IN BLOOM: We bet you didn’t guess the topic of the first day of Autumn column would be Easter lilies. Specifically, the Easter lilies that are blooming in Mount Jewett right now.

Lorraine Thornton of Mount Jewett called us on Thursday to tell us about them.

“I wanted to see if anyone else has Easter lilies in bloom. I do; they’re beautiful,” she said.

She explained they usually bloom around Easter time — which is six to seven months away.

She has two pots of the blossoms that are both on her porch.

Any other reports of odd botanical behavior in the area?

The Autumnal Equinox — the first day of fall — is marked by the sun passing directly over the Earth’s equator. With the Northern Hemisphere tilting away from the sun for the next six months, we’ll start experiencing colder weather and shorter days.

In our time zone, the equinox will happen at 4:02 p.m. today, according to Earthsky.org.

If you’re looking for a way to welcome the season this weekend, Saturday will be the Autumn Classic band competition in Bradford.

Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. at Bradford Area High School’s Parkway Field, and opening ceremonies will start at 4:30 p.m.

Watch the Bradford Marching Owls perform a collection of songs of mystery and espionage from some of your favorite spy films.

And there’s always the plethora of local woodland to visit.

Between the Allegheny National Forest, Allegany State Park and the many walking trails across the region, there’s sure to be a quiet spot not far from home where you can embrace the changing of the season in nature.

Today’s forecast from the National Weather Service in State College is calling for an unseasonably warm 82-degree day with early fog then sunshine.