For West Coasters, October is certainly the calendar’s tipping point for weather. As the month progresses, the days are noticeably colder, wetter and shorter. If I was inclined to a little melancholy, I might become slightly depressed thinking about the coming months of rain, rain and yet more rain. Contrarily, October perks me up as the month that has two outstanding occasions: Thanksgiving and Halloween.

Thanksgiving, in my opinion, is the best holiday on our yearly calendar. We get to invite family and friends over for a great meal without the expectations of holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Thanksgiving also allows us to cook with the best of our local fall harvest. Vegetables leap to mind, particularly squash, beets and potatoes. I am especially fond of J.D. Farms' non-medicated turkeys raised by Jack and Debbie Froese and their family on their Langley farm. Of course, no Thanksgiving meal would be complete without pumpkin pie, and the pies made by Choices Bakery are truly an exceptional culinary treat.

If Thanksgiving is about sharing time with family and friends, then Halloween is about sharing a spooky laugh with the neighbourhood kids. If you happen to be around our West 57th store on Halloween night, stop by and see what we have in store (pardon the pun) for the neighbourhood kids. We close West 57th early to allow the staff time to create a fear-filled haunted house within the store. Admission is by donation with all proceeds going to the local preschool nearest the West 57th location.

Enjoy the month, particularly the holidays.

Mark Vickars
CEO, Choices Markets Ltd.