“The wind outside nested in each tree, prowled the sidewalks in invisible treads like unseen cats….From kitchen windows drifted two pumpkin smells: gourds being cut, pies being baked.”

― Ray Bradbury

Reserve your spot now to meet the XYZ Bandit and more at Haunted River: Ghostly Tales & Valley Lore at the Connecticut River Museum in Essex. A five-scene play and haunted walking tour takes place on the grounds of the museum over three nights on Friday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 27. This year is the third version of Haunted River featuring all new stories based on folklore, myths and legends of the Connecticut River Valley.

One of the stories features Deep River's famous XYZ bandit and the lady in black legend retold with all Deep River actors and Deep River-based dance troupe Wild Angels. Not only do we explore the identity of the women in black, the overlooked hero Harry Tyler will get the credit he deserves for risking his life and saving the town's money.

The tale of XYZ plus four other historically-inspired scenes will complete this year's guided tour on the CRM's campus the weekend before Halloween (Oct. 25, 26, 27). Tours run every 20 minutes from 6 to 8:40 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 6 to 7:40 p.m. on Sunday and last about 50 minutes. Cost is $17; children 7-12,s $13. (not recommended for children under 7). Tickets to Haunted River are limited and should be booked in advance by going online to www.ctrivermuseum.org or call (860) 767-8269, ext. 122. Parking is restricted that evening to street parking only.

Haunted River is part of the larger Myths & Legends project which was funded in part by The Kitchings Family Foundation. The Connecticut River Museum is located on the Essex waterfront at 67 Main St. in Essex. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The museum is located in the historic Steamboat Dock building with exhibits and programs about the history and environment of the Connecticut River; www.ctrivermuseum.org or call (860) 767-8269.

The 24th Annual Scarecrows Along Main Street in Old Wethersfield is a delight, enjoy a stroll along Main Street displays through Nov. 3. Free. Sponsored by the Old Wethersfield Shopkeepers Association.

Connecticut Architecture: Stories of (Selected) Places by Christopher Wigren, lecture on Oct. 24, 7 p.m., hosted by Wethersfield Academy for the Arts, 431 Hartford Ave., Wethersfield. Call (860) 436-9857 for details or to reserve a spot.

One of the best-kept secrets for an outing is High Hill Orchard, Fleming Road, Meriden, with scenic views plus apples and pears. No website; for hours of operation call (203) 294-0271. The driveway up is steep, but the cider and local produce is fabulous. For an overview, see New York Times story (2010).

Did you know? Connecticut College Arboretum has an interactive trail map app. Direct link here. Other maps are available to identify woody plants in the Native Plant Collection, Caroline Black Garden and Connecticut College campus. There is also a Mamacoke Island Geology Tour Story Map made by Professor Beverly Chomiak. Note that hours for walking may be curtailed due to EEE.

Connecticut's Notable Trees by Glen Dryer was published by the Connecticut Botanical Society and the Covered Bridge Press in 1989, 1990 and 1998. “The later editions were the same as the original, except that they were perfect bound and included updated Champion Tree Lists. Most libraries in the state have copies of the book, which is currently out of print.”

However, notable trees details (not exact locations) may be found online.

Connecticut Mosquito Management Program: The management of mosquitoes in Connecticut is a collaborative effort involving DEEP, CAES, and the DPH, together with DOAG and the Department of Pathobiology at UConn. These agencies are responsible for monitoring and managing the state’s mosquito population levels to reduce the potential public health threat of mosquito-borne diseases. For information on what can be done to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes and the latest mosquito test results and human infections, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program web site at portal.ct.gov/mosquito.

Mayflower II will spend the winter at Mystic Seaport Museum preparing for a May 2020 departure. The newly restored ship will make her debut in Boston from May 14 to May 19, 2020, for Mayflower Sails 2020, a free maritime festival at the Charlestown Navy Yard (details at www.mayflowersails2020.com), followed by her long-awaited homecoming to Plymouth, Massachusetts, on May 21, 2020.Once she returns to Massachusetts in spring 2020, the Mayflower II will be the centerpiece of the 400th commemoration of the Pilgrims’ arrival to historic Patuxet, now known as Plymouth.

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Tours at New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, Mass. Daily Highlights Tour tells stories about the history of New Bedford. To Catch a Whale Tour joins Captain Michael Taylor and his crew on a voyage aboard the whaleship Kutusoff in 1842. Held every other Saturday. Museum open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; admission $17; seniors (65 and older), $15; students 19 and older, $10; youth, $7. Note that Moby-Dick Marathon reader sign-up begins Nov. 8.

And looking forward, CT Main Street's next Legacy City series event to be held in downtown Meriden, CT, Thursday, Nov. 14 for “Imagine This!” with the City of Meriden and the Making Meriden Business Center.

The city's revitalized downtown and business possibilities will be featured 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Topics will include CT’s Opportunity Zones, Historic Tax Credits, Transit Oriented Development, a vibrant group of panelists and a walking tour of available storefront spaces. For information call CT Main Street, (860) 280-2337.

Note: Story updated Oct. 19.