue Festival. That smoky pilgrimage into Uptown Lexington is more than just a food event. It’s our county’s homecoming. Neighbors reconnect, families wander together, and first-time visitors try to understand why barbecue here is more than a meal — it’s identity, tradition, and pride wrapped up in one plate.

This year, Davidson Local is proud to be co-sponsoring several fall events with our local partners. We know that journalism doesn’t live only on a website; it lives where people gather. That’s why you’ll see us in the middle of the action, showing up where community is happening. And in the spirit of bringing people together, we’re also hosting our own Newsie Night Out — an evening to celebrate local storytelling, independent news, and the neighbors who make it possible.

For me personally, I’ll be celebrating fall in another way, too. As a birthday gift, I’ll soon take a trip to visit Poe’s home — and watch a Ravens football game. It’s the only team in the NFL named after a poet’s characters, and for someone who carries both a raven tattoo and a deep love of Poe, it feels like the perfect way to honor the season. In a few short weeks, I’ll be surrounded by purple and black, proof that poetry finds its way even into the roar of a stadium.

Fall teaches us something important: letting go isn’t loss, it’s preparation. The branches shed what no longer serves them, but they stand tall, ready for what’s next. That’s the kind of story Davidson Local wants to help tell this season — one about resilience, connection, and the beauty of community.

So when you see our team at the Barbecue Festival or at Newsie Night Out, come say hello. Share your story. Tell us what matters most to you. Because this fall, just like every fall, Davidson County is reminding us that the strongest stories aren’t just written — they’re lived.

For me personally, I’ll be celebrating fall in another way, too. As a birthday gift, I’ll soon take a trip to visit Poe’s home — and watch a Ravens football game. It’s the only team in the NFL named after a poet’s characters, and for someone who carries both a raven tattoo and a deep love of Poe, it feels like the perfect way to honor the season. In a few short weeks, I’ll be surrounded by purple and black, proof that poetry finds its way even into the roar of a stadium.

Fall teaches us something important: letting go isn’t loss, it’s preparation. The branches shed what no longer serves them, but they stand tall, ready for what’s next. That’s the kind of story Davidson Local wants to help tell this season — one about resilience, connection, and the beauty of community.

So when you see our team at the Barbecue Festival or at Newsie Night Out, come say hello. Share your story. Tell us what matters most to you. Because this fall, just like every fall, Davidson County is reminding us that the strongest stories aren’t just written — they’re lived.