October is my nomination for THE best month of the year. Weather is great, kids are in school, all sports are at full tilt, and there are lots of parties and events on the schedule.

Birthday-wise in the extended Buzzy family, October is also one of the better birthday months. (Buzzy’s birthday fell on the 11th so that’s always a good excuse to have a party along with a drink or two.) Our Senior Chief Charlie Simms notches 97 on the 8th so there is another day to celebrate.

Other Buzzy birthday celebrations commence today as my sister Lila Hofmeister and Connie Lepper start the month off on a partying note.

On October 2nd, Kim Wiley celebrates her big day; Rita Murphy on the 7th; Charlie Simms and Mark Dominiak on the 8th; my Buzzy neighbor Doug Byrne on the 9th; Robby Norris 12th; Chief Larry and Janet Whitt 15th; Joey Porter 17th; Bev Hall 18th; Pam Koon 22nd; Puggie Pulliam 24th; Connie Lynch 25th; David Norris 28th; Winky the 29th; Ned Pratt and Bruce Price on the 31st.

Note that Germany’s famed October Fest is a bit of a misnomer because the majority of it is celebrated in September (click here for related story.) This year the Fest began on 16 September and ends on 3 October. Good bar room bet for you “When does the October Fest begin?”

When listing best German rock bands, these guys are usually mentioned. Appropriately named for October, here is Helloween: