Carlee Wright
Fall is Salem at its most spirited.
The season sharpens our senses — crisp air, crunching leaves, golden light — and our sense of belonging. It’s when our community feels most alive, gathering at concerts, strolling through galleries, sharing meals, telling stories that connect us to this place.
Arts, culture, and entertainment are the very spirit of community. They give us reasons to come together, to celebrate what makes us unique, and to honor the people who shape our lives. A song, a performance, a painting, a gathering in the park…each carries its own spirit, adding to the soul of Salem’s identity.
This spirit is enduring. It reminds us that stories linger long after their first telling, resonating in ways that connect us across generations and experiences.
At Press Play Salem, we believe in sharing these stories because they matter. They inspire, they challenge, they comfort, and they keep our community connected. We’re proud to be Salem’s only print publication dedicated to telling them…and to continue telling them for many years more, because our spirit is most vibrant when we share these stories.
So join us as we discover, celebrate, and honor Salem’s spirited season, and the stories that make it sing (or howl).
Thank you for sharing in Salem’s spirit…
Carlee Wright
Instigator (& Editor)
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 25 (Fall 2025)
We run on coffee, curiosity, and community. Fuel our next story (and our next cup) by supporting Press Play Salem. 👉 buymeacoffee.com/pressplaysalem
Author: Carlee Wright
Carlee Wright is a community instigator with a grand love for Salem and notably fashionable shoes (Hello, John Fluevog!) who turns waste into wearable art in her "spare" time.
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