It’s like winning the lottery when there’s a movie at Lakewood Cinema 8 that doesn’t depend on demons or cartoon characters to carry the storyline. So my husband and I went to see “Downton Abbey: The Finale” last week, which he was more excited about than I was. It’s interesting how many men watched and enjoyed the series.

Perhaps men really liked Downton Abbey because it showed us people trying to find their footing as the ground constantly shifted beneath them. Men connected with it because it mirrored their own big questions: how do you live with honor when the values you were raised with are crumbling? Characters like Lord Grantham symbolized this tension–his world was falling apart yet he struggled to keep a sense of purpose. Bates’s steady presence, Branson’s rebellion against the old system, even Carson’s clinging to dignity in service, all spoke to the male search for meaning in times of upheaval.

What many men loved was watching these characters wrestle with permanence and change. What does it mean to be a man when the old way of life no longer holds? The estate itself became a symbol of this fragility: an institution built to last forever, yet constantly threatened by war, economics, and social change. Downton offered men a way to question their own place in a world where nothing stays the same, where meaning must be remade as the old ways fade.

Anyway, it was a great finale and, as a side note, there’s a guy behind the concession stand who really knows how to make and present a box of popcorn: butter in the middle and on top, shaken.

Also, right now, memorably beautiful weather. If you’re looking for something to do Sunday: head out to 2061 Foote Avenue Extension on Sunday, September 22, from noon to 6 p.m., where Basil and Bones will be hosting its Second Annual Fall Festival. It’s a celebration designed for the whole family, filled with free activities to keep kids busy and happy all afternoon. Picture a pumpkin party with hundreds of pumpkins to paint and take home, face painting from 2-5, and a petting zoo that runs all day. Marty’s Bubblegum Machine will also bring the fun with two interactive dance parties, starting at 1 p.m., where kids can sing, dance, chase bubbles, and laugh their way through the show.

The grown-ups won’t be left out either. Live music kicks things off with Charity Nuse and Sara Rafalowski playing from 12-3, blending folk, blues, Americana, and country in a way that feels like home. From 3:30-6:30, OsbornNash takes the stage with original songs and select covers, weaving rock, country, and jazzy folk into their set. DJ Carmello will keep the energy flowing between sets. And when the music makes you hungry, Basil and Bones has you covered with barbecue, pizza, burgers, smothered fries, Italian sausage, and more. Don’t forget the sweets–fresh baked goods, apple pie, cannoli, fried dough, plus Cups and Cones Ice Cream Truck for a cool treat. Drinks range from Pepsi products to beer, wine, and even Basil and Bones’ own wine slushes. It’s the kind of fall afternoon you’ll want to savor.

And don’t forget the Westfield Wine & Grape Festival Saturday. This year marks the third annual celebration, taking place September 19 and 20, rain or shine, in venues that showcase the best of Westfield’s grape-growing legacy.

The festivities will unfold both in downtown Westfield, as well as the Grape Discovery Center. The two locations create a perfect balance, with the downtown setting buzzing with small-town energy while the Discovery Center connects visitors directly to the region’s agricultural heritage. A free shuttle connects the two venues.

On a health note, a neuroscientist online reminded readers that sunlight, exercise, good food, good relationships and interesting hobbies are all as important as a handful of daily supplements. Maybe a nice walk in the woods this weekend is just what you need.

I’m going to recommend a new place for a stroll: Luensman Overlook Park. It’s one of those hidden gems in Chautauqua County that locals treasure and visitors are delighted to discover. Perched high on the hillside above Portland, this 70-acre park offers some of the most sweeping views in Western New York. On a clear day, you can see straight across Lake Erie to the Canadian shoreline, with vineyards, rolling hills, and farmland unfurling beneath you. It’s the kind of view that reminds you how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful corner of the state.

Have you been there?

The park offers some nice opportunities for hiking, though it’s more of a gentle, scenic experience than a rugged trek. The paths are generally easy to moderate, and pass through stands of hardwoods and pines, offering brilliant color in autumn.

Have a good weekend all. Celebrate this amazing season.