"We said goodbye to summer here this last week, there's just no doubt about it. It just turned cold, the north wind blew in, and cold air, and the sun went down behind the cloud." The town's residents reluctantly turn on their furnaces, parents attend parent-teacher conferences, and a story about being left behind in Seward, Nebraska.

"It's been warm for us -- what we would consider warm -- temperatures in the 70s and sunny. Sort of like New Orleans but with essential differences." The town considers the benefits of a move to New Orleans, Roger and Cindy Hedlund clean out their cabin for winter, Mavis finally breaks up completely with Vern, and Pastor Liz hosts a delayed Confirmation mass and heads to Minneapolis for a massage.

"Homecoming week this week at Lake Wobegon High School, not that we expect alumni to come back--they don't. They come back, maybe, for the holidays." High school students prepare for the homecoming dance, Laurel returns to town from Long Beach, California after 22 years, and Pastor Liz worries after giving a sermon that everyone enjoys.

"It's been absolutely perfect, perfect autumn weather--temperatures in the 70s and a mist coming up off the lake in the morning and drifting on up the hill into the woods." Dorcas Hansen rehearses for the school play and Pastor Liz dreads a meeting with her friend Carol.

"It's been this gorgeous, gorgeous September, this beautiful time--so much happening." Lake Wobegon welcomes the arrival of fall, a bear surprises Irene Bunsen, then stays in town, starting a debate over who will pay to have it removed, and high school students take the ACT exam.

"It's fall at last. It was very warm--very warm--early in the week. It got hot. People were even thinking of bringing back their air conditioners but that would've shown weakness." College students return to their campuses, the oldest man in town takes up smoking again, Pastor Liz leads a camping trip, and Mr. Dehner's dog plays shortstop for the Lake Wobegon Whippets.