Reminder: Real estate taxes are due Nov. 1, which is a Friday.

***

Holiday greetings to all our Hindu friends and neighbors for the celebration of Diwali on Nov. 1.

***

Garden report: The hoses have been put away and the outdoor faucets shut off. The geranium, sweet William, marigold, black-eyed Susans and petunias still had blossoms Monday.

***

Myra Lenburg of Amherst sent me an email about the Halloween Pawty on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the dog park. The event includes a costume contest, raffle prizes and a lot of picture-taking. Suggested donation is $5. The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 27.

***

The Amherst Recreation Department is sponsoring its Spooktacular Sunday, Oct. 27 with downtown trick or treating with costume parade on the Common from 1 to 1:30 p.m. and the haunted house and kids’ carnival spooktacular from 1:30 to 4 p.m at the Bangs Center.

***

Halloween is Oct. 31, which is a Thursday. I have seen signs for “Trunk or Treat.” How much fun is it to say “Trick or Treat” to an open trunk lid? Where is the anticipation of ringing a doorbell, waiting for it to open and seeing what is offered?

***

My Orchard Valley neighbor Phyllis Jordan sent me an email about the Valley Light Opera production of “The MacAdo,” a Scottish twist to “The Mikado.” Performances are Nov. 1-3 and 8-10. Fridays are 7:30 and Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. at the Academy of Music in Northampton. Michael Greenebaum will give a talk at 1 p.m. before matinee performances. Tickets: VLO.org.

***

Send items for the Lehrer Report to phyllehrer@gmail.com.