Waiting for Great Pumpkin and spaghetti

When planning late October meals at the Charlotte Senior Center, Monday Munch follows Cinderella’s wisdom: “I’d say the first thing you need is a pumpkin.”

Linus, of course, shows similar pumpkin fervor: “The Great Pumpkin will appear and I’ll be waiting for him! I’ll be there! I’ll be sitting there in that pumpkin patch … and I’ll see the Great Pumpkin. Just wait and see, Charlie Brown.”

At Monday Munch, pumpkin pie is just the grand finale. You’ll find plenty more on the menus.

Whether or not pumpkin is on the menu at the French Laundry in Yountville, California, we learn from The San Francisco Chronicle that this place is “so hot there’s a black market in reservations.” Read more.

Admittedly, at the Charlotte Senior Center you won’t get grilled Wagyu topped with fried barbajuan or sesame tuiles filled with red onion and crème fraiche crowned with salmon tartare and a fresh coat of sesame seeds — constructed to look like an ice cream cone.

But lunch seats are easy to come by and you’ll pay $345 less for a meal at our place.

Monday Munch
Oct. 24, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., or until the food is gone
Spaghetti with beef Bolognese sauce, Caesar salad, crusty garlic bread and pumpkin pie with whipped cream

Grab & Go Meal
Thursday, Oct. 27, pick up:10-11 a.m.
Beef steak, BBQ sauce, Italian rice risotto with diced tomatoes, Italian vegetables with black beans, wheat bread with butter, berry crisp with cream and milk. Registration required by the prior Monday at 802-425-634. Meals are provided by Age Well at no charge, but they appreciate donations.

Monday “Halloween” Munch
Oct. 31, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Join us for a festive Halloween lunch — with treat bags. We invite you to wear your mask, hat or costume. This attire is optional but there will be a costume contest. Don’t worry: No tricks. Festive food abounds: Assorted sandwiches, potato salad, pumpkin pie in a cup and Halloween surprise.

Grab & Go Meal
Thursday, Nov. 3, pick up: 10-11 a.m.
To be announced. Check the Charlotte Senior Center website.

It’s October, a time to relish the leaves. As it happens, Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” was named after a club, not autumn leaves, but in every season it’s ragtime to enjoy.

Impresario of Baroque music, Antonio Vivaldi, gave us the famous “Four Seasons.” Here’s the Netherlands Bach Society with “Autumn.” Here it is on the organ of St. Lamberti, Munster, Germany.

You can also find it on solo guitar, by a rock band and in lots more variations. Whatever you choose, we hope you also choose Monday Munch at the Charlotte Senior Center.