Regret and anticipation form a sweet-and-sour stew about this time every year.

Even people who have been out of school for many decades sense a bit of the excitement that comes with the resumption of classes, school bus runs (please drive carefully) and fall sports headlined by football.

Clubs that took a summer break have started their meetings again. Fall festivals get underway, and this year we look forward to Mathews Market Days, the Guinea Jubilee, centennial of the Peninsula School House, the Battle of the Hook, the Gloucester Wine Festival, and (most likely) corn mazes, pumpkin-carving contests, and a number of school and church events that will get people outdoors and visiting.

Prime days are ahead for those who anticipate hunting and rock fishing seasons. Political junkies will get their fill of mudslinging (sadly) with the upcoming Virginia governor’s race. Then Christmas will be right around the corner.

At the same time, there is regret for the end of summer,...