Let FabuLyss fall festivities begin!

We are officially in Oktoberfest, and what a boo-tiful month it will be. I love summer, but I love fall even more! There’s nothing better than wearing jeans, a new sweater, and walking through Central Park as the leaves start to change colors.

How do you celebrate fall? Have you gone apple- or pumpkin-picking? I will be taking my boys to the family-owned and operated apple orchard, Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, located in North Salem, in Westchester County. Harvest Moon hosts a Fall Festival every weekend until Halloween with live music, pumpkins, bounce houses, hayrides, face painting, DeLysscious freshly made apple cider doughnuts, and wine tasting for the parents!

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard [130 Hardscrabble Rd. in North Salem, NY, (914) 485–1210, www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com].

Of course, Halloween is right around the corner. Did you pick out your FabuLyssly creative costume yet?

Looking for something FabuLyss to do on Halloween? The DivaMoms Annual Spooktacular will be taking place at Dylan’s Candy Bar on Friday, Oct. 30 from 10 am to noon. Cupcake decorating, monster mash dancing, costume contest, candy fun, games, and much more. Perfect for babies ages 6 month to 3 years of age.

Dylan’s Candy Bar [1011 Third Ave. between E. 60th and E. 61st streets in Lenox Hill, (646) 735–0078].

If you’re in the mood for a fun treat this Halloween, check out MarthaStewart.com for “great-tasting, ghoulish-looking cupcakes that are a wickedly easy treat for a party!” (www.marthastewart.com/316456/wicked-witch-cupcakes).

Lyss Stern is the founder of DivaLysscious Moms (www.divamoms.com).

Martha Stewart wicked witch cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:

24 brown mini M&Ms plus more for filling (optional)

Hershey’s Chocolate Cupcakes

Dirty Green Simple Buttercream (See below)

12 chocolate sugar cones

1 pound black licorice laces, cut into 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch and 2-inch lengths

12 candy corns

DIRECTIONS: Using a melon baller, scoop out the center of each cupcake, and fill with mini M&Ms, if desired.

Cover the tops of each cupcake with a generous mound (about 1/3 cup) of buttercream. Insert one candy corn into each cupcake to form a nose. Using brown mini M&Ms, insert two into each cupcake to form eyes. Place two short lengths of licorice above the eyes to form eyebrows for the witch. Place the shorter licorice lengths above the eyebrows to form bangs. Place an inverted cone on top of bangs, pressing gently into buttercream to adhere. Place the longer licorice lengths under the cone hat to form the hair.

Dirty Green Simple Buttercream

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 pounds (6 sticks) butter, softened

1 pound confectioners’ sugar, sifted

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

Red and green food coloring

DIRECTIONS: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the butter, sugar, vanilla and salt. Begin beating on low speed, increasing to high for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Using food coloring, tint the icing dirty green.

The Parkside School

Empowering Students with Language-Based Learning Differences Through Comprehensive Education and Support The Parkside School offers a comprehensive and nurturing educational experience for students with language-based learning differences and disabilities. Our program is designed to support the unique academic, social, and emotional needs of each child, empowering them to thrive in a structured yet flexible learning environment. At the heart of Parkside&rsquo;s approach is a robust curriculum that integrates literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts, all tailored to accommodate diverse learning styles. Our team of dedicated teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and counselors collaborate closely to provide individualized instruction and therapeutic support, ensuring that each student receives a holistic education. Small class sizes enable our staff to build strong relationships with students, fostering a deep understanding of their strengths and challenges. Parkside&rsquo;s multi-disciplinary team utilizes evidence-based interventions such as The Zones of Regulation and executive functioning strategies to promote self-regulation and problem-solving skills. Our occupational therapy program supports sensory integration and fine motor development, while speech and language services target communication skills, helping students express themselves more effectively and build stronger connections with peers. Beyond academics, Parkside emphasizes social-emotional learning through a community-centered approach. We provide students with a safe, supportive space to build self-confidence, social skills, and independence. Our inclusive community is further strengthened through partnerships with families, who are encouraged to take an active role in their child&rsquo;s educational journey. At Parkside, we are committed to helping children discover their potential, preparing them not only for academic success but also for meaningful, fulfilling lives.

Extended Home Care

Extended Home Care is specially licensed to serve cognitively and neurologically impaired individuals across the age spectrum in all five boroughs. We offer in-home support to meet your family member's health, developmental and safety needs by providing Skilled Nursing, Home Health Aides, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Social Work.

Windward School

A coed, independent day school exclusively for students with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities, The Windward School enrolls students in grades one through nine. 98% of Windward students move on to mainstream schools after completing The Windward School's academic program. The Windward School is nationally recognized for its development of instructional programs designed specifically to help students achieve language proficiency. The School&rsquo;s academic curriculum is research-based and multisensory in nature and is designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in school and return with confidence to mainstream educational settings.