Dear Reader:

Thanks for picking up Issue 3 of the Phoenix! Although there was some scrambling to get this one out, it pulled together into what I think is a great issue.

I’m particularly excited about Diana’s article, “Top 5 Unconventional Things to Do With a Pumpkin.” I’m usually awful about coming up with article ideas ahead of time, but the idea for this one started around six months ago. It was after school, when Diana and I were in the media center with a couple of other Phoenix writers. Somehow, (probably through the Wikipedia Game, the best source of random cool information), we found an article on pumpkin boat racing. People racing boats made out of pumpkins. Really, how could we notwrite about that? Considering other articles we found about pumpkin-launching contests, Diana suggested an article about the top five things to do with a pumpkin. We decided to put it off until this October,when it would be more seasonally appropriate, but in between, Diana has written a slew of “Top 5...” articles, on topics from cool fruits to weird sports. I think this column is consistently one of the best and definitely the funniest in the Phoenix (although also consistently the article turned in latest; are you listening, Diana?), so I’m really excited to finally print the idea that started it all. If you’re interested in reading about pumpkin boats and pumpkin launching (and how could you not be?), check out the article on page 9.

Another addition I’m excited about is our Recipe Corner on page 13, which features apple pie cupcakes this week. In its first few years, the Phoenixhad a consistent recipe column, but it’s not something we’ve done since I’ve been Editor, so I’m looking forward to having it back!

Of course, there are plenty of other interesting articles this issue, ranging from movie, play, and music reviews to school news and a profile of Mr. Tessier, a student teacher at PHS. I’ll leave you to flip through, and I’d love to hear what you think! Feel free to email me at staff@phsphoenix.com, or leave a comment on our Facebook page. For now, thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Rebecca Beilinson

Editor