Haunted MEET THE SPOOKS, SPECTRES, AND SPIRITS WHO INHABIT BANGOR — AND BEYOND
FEATURES
28 BREAKING THE MOLD
Former Maine jail turns into bustling business in Skowhegan
34 BEST RESTAURANTS
The votes are in! Your picks for the area’s best restaurants begin on page 34
54 SMOKE SIGNALS
It’s a giant round-up of Maine barbecue joints, local sauces and rubs, recipes to try at home, and more smoky goodness
06 MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS Get to know our Bangor Metro team 08 WHAT’S HAPPENING
Local events and a pop quiz 14 OBSESSIONS
What we can’t get enough of this month
64 THE VIEW FROM HERE
On a cleaning frenzy
ARTS & CULTURE
Enjoy
Visit
FOOD
Simple,
Branch
Local
SpookySeason
BANGOR IS A WEIRD AND WONDERFUL PLACE. As the spooky season approaches, our little city melds with its alter ego, Derry, to become just a little more creepy than most places.
For this fall issue, our writers jumped at the chance to write about Halloween fun, scary stories, haunted places, and all things spine-tingling. We’ve got ghost tours (Castine hosts a fun one — see page 30) and a deep dive beneath Mount Hope Cemetery to visit its most infamous “residents.” Mobsters, madams, and murder-victims? Oh my! It all starts on page 26.
We’ve got a pub crawl around Portland for creepy cocktails (page 14), haunted hikes to traverse (page 16), and did you know Maine has a shocking number of ties to the Salem Witch Trials? Check out page 36.
On the more wonderful than weird side of things, don’t miss the children’s books that come to life on page 8, and do you remember when Bob Dylan and Joan Baez came to town 50 years ago? Richard Shaw does — see page 10.
I’m not sure we’re even allowed to call this a Halloween issue without mentioning Derry’s own King of the macabre. It’s a popular time of year for Stephen King fans to make the pilgrimage to Bangor. There’s his house with its creepy fence to admire, selfies to take in front of the Paul Bunyan statue (while praying it doesn’t come to life), and the Standpipe to visit — just keep an eye out for Pennywise. And this year, there’s a birthday celebration on Sept. 21. Check out page 6.
Stephen King isn’t the only thing that makes Bangor an especially creepy place. The Bangor Opera House is haunted by not one, not two, but three different ghosts — and they all have names. Flip to page 32 for more.
And when you’re done falling in love with all the weird and wonderful parts of our great city (did you know Hannibal Hamlin’s death couch is on display at the Bangor Public Library — see page 13), then it’s time to fall in love in a whole different way.
Just to be a little extra weird, this issue also contains our Marry ME wedding section. Starting on page 42, find tips from a Maine wedding planner, a local option for tasty treats, dress shopping tips, and more. There’s lots to love about this magazine!
Bangor Metro is published 5 times annually by Bangor Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
This magazine may not be reproduced in whole or part in any form without the written permission of the Publisher.
Opinions expressed in either the editorial or advertisements do not represent the opinions of the staff or publisher of Bangor Metro magazine. Advertisers and event sponsors or their agents are responsible for copyrights and accuracy of all material they submit. Bangor Metro magazine to the best of its ability ensures the acuracy of information printed in the publication.
Inquiries and suggestions are welcome and encouraged. Letters to the editor, story suggestions, and other reader input will be subject to Bangor Metro’s unrestricted right to edit and publish in the magazine both in print and online.
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COVER ART: tk
Go Team!
WE’RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THESE TALENTED & CURIOUS WRITERS SHARING STORIES THIS MONTH.
INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR RANKS? EMAIL AALLEN@BANGORDAILYNEWS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WRITING FOR BDN SPECIAL SECTIONS.
ANNE GABBIANELLI has enjoyed a robust career as a freelance writer, broadcast journalist, and college professor. Her articles about the fascinating people and history of Maine have been published in several magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals. She finds her subjects as she travels throughout the state, discovering hidden towns, visiting museums, and exploring local lore. Anne is also a hospice volunteer who meets amazing people who often share their life stories with her.
RICHARD SHAW is a Bangor native who lives and breathes local history. In 2021, the city named him its honorary historian and presented him with a key to the city. When Dick isn’t writing freelance articles, providing television commentary, or compiling best-selling vintage photo books for Arcadia Publishing, he might be photographing old graveyards or haunted houses. His long careers with the Bangor Daily News and the City of Bangor have provided him with fodder for untold stories and editorial opportunities. On his horizon is a possible novel involving Bangor’s colorful lumbering era.
JOANNA SHAWN BRIGID “BRIDEY”
O’LEARY was born in Alexandria, Virginia, grew up in central Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, and now calls Sebec, Maine home. She graduated from Harvard University with a degree in English and earned a PhD in Victorian literature from Rice University. Bridey has served as a culinary consultant, food historian and travel/food critic for media outlets such as The Nosher, Let’s Go travel guides, Wine Enthusiast, HuffPost, the Onion, Texas Highways, Houstonia, and ColinCowie Weddings. Follow her writing and research projects at www.brideyoleary.com.
JUDY HARRISON is the award-winning, freelance theater critic for the Bangor Daily News. She retired in 2023 after covering the courts for more than 20 years. Harrison has lived in Little City, Bangor’s best neighborhood, since February 1984.
CRYSTAL SANDS is a writing professor, homesteader, and editor of the journal Farmer-ish, a journal dedicated to farming arts and education. When she is not saving seeds or tending chickens, she is writing daily for the Farmer-ish blog. You can follow her adventures in homesteading in rural Maine at www.farmer-ish.net.
CASEY BERNARD is a freelance writer, marketing research consultant, and aspiring novelist. When she’s not writing, she’s expanding her home kitchen garden in the summer and knitting in the winter. You can find her very occasional newsletter with recipes, miscellaneous musings, and poems at ThisIsYummy.substack.com.
KATIE BINGHAMSMITH is a full-time freelance writer. She’s a staff writer for websites such as Scary Mommy, Grown and Flown and The Girlfriend. You can also follow her fashion adventures on Instagram @katiebinghamsmith.
AUTUMN 2025
SEPT. 21
STEPHEN KING’S BIRTHDAY CARNIVAL
Celebrate Stephen King’s 78th birthday in his hometown! Constant Readers are invited to a free Stephen King-themed old-time carnival on Cross Street under the Umbrella Sky Project, from 2-4 p.m., and later in the day, a “Derry, Maine Beer Garden” in the parking lot across from 2 Feet Brewing on Columbia Street, where tickets are required, 4-8 p.m.
Bangor businesses and residents are sponsoring the carnival.
Come dressed as your favorite King character, and enjoy carnival games, food, a “Stand By Me” photo booth, and other SK-themed games and crafts.
The carnival ends with a “Pet Sematary” pet parade down Columbia Street, at 3:45 p.m., with the line up starting at 3:30 p.m.
The Derry, Maine Beer Garden includes Bangor-area brews, and attendees get a souvenir Derry, Maine cup, SK-themed appetizers and cake, and there will be adult amusements.
SEPT. 21
MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY WALKING TOUR
Learn little known facts about some of Bangor’s famous — and infamous — residents during our guided tour. Hear about the importance of symbolism in the gravestones and get a chance to take in some of the city’s beautiful vistas. Built in 1834, Bangor’s 300 acre Mount Hope Cemetery is the nation’s second oldest garden cemetery. Garden cemeteries were created as much for living as for those who had passed on. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time; please e-mail curator@bangorhistoricalsociety.org. Tickets are $12 per person.
OCT. 4
PAWS ON PARADE
The Bangor Humane Society is celebrating its 32nd Annual Paws on Parade back on the Bangor Waterfront. This is the organization’s largest fundraiser, with funds raised to provide humane treatment and successful adoptions for more than 2,000 animals each year. Registration is $40. For more information, visit bangorhumane.org.
OCT. 4
DOWNTOWN BANGOR FALL
SIDEWALK ART FESTIVAL
Celebrate ARTtober with the annual Downtown Bangor Fall Sidewalk Art Festival. Shop for unique items from our jury-selected artists from all across the state while enjoying Downtown Bangor
in the most beautiful season of all. Artists and artisan crafters showing and selling their work will fill Harlow Street and the Abbot Lot in front of the Library. Plus live entertainment, demonstrations, food trucks, and more.
OCT. 12
POUND THE PAVEMENT 5K COLOR FUN RUN/WALK
Runners and walkers in the 13th annual Pound the Pavement event will be doused from head to toe in a different colored powder at each kilometer mark. Participants wear white at the starting line and finish the race plastered in color. Once the run/walk is over, the fun continues at the finish line with a visit to the Sea Dog and two (2) complimentary beverages for all those 21 years of age and over. Don't miss the party with photo ops, friendship, and celebration. All proceeds go to support the Purple Iris Foundation, helping individuals living in Maine who are dealing with the effects of cancer.
NOM NOM NOM! Can you name the towns that celebrate these uniquely Maine foods?!
Find the answers below!
THE BOOKStep into
VAN DUSEN’S BOOKS COME TO LIFE
STORY
& PHOTOS BY ROBIN CLIFFORD WOOD
Award-winning author/illustrator Chris Van Dusen has delighted children and their parents with his whimsical books for 25 years, starting in 2000 with “Down To the Sea With Mr. Magee.” Now readers can experience Van Dusen’s books like never before, thanks to Maine Maritime Museum’s eye-popping new exhibit “Upon That Isle in Maine” in Bath. But don’t imagine this exhibit is just for kids; it’s a dazzling, immersive experience for visitors of every age.
I was treated to a personal tour of the exhibit from Amanda Pleau, the museum’s marketing and communications manager. Van Dusen’s books are steeped in the landscapes and seascapes of Maine, particularly the four books featured in the exhibit: his first Mr. Magee book, “The Circus Ship,” “Hattie and Hudson,” and “Big Truck, Little Island.” Thematically, they dovetail with the nautical content of Maine Maritime Museum.
The exhibit has been “wildly popular,” said Pleau. “Tickets to his readings sell out in days…he’s the Taylor Swift of children’s authors in Maine.”
Part of the exhibit’s success, she said, is due to Van Dusen, who is a “meticulous record-keeper” and was extraordinarily generous with his time and his personal archive.
Van Dusen said he was “blown away” by the scope of the exhibit. When he was first approached with the idea, he imagined a few of his works hanging in a conference room, not an entire dedicated gallery with animations, video and audio stations, giant reproductions of his characters, and a retrospective of his creative career.
The exhibit covers Van Dusen’s childhood influences, his education in fine art, and his editorial work and illustrations for children’s magazines like Cricket and Nickelodeon. You can see pictures of his LL Bean catalog covers and the Maine lobster license plate
Maine Maritime Museum’s “Upon That Isle in Maine” exhibit showcases the work of Maine children’s author Chris Van Dusen with interactive displays and fun for all ages.
— another Van Dusen design. Van Dusen’s creative process is also artfully curated, from early sketches to finished books.
Perhaps the key player for the exhibit, said Pleau, is Luke Gates-Milardo, director of exhibits and learning. Gates-Milardo designed and constructed the exhibit to be a multi-sensory experience.
“Reading is falling out of fashion,” he said, so he looked to alternative teaching tools and more sensory immersion. The exhibit includes lots of hands-on activity and both audio and video features that show “how one beloved children’s book author takes a rough kernel of an idea and…turns it into a storybook.”
As you enter the museum’s light-filled entry hall, your eyes are drawn to the gallery’s entrance, flanked by larger-than-life, brightly colored reproductions of a Maine seascape and Van Dusen’s circus ship animals. You pass through the entryway into a reproduction of Van Dusen’s writing studio, wallpapered with his original rough sketches. Walls are adorned with old-time
toys, and audio story-stations beckon you to slip on headphones. A video display features Van Dusen himself telling parts of his story.
Around the corner, a long-necked giant sea monster looms over your head. You gaze around at story placards on the walls and wooden seagulls soaring overhead, serenaded by children’s laughter and running feet. Kids race around the display areas and clamber onto a wooden ship where they don captain’s caps, while parents and grandparents call out, “Wait, let me take your picture!” On the way out, you can stop by a step-bystep instruction video on how to draw Magee’s little dog, Dee.
“It’s been exciting,” Gates-Milardo said, “to see grandparents diving into wall text while their grandkids listen to Chris Van Dusen talking about his life, then come together to share what they’ve learned.”
Van Dusen told me it is his wish that kids will get the same joy out of the exhibit that they get from his books.
I’d arrived that day wondering how I’d fill the hours of my visit. I left wishing I could stay longer, immersed in this vivid, evocative world.
“I just want kids to have fun,” he said. I can attest — there is joy in abundance at “Upon That Isle in Maine” at the Maine Maritime Museum, and it’s not just for kids. Wish granted.
ROBIN CLIFFORD WOOD is the award-winning author of “The Field House,” a biography-memoir hybrid about Maine author Rachel Field. For the last 20 years, she has immersed herself in Maine’s writing world — as columnist, poet, blogger, essayist, teacher, student, and colleague. To learn more, visit her website: robincliffordwood.com.
RememberingWHEN
50 YEARS LATER: ROLLING THUNDER REVUE ROLLS INTO MAINE
BY RICHARD SHAW
Sitting one morning at my family's breakfast table, my 23-year-old eyes caught the headline of an article published in the Nov. 20, 1975 Bangor Daily News.
“Dylan, Baez scheduled in area events,” it announced.
Soon to appear in two Maine shows at the start of the Rolling Thunder Revue tour were those folk legends, as well as Bob Neuwirth, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Mick Ronson, Roger McGuinn, Ronee Blakley, and poet Allen Ginsburg.
Joni Mitchell was later announced to be joining the cast. Tickets, limited to four per person and sold by the Bangor Jaycees, cost $8.50. Augusta and Bangor were to host the concerts on Nov. 26 and Nov. 27.
“Let's go!” I exclaimed to my brother over the phone, while my mother gave me that worried look that said, “Are you sure? We may never see you again.”
But with tickets in hand, on a snowy Thanksgiving night, we witnessed history in the making. Seeing a small-venue Bob Dylan tribute to folk music’s roots was a rare treat.
Dressed for winter, the audience, later described by the BDN’s David Bright as “slightly older than usual,” were part of the show. Paul Betit, of The Kennebec Journal, loved the Augusta concert, writing, “There was something for just about everybody – a lot of folk, gobs of country, and tons of rock in various shapes and sizes.”
Rich Tozier, the BDN’s music critic, was less effusive in his review of the Bangor show. In an article headlined “Dylan Rolling Thunder Revue satisfying, but worth $8.50?,” Tozier wrote, “In spite of a few blemishes, the four-hour concert, which could have suffered from a star-studded overkill, was ultimately a satisfying production.”
Concert memories fade after 50 years, but not mine. I remember Baez singing “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” and she and Dylan, in white face, emerging from behind a curtain crooning “The Times They Are A-Changin'.” Fiddler Scarlet Rivera ripped it up on “Mozambique,” a song from Dylan's forthcoming album “Desire.” Neuwirth welcomed folks to “the Grand Canyon,” a reference to the Bangor Auditorium’s V-shaped design.
Bright, of Dixmont, then a BDN reporter who sneaked in a camera to capture the photo-shy Dylan, recalled Baez’s stirring “Amazing Grace.” The singer referred to the venue as “the strangest hall I ever performed in.”
Jay Higgins, of Corea, now a singing guitarist, remembered attending the show’s first hour before returning to the BDN office across the street, where he started his journalistic career working in the paper’s wire room. Images of the flowers in Dylan’s hat and the crush of performers on stage have stayed with him.
Stu and Penney Tinker of Bangor remained for the concert’s four hours, while seated behind a battery of speakers. They saw only Dylan’s hat, but heard great music.
The Rolling Thunder Revue finale, held 50 years ago at the Bangor Auditorium in 1975.
PHOTO BY
Rick Bronson, Lincoln’s town manager, recalled his company helping with remote sound for the tour’s Maine shows and one in Durham, N.H.
“Baez had a child or two along,” he said, “so we took a few things from my daughter, Melanie, about the same age, and placed them on stage at Bangor for the children. Those items were left on their tour bus, no big deal.”
Dylan has seldom stopped touring in the half century since ending the second leg of his Rolling Thunder Revue. Ticket prices for this year’s Outlaw Music Festival, held Sept. 5 on the Bangor Waterfront, which included himself, Willie Nelson, and Sheryl Crow, ranged from $67.50 to $299.95.
Now 84, he might not recognize the sites of the Bangor Auditorium, razed in 2013, and the Holiday Inn across the street, where the 1975 concert troupe dined on Thanksgiving Day. It was leveled in 2007. The Cross Insurance Center and Hollywood Casino have replaced those properties, proving that things, not memories, are often left blowin’ in the wind.
(Above) Bob Dylan and Dylan with Joan Baez, performing at the Bangor Auditorium on Nov. 27, 1975.
PHOTOS BY DAVID BRIGHT / BDN FILE, COURTESY OF THE BANGOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
(Left, below) Clippings from the Bangor Daily News in 1975.
OBSESSIONS
WHAT WE CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THIS MONTH
SHOP
LOG JAM VINTAGE IN BANGOR
A new vintage store has popped up on 8 Harlow St. Log Jam Vintage encapsulates the feeling of being in a cozy cabin while thrifting downtown. You can expect to find an abundance of L.L. Bean fleece pullovers, flannels, Maine-centric T-shirts, and vintage seasonal wear. The store is currently open Thursday through Sunday, which is the perfect schedule for grabbing a coffee with your best friends while hunting for a new fall outfit! You can learn more at logjamvintage.com.
—MARISSA DONOVAN
READ
THE MIDNIGHT FEAST BY LUCY FOLEY
Looking for a spooky story to enjoy this time of year? I gobbled up the “The Midnight Feast” like it was Halloween candy while on a recent vacation. Lucy Foley is always a winner for fun, easy-reading murder mysteries, and this one delivers — with a renovated manor on the grounds of an ancient forest full of secrets. Pitting the ultrawealthy against the modest people of the nearby town, there are tons of secrets to unpack. A perfect read for this spooky season.
—AMY ALLEN
DRINK
WYOMING WHISKEY’S ACADIA EDITION BOURBON
I’m not going to claim to have the most refined bourbon palette, but it is something I’ve grown an appreciation for in recent years. I come from a long line of bourbon drinkers, so most family gatherings include a round of “Hey, you gotta try this…” tastings. For my brother’s birthday, I discovered Wyoming Whiskey’s series of bourbons supporting our National Parks. Their Acadia Edition is the first time the brand has expanded outside of the distillery’s home state, and sales help support Friends of Acadia’s efforts to preserve the area’s natural beauty and resources. The bourbon features flavors of cinnamon, orange, and vanilla (I may have bought myself a bottle as well and can attest that it’s super tasty), and the label shows a picture of Acadia. A perfect gift, a great cause, and a tasty treat all in one — what’s not to love?
—AMY ALLEN
LEARN
CREEPY BANGOR HISTORY
In planning this issue of Bangor Metro and reading the fantastic stories submitted by our writers, I’ve become a bit obsessed with the Queen City’s darker historical tales. I won’t spoil any of the spooky anecdotes you’ll find in these pages, but here’s another good one.
You’ve probably heard the name Hannibal Hamlin — he served as Abraham Lincoln’s first vice president, in addition to being a Maine Senator and Congressman, a diplomat to Spain, and elected Maine’s 26th governor (though briefly — his term only lasted about a month). His statue stands in downtown Bangor’s aptly named Hannibal Hamlin Park. He’s buried in Mount Hope Cemetery (check out the story on page 26 for lots of creepy Mount Hope fun facts). But did you know his “death couch” is on display at the Bangor Public Library? Weird, right?
Hamlin died July 4, 1891 (also weird, though he has that in common with three American presidents) at the Tarratine Club in Bangor. According to a Bangor Daily News report from July 6, 1891, he was playing a game of cards with friends, complained about a pain in his back, and shortly after “willing hands bore the stricken man to the nearest sofa” while messengers were sent for his family. That sofa on which he died is now on display in the King Lobby (yes, that King — which feels very apropos) on the second floor facing the Reference Desk. No, you can’t sit on it, but you can go view it as a macabre Halloween treat.
—AMY ALLEN
(Right) The article announcing Hamlin’s death in the July 6, 1891 issue of the Bangor Daily News. Thanks to Greta Schroeder, Local History and Special Collections Librarian at the Bangor Public Library, for sharing this article.
Creepy COCKTAILS
A PORTLAND-BASED PUB CRAWL FOR SPOOKY SPIRITS
BY JOANNA O’LEARY
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for those of us that get our jollies from all things creepy and candylicious. And just because you’re too old to go trick-or-treating (though always a kid at heart!) doesn’t mean Halloween has to be any less fun. The good news about aging out of shamelessly asking strangers for candy is that you’ve probably aged into asking strangers to buy you drinks. If you’re in the Portland area this spooky season and looking to get in the spirit, with some spirits, check out these creepy cocktails.
WHAT A NIGHTMARE
Start your petrifying pub crawl at Night Mares (44 Romasco Lane, Portland), whose moniker suggestively promises (and delivers) potent cocktails. Their menu is ever-evolving, but past chilling concoctions to which we’re partial include the Green Ghoul, a verdant libation of absinthe, gin, cucumber, and coconut water, and the Night Mares on the Prairie, an Ingalls-worthy beverage made from bison grass vodka, white vermouth, and chamomile.
CHEERS TO THE DEAD
Feeling like you’ve lost that zest for life — or just feeling lifeless in general? There’s a cocktail for that, multiple in fact. The most famous is the Corpse Reviver No. 2 (gin, cointreau, absinthe, Lillet blanc, and lemon juice). Portland establishments offering noteworthy takes include Woodford Food & Beverage (660 Forest Ave.) and Papi (18 Exchange St.), the latter of which swaps the traditional gin for Bacardi and uses banana Lillet for their Puerto Rican-inspired Corpse Reviver No. Chichaíto shot.
If those don’t raise you from the dead, stagger to Central Provisions (414 Fore St., Portland) for their Lady Lazarus, a fragrant, poetical dram that layers tequila, blueberry, lavender, and grapefruit Topo Chico. Before you sip, cheers your neighbor and give a nod to Sylvia Plath.
Now, should you consider drinking among the living overrated, you can go to the opposite end of the spectrum at Eventide (86 Middle St., Portland), where you can indulge in a Walking Dead (dark and overproofed rums, orange and pineapple juices, tiki seasoning), however, no
more than two are allowed per visit. Or, channel your inner 80s kid by ordering an ET Cooler, a deceptively refreshing combination of gin, sake, cucumber, and lemon soda. One will have you humming a certain blockbuster movie theme song, two will have you singing said theme song (“I ain’t afraid of no ghost”), and three will have your soul hovering above your body.
BRUNCH BOOS
With a name that conjures the notorious English woman known for her penchant for executing Protestants, the Bloody Mary is a most fitting libation for a late October “dawn of the dead” (aka “morning after”) brunch. Many Portland joints offer a version on their matutinal menus, and our favorites include those at Ruski’s Tavern (212 Danforth St.) and Bayside American Cafe (98 Portland St.) — add on grilled shrimp and bacon. Hot Suppa (703 Congress St.), obviously, knows that some like it hot and makes their Bloody Mary “cajun” style via the inclusion of a spicy mix, plus pickled okra and dilly beans.
A TRULY TO-DIE-FOR
Cocktail
VAMPIRE’S KISS
INGREDIENTS
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces Chambord
3 ounces cranberry juice
1-2 overripe black cherries
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine vodka, chambord, and cranberry juice in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for as long as it takes you to sing the chorus from “The Monster Mash.” Strain into a martin glass and garnish with cherries.
HIKES Haunted
EXPLORE MAINE’S EARLIEST DOCUMENTED GHOST STORY
STORY & PHOTOS BY AISLINN SARNACKI
IN THE WINTER of 1799, mystery and excitement filled the coastal town of Sullivan, Maine. Numerous residents, on multiple occasions, claimed to see and hear the ghost of Nelly Butler, a young woman who had died three years prior.
Lucky for us, the unusual events were documented in detail by Rev. Abraham Cummings, a traveling preacher with a penchant for writing. Throughout the winter, he collected 31 testimonies and penned a book titled “Immortality Proved by the Testimony of Sense: In Which Is Considered the Doctrine of Spectres, and the Existence of a Particular Spectre.”
Published in 1826, the book is thought to be the earliest known documented ghost story in Maine. And it contains some truly spooky descriptions of Nelly, “America’s first ghost.”
“At first the apparition was a mere mass of light, then grew into personal form, about as tall as myself,” testified Sullivan resident Mary Gordon, as recorded by Cummings.
This fascinating tale was revived by ghost story enthusiasts Marcus LiBrizzi and Dennis Boyd in the book “The Nelly Butler Hauntings: A Documentary History,” published in 2010. And it inspired the 2022 book “The Gathering Room: A Tale of Nelly Butler” by Michelle E. Shores.
This spooky season, in addition to exploring this ghost story through books, you can visit Sullivan, where it all took place. This small town is filled with excellent hiking trails where you can search for spectres and embrace the eerie ambiance of the late fall forest.
The majority of the ghost story takes place in the cellar of the long-gone Blaisdell house. However, the ghost’s grand finale — the last time it was recorded as being seen — was outdoors. As the story goes, a procession of 48 people followed the ghost for about half a mile as it walked to the neighbor’s house, then disappeared.
BONUS TRIP:
You can visit the gravestone of Capt. George Butler, widower of Eleanor “Nelly” Butler, at Bayview Cemetery in the nearby town of Franklin.
SCHOODIC BEACH & MOUNTAIN
EASY TO CHALLENGING
Located in the state-owned Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land, the hike to Schoodic Beach and Schoodic Mountain is fairly popular and for good reason. The sandy beach is on the crystal clear Donnell Pond, great for swimming, and the top of Schoodic Mountain offers wide open views of the region.
The walk into the beach is relatively easy, on a gently sloping, 0.5-mile hiking trail. From there, you can hike up Schoodic Mountain on a steep, rocky hiking trail, then loop down to the parking lot. Overall, the mountain hike is 1.9 miles.
This public land unit covers over 14,000 acres in the area and features several great hikes. Dogs are permitted. Access is free. For more information, visit maine.gov.
DIRECTIONS: From Route 1 in Sullivan, turn onto Route 183 (Tunk Lake Road) and drive about 4.5 miles. Take a left onto the gravel Schoodic Beach Road. Drive 2.3 miles to the end, where there is a large gravel parking area.
Juno pauses near the top of Schoodic Mountain. The view includes the ocean and mountains of Mount Desert Island.
TIDAL FALLS
EASY
Just across the Mount Desert Narrows from Sullivan, in the town of Hancock, Tidal Falls Preserve is an excellent spot for a picnic and to view wildlife. It’s also an opportunity to witness a strange natural phenomenon called a reversing waterfall.
At the 8-acre preserve, the ocean’s tide flows through a particularly narrow section of the Mount Desert Narrows, forming rapids and tiny whirlpools. While it doesn’t look like an actual waterfall, it’s quite the spectacle, especially two hours before or after low tide.
Fun fact: In the 19th century, the property was the first site for a railroad and ferry terminal that transported passengers to Bar Harbor.
The preserve features a lawn with picnic tables, plus access to the rocky shore. It’s also home to the Frenchman Bay Conservancy offices. Dogs are not permitted. Access is free. For more information, visit frenchmanbay.org.
DIRECTIONS: The preserve is located at 72 Tidal Falls Road in Hancock. From Route 1 on the southwest side of the Hancock-Sullivan Bridge, turn onto East Side Road and drive 0.7 mile, then turn left onto Tidal Falls Road. The preserve parking lot is at the end of the road in 0.4 mile.
LONG LEDGES & BAKER HILL
MODERATE TO CHALLENGING
These two preserves sit side by side in Sullivan. With connecting trail networks, they make for quite a large outdoor playground for people — and their dogs — to explore.
Long Ledges Preserve covers 318 acres of upland forestland and contains a small pond, vernal pools, large boulders, and the remains of a small granite quarry.
Beside it, the 58-acre Baker Hill Preserve includes the southern slope of Baker Hill, where trails lead to granite ledges that offer hikers open views of Frenchman’s Bay and Mount Desert Island.
Altogether, the trail system totals over 5 miles, and trail intersections are numbered (on signs and on the trail map), making navigation fairly easy. Dogs are permitted. Access is free. For more information, visit frenchmanbay.org.
DIRECTIONS: The trail network can be accessed from three parking areas on Punkinville Road. From the Sullivan side of the Hancock-Sullivan Bridge, drive 3.4 miles north on Route 1 and turn left onto Punkinville Road. Drive 0.1 mile to the lower parking area for Baker Hill; or 0.2 mile to the upper parking area for Baker Hill; or 0.6 mile to the Long Ledges parking area.
A spooky rock formation along the path.
A raft of eiders floats below Tidal Falls.
Writer Aislinn Sarnacki and her dog Juno enjoy the view atop Baker Hill.
LITTLE TUNK POND
EASY
At this small, tranquil pond, you can lounge on a sandy beach and watch loons dive for fish. It’s a great place to relax and take a refreshing swim.
In 1988, Frenchman Bay Conservancy acquired 55 acres of forestland and the beach as the land trust’s first preserve. The organization maintains an easy 0.3-mile trail from a parking lot to the beach. Expect to travel gradually downhill, over a series of wide wooden steps.
The preserve covers are managed for restoration and protection of wildlife habitat, including extensive alder thickets that once sheltered woodcock.
Dogs are permitted if cleaned up after and kept under control at all times. Access is free. For more information, visit frenchmanbay.org.
DIRECTIONS: From the Sullivan side of the HancockSullivan Bridge, drive 4.4 miles north on Route 1, then turn left onto Route 183-Tunk Lake Road. Drive 4.7 miles. Go past the Donnell Pond Public Reserve Land sign, and in about 0.2 mile, turn left into the parking lot for the pond.
SCHOODIC BOG
EASY TO MODERATE
Bogs are naturally spooky places, with dead, skeletal trees rising up out of the muck and lilypads flapping in the wind. They’re also quite beautiful.
Schoodic Bog is particularly lovely, stretching for about 150 acres. A patchwork of pools and tall grasses, the wetland sits below Schoodic Mountain, one of the tallest granite peaks in the area.
You can visit the bog by navigating a simple network of hiking trails, old roads and a multi-use gravel trail that together form a loop that’s about 4 miles. These roads and trails are located in the 500-acre Schoodic Bog Preserve.
Dogs are permitted. Access is free. For more information, visit frenchmanbay.org.
DIRECTIONS: From the Sullivan side of the HancockSullivan Bridge, drive 3.4 miles north on Route 1 and turn left onto Punkinville Road. Drive 2 miles, then turn left onto Punkin Ledge Road. Drive 0.7 mile, then turn left onto Schoodic Bog Road. In a short distance you’ll find a place to park on the right.
AISLINN SARNACKI is a Registered Maine Guide and the author of three guidebooks: “Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine,” “Maine Hikes Off the Beaten Path,” and “Family Friendly Hikes in Maine.” Follow her adventures at aislinnsarnacki.com.
A wooded path leads to Little Tunk Pond.
Falling for AUTUMN FESTIVALS
FALL BRINGS FESTIVALS, FAIRS, AND FUN TO MAINE
Fall in Maine is unparalleled with its vibrant foliage and crisp, cool air. Maine farmers begin their harvest season, and festivals, fairs, and fun pop up all over our state. Make the most of the season this autumn and plan to attend the following family-friendly events and more.
SEPT. 19-21
COMMON GROUND COUNTRY FAIR
The Common Ground Country Fair in Unity is the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s annual celebration of rural living. This year’s event will feature more than 1,000 exhibitors and speakers related to rural living, including a variety of animal-related demonstrations, chestnut roasting and other cooking demos, wagon rides, and more.
MOFGA.ORG/THE-FAIR
SEPT. 20
BETHEL HARVESTFEST
The annual Bethel HarvestFest will feature arts and crafts, chil dren’s activities, food, music, and apple pie baking — and a pie eating contest. The event is held rain or shine.
BUSINESS.BETHELMAINE.COM
SEPT. 21-27
CUMBERLAND FAIR
The Cumberland Fair will feature animal pulls, tractor pulls, car nival rides, pig scrambles, a pumpkin contest, squash weigh off, live entertainment, and educational demos at the Cumberland Fair sugarhouse.
CUMBERLANDFAIR.COM
SEPT. 27
APPLE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Held the last Saturday of September, the Apple Pumpkin Festival in Livermore Falls will celebrate the agricultural and industrial heritage of the area with craft artisans, agricultural products, historical items, seasonal decorations, food, and music.
JAY-LIVERMORE-LF.ORG/APFEST
SEPT. 27-OCT. 5
FRYEBURG FAIR
OCT. 4-6
FREEPORT FALL FESTIVAL
The Fryeburg Fair is one of Maine’s largest agricultural fairs. The fair features livestock shows and competitions, a woodsmen’s field day, a firemen’s muster, pig scramble, calf scramble, skillet and anvil throw, lawn mower races, sheep dog trials, flower shows, carnival rides, a parade, fair food, and more. The farm museum and craft center will also be open to the public.
FRYEBURGFAIR.ORG
OCT. 2-13
DAMARISCOTTA PUMPKINFEST & REGATTA
The Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta will feature a variety of pumpkin-related events including a weigh off with giant pumpkins from across the state. Giant pumpkins are placed along the streets and decorated by artists. The pumpkins will remain on display for 10 days. Other events include pumpkin boat building, the pumpkin boat Regatta, pumpkin parade, pumpkin derby, pumpkin hunt, pumpkin drop, a pumpkin dessert contest, a pie eating contest, and a Tour de Gourde 5K. MAINEPUMPKINFEST.COM
Freeport Fall Festival attracts more than 225 artists, makers, and local food producers who sell their wares to festival-goers. There will also be make-and-take crafts for children, scavenger hunts, chowdah challenge, and music on the L.L. Bean campus and downtown.
visitfreeport.com
OCT. 11-12
FALL FOLIAGE FESTIVAL
The Fall Foliage Festival at the Boothbay Railway Village offers visitors the opportunity to tour historic Maine buildings, an antique car museum, and a model railroad. Visitors can also enjoy the village goats, more than 85 artists and makers, fall foods, and music.
BOOTHBAY.ORG
OCT. 11-12
MAINE MAPLE FALL FEST
Maine maple producers all over the state are offering maple syrup tastings and demos, as well as baked maple treats, ice cream, candy, and cotton candy for sale during the 6th annual Maine Maple Fall Fest. Tour multiple sugar houses and see how maple syrup is made.
MAINEMAPLEPRODUCERS.COM
REALTORS
The Sheep Show at the Fryeburg Fair is fun for everyone. PHOTO:
Stories TAKEN GRAVE
One of the many monuments in Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor.
PHOTO: AISLINN SARNACKI / BDN FILE
WHAT LURKS BELOW — OR ABOVE — AT MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY AND BEYOND
WWBY ANNE GABBIANELLI
hat’s scarier than roaming a cemetery on Halloween night? In Bangor, the iconic Mount Hope Cemetery is the perfect backdrop for what gives you the willies.
A Romani traveler princess, a mobster, a madam, and a lumber baron are just a few of the cemetery’s inhabitants who generate tales. Even the filming of scenes from Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary” in Mount Hope Cemetery might give you the creeps. If that is not enough, there is a section in the cemetery called Strangers Row, containing the graves of unidentified people who were waterfront workers, lumbermen, sailors, and those unfortunate souls from Devil’s Half Acre — an area of bars and brothels in downtown Bangor that often brought on trouble for folks.
Matthew Bishop is the curator of the Bangor Historical Society, which hosts Ghostly Bangor Walking Tours through downtown Bangor, Mount Hope Cemetery Walking Tours, and a two-night “Darker Mount Hope” event that draws some 300 people every October. Volunteers dress up to reenact particular characters and share stories. They talk about symbolism as visitors walk a network of paths in the cemetery, which was established in 1834. Some symbols on markers and monuments for example are draped urns or broken columns indicating life ended too soon.
The cemetery tours began about 25 years ago, first held in the daytime and then moved to twilight. Dana Lippitt, then curator of the Historical Society, said even back then it was a huge draw.
“About 200 people showed up, and that was scary alone for me,” Lippitt said. “It was hard for people to hear with cars going by. And then leaving in the dark with no street lights was really eerie.”
Lippitt enjoyed dressing in the 1895-era clothing, and volunteers were scattered about in the background, some looking ghostly at nightfall, ambling about as spectators’ imaginations envisioned many scary scenes.
The grave of Joseph Marie Junin, who died in 1791 at age 32, and was reportedly murdered in his home. He actually has two gravestones, one in front of the other.
“It’s a family friendly event, but what would Halloween be without using your imagination,” Bishop said.
NOTABLE “RESIDENTS”
A few notable deceased at Mount Hope, Bishop said, include Joseph Junin who was believed to be the first murder victim ever documented in Bangor’s history.
Another interred at Mount Hope Cemetery in 1937 is “Public Enemy” gangster Al Brady, who was gunned down on the streets of Bangor by the FBI. A plaque on the sidewalk outside of Bagel Central in downtown Bangor marks the spot where he was killed. Trudy Scee’s “Complete History of Mount Hope Cemetery” notes that no one claimed Brady’s body so the city
incurred the expense of his burial. Years later funds were raised for a marker for what is said to be the most visited gravesite in Mount Hope.
Another legend, Fannie (Fan) Jones was one of the “madams with a heart of gold” who bought her plot in Mount Hope well before her death in 1909. She was a shrewd business woman of which ballads and folk songs were written of her boarding house, also known as a bordello. An interesting note is Jones does not have a grave marker, but there are markers for others with whom she shared her plot, including her children.
The final resting place for Rufus Dwinel provokes some very spooky thoughts. Is he buried in or on top of the ground? He
was a millionaire lumber baron, a bachelor, and a playboy, who organized a mob attack against the Bangor Democrat Newspaper. He was tried for the crime and convicted.
It’s written that Dwinel is buried in the ground beneath a sarcophagus. Ah, could it be though that he is really buried inside the sarcophagus?
A similar story involved the grave of an infant whose parents buried the child above ground with a glass window built into the child’s casket. While no such casket has ever been discovered, three monuments with marbleized statues encased in glass are found in the cemetery. Is the glass for the visitor to look in or the dead to look out? (This is where your imagination can run away with you.)
In 1939, a group of Romani travelers attended an internment at Mount Hope Cemetery when a “princess-elect” took ill and died. There was no hint of a curse, not that it is documented anyway. Her burial at Mount Hope drew a large gathering of prominent Romani families from across the nation.
Bishop said he is most appreciative of the Mount Hope Cemetery Corporation for letting the Bangor Historical Society host a two-night October event.
“Hopefully you don’t have nightmares that night,” he quipped.
BANGOR’S HAUNTED HISTORY
The Queen City itself is rich with history and ghouls and specters. Sitting in the Thomas A. Hill House at the corner of Union and High Streets, Bishop mentioned how things have been known to “happen.”
Samuel Dale, the city’s mayor at one point in the late 1890s, was a smoker and sometimes you can get a whiff of tobacco in the museum.
“His wife Matilda has been seen when decorations or displays are being changed in the museum,” Bishop added. She apparently needs to oversee what used to be her job. “The building has a lot of energy; all old things do, and it makes your hair stand up!”
He went on to note other Bangor sites that are said to experience hauntings include the Hilltop School, which began as an orphanage in 1836. The Thomas Hill Standpipe (built in 1897 and made extra creepy thanks to Stephen King’s “It” and Pennywise the Clown), the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center, and the Bangor House also make the list. Effie MacDonald was allegedly murdered in the Bangor House where she worked. Her body was found with her stockings wrapped around her neck — a murder that has never been solved.
“There are also a lot of different [areas] along the waterfront where you can feel the old energy, too, ” Bishop said.
As the “Lumber Capital of the World,” Bangor was full of people from all over, bustling about. Many found their way to Devil’s Half Acre and became lost souls.
“At the cemetery and downtown, we talk about the unidentified,” Bishop added.
Who knows where and what their ghosts may haunt.
Visit the Bangor Historical Society’s website at bangorhistoricalsociety.org/ tours for upcoming tours and ticket sales.
(Above) Walter Walsh, the man who shot Al Brady, is seen here in 1987 at the laying of the plaque commemorating the Brady shootout, with historian Richard Shaw and former BDN reporter A.J. Higgins.
The ghost of Samuel Dale, former mayor of Bangor, is said to haunt the Thomas Hill House, home of the Bangor Historical Society.
GHOST Stories
CASTINE TOURING COMPANY BRINGS THE TOWN’S HISTORY AND GHOSTS TO LIFE
BY CASEY BERNARD
A woman wakes to find a ship captain standing in the corner of her bedroom. Believing it was just a dream, she reconsiders the next morning when the neighbors ask if everything was okay because they saw an unfamiliar man in her window the night before.
TA family hears footsteps on their gravel driveway at night. A later video recording captures what appears to be a wandering 18th century British soldier pacing their gravel driveway along the shore.
hese stories and more come to life on weekend evenings in October when Castine Touring Company switches from daily historic tours to evening ghost tours using the company’s two electric 6-seater vehicles, affectionately named Scarlett and Sally. In the summer, volunteer guides offer daily tours of Castine including the town’s historic forts, Dyce Head Lighthouse, Maine Maritime Academy, and other points of interest, but in October tours include local lore and spine-tinglingly tales of souls who linger in the historic town.
After enjoying ghost tours in other cities like New Orleans, ghost-friendly volunteers began collecting stories from Castine residents and historic records to create a tour that incorporates the history of the town as well as stories of things that go bump in the night. Given the number of battles that occurred over the years and the centuries-old homes that remain, they felt there had to be plenty of stories to tell. As the tours go into their third
A woman in white wanders a porch overlooking the water as if seeking her lover lost at sea.
year, more spirits have been making themselves known and more stories get added to the tour.
The tour begins at the town dock where a uniformed ghost is known to linger at the bar at Danny Murphy’s Pub. The tour includes stories such as the hanging of Ebenezer Ball that took place on Halloween night in 1811, and, as the tour continues to the town cemetery, the tale of the “Juliet Tilden,” a ship lost at sea in 1867. Locals were said to have seen apparitions of the sailors even before the ship had left Castine’s shores.
The tour ends with a ghostly themed cocktail at the Pentagöet Inn, where owners Matt Powell and George Trinovitch regale guests with stories of the hauntings experienced over the years at the inn, even before they took over the building in 2021. Over the years, several guests in one of the inn’s rooms have experienced the presence of a lingering previous resident who closes the windows at night while the current occupants are sleeping.
Castine Touring Company’s fall ghost tours include a drive through the town cemetery, a visit to to the haunted Pentagöet Inn, and more.
In the old doctor’s home, picture frames fly off the wall and an empty chair rocks throughout the night, experiences shared by unrelated families staying in the home over the years.
The echoes of the little drummer boy, an American captured during the Revolutionary War, become louder every August from Main Street to the top of Fort George.
“When we took over the Pentagöet, a storied inn that has been operating since 1894, we knew that there must be innkeepers or guests who simply couldn’t leave their favorite vacation destination and might still be roaming our halls,” Powell said. “It’s only taken a few years to unearth ghost stories, some from past guests, some from the historic records, and some from our own experiences. We like to think that the Pentagöet would be a pretty great place to spend eternity.”
Recently, a visiting medium had an opportunity to walk through the inn with Powell and Trinovitch and provide some insight on what or who visitors may have been experiencing.
Castine Ghost Tours are available by reservation starting in late September at CastineTouringCompany. org. Because the tour vehicles are open-air carts, warm clothing is recommended and tours may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
Ghost LIGHT
MEET SAMI, HEIDI, AND THE MAN — THE GHOSTS THAT HAUNT THE BANGOR OPERA HOUSE
TBY JUDY HARRISON
heir names are Sami, Heidi, and The Man — but theatergoers won’t find their names in any programs for the Penobscot Theatre Company’s shows.
That’s because they are the ghosts that inhabit the Bangor Opera House.
The fact that the theater is haunted is not news. It has been investigated by the Central Maine Ghost Hunters and will be featured early next year in the Discovery Channel’s “Expedition X.” The theater also has offered guided Ghost Tours and will hold them again on Oct. 30 and 31 after “Turn of the Screw,” a two-person adaptation of Henry James’ gothic horror tale. Tickets are $35 and tours are limited to 12 people per tour.
As for the ghosts – Sami is a young, mischievous girl. Heidi is a woman who is believed to have worked in the costume shop when the theater was a vaudeville house in the 1920s and ’30s. The Man, who has a malevolent presence, is one of two firefighters who died in the 1914 blaze that destroyed the first Opera House.
Christie L. Robinson and Ben Layman, who have appeared in dozens of PTC productions over the past 15 years or so, have experienced first hand unusual happenings in the Opera House that can’t be easily explained.
Robinson was working on the musical "Forever Plaid” in 2009. She went downstairs to use what was then the women’s restroom. As Robinson, the only person in the room, was washing her hands in one of the three sinks, the water in the other two sinks suddenly came on. When she turned the water in the sink she was using off, the water in the others suddenly turned off.
When Robinson told then Producing Artistic Direct Scott R.C. Levy what had happened, he said, “Dude, that was the ghosts.”
The next year, while working on “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde,” Robinson was walking backstage and heard a woman singing.
“It was an operatic, high singing voice — a voice I’d never heard before,” she said.
Heidi is credited with singing in the Opera House.
Behind the scenes at the Bangor Opera House.
But Robinson’s most frequent encounters have been with Sami, who is known for moving things around the theater. The actress has had false eyelashes disappear, socks left on one side of the stage found on the opposite side, and wigs pins thrown on the floor backstage. Robinson has found that if she talks to Sami, the child sometimes will behave.
During the run of “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde,” Robinson would get to the theater earlier than other cast members and play music in the dressing room, she told American Theatre magazine in 2018 for a story on haunted theaters.
“I noticed my iPod lighting up,” she told the magazine. “The volume dial was moving up and down (showing on the screen); however, the sound never changed. Then, songs started changing, and I wasn’t touching it at all.”
She immediately called Layman, who was working in the box office, and he said that it was probably Sami and urged Robinson to talk to her.
“I did, and asked her if she could make my iPod light up,” Robinson said. “It did. I asked her to turn it off. It turned off. I asked her to make the screen blink. It did. At this point, I was intrigued, but not scared. She was a happy ghost, just playing.”
(Above) The Bangor Opera House, home of the Penobscot Theatre Company.
(This photo) Ben Layman and Christie L. Robinson in PTC's "Mary Poppins," along with Derrick Johnson and Stella Burns. Layman and Robinson have both experienced an other-worldly presence at the theater.
Layman first encountered what he considers to be “an energy that manifests itself in different ways,” rather than human spirits, when he was working as box office manager in 2008. He said that one cold winter day, the heavy glass doors to the lobby swung open and closed by themselves.
“One night the lobby was full of people because we were holding the house for a light to be replaced,” Layman said. “In the center of all those people I saw what looked like a child with long hair in a long dress. Her face was blurry and she didn’t have any feet.”
Cast members in “The Wizard of Oz” in 2014 saw someone standing in the balcony, used for storage, according to Layman. It was indistinct, like a shadow.
“I’ve been spoken to out loud,” he said. “I was crossing the stage and a voice asked me what I was doing. I booked it out of there. It was scary.”
Layman has led ghost tours of the theater and in 2020 led a virtual ghost tour that drew viewers from around the world.
Artistic director Jen Shepard, who previously served as the company’s executive
director, is not surprised the opera house is haunted.
“This building has seen a lot of life,” she said. “If any place in Bangor would have ghosts, this is it.”
Opened in 1898, the Opera House is only survivor of five large theaters that once graced downtown Bangor. It was destroyed in a 1914 blaze but rebuilt and reopened six years later as a vaudeville and movie house. PTC purchased the building in 1997 and it continues to be the company’s base of operations.
Other theaters in Maine that claim to be haunted include the 1929 Strand Cinema in Skowhegan, where there have been reports of power tools working without being plugged in, a ghost that likes to smear paint on the walls, papers flying off desks, a shadowy apparition
that once threw a piece of balcony ceiling into the sets, and handprints that have been found on the movie screen, according to Maine Haunted Houses website, mainehauntedhouses.com.
In a 2014 story, the Bangor Daily News named the Boothbay Opera House in Boothbay Harbor, the Biddeford City Theatre, the Ogunquit Playhouse, and the Packard Theatre at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, the Maine State Music Theatre’s summer home, as haunted theaters in Maine.
For more about the Penobscot Theatre’s ghost tours and upcoming shows, visit penobscottheatre.org.
(Above) The Bangor Opera House resembled “an ice palace” after the fire that destroyed it on Jan. 15, 1914. Two firefighters died in the blaze, and one is said to now haunt the rebuilt building.
(This photo) The view from the rafters as a set is assembled in 2015.
LESSONS from History
MAINE’S CONNECTION TO THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS
BY CRYSTAL SANDS
In Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, one of the most famous instances of a miscarriage of justice on American soil took place. A group of young girls claimed to be “afflicted” by witches and began pointing fingers. Instead of a real investigation into the accusations by the girls, the justice system in Salem practiced “guilty until proven innocent.” There was no way for the accused to prove their innocence, since the evidence against them was all invisible.
The accusations began with the girls accusing outliers in Puritan society, but the trials didn’t end until the wife of the governor of Massachusetts was accused. Dozens of men and women were accused of witchcraft, and without proper trials or any semblance of normalcy within the justice system, 19 people were hanged, one person was pressed to death, and others died in prison.
Today, the Salem Witch Trials continue to fascinate Americans and people from all over the world.
The Salem Witch Museum in Salem attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. Dozens of books have been written about what caused the Salem Witch Trials. Everything from hysteria to ergot (a fungal disease of rye) poisoning have been blamed for the events, but a Maine author and historian argues there was a “perfect storm” that led to the
(Left) A gravestone in the Old Burying Point Cemetery in Salem, the final resting place of several Salem notables. ENGRAVING SOURCE: WILLIAM A. CRAFTS (1876) “PIONEERS IN THE SETTLEMENT OF AMERICA” FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.
(Above) An 1876 engraving entitled "Witchcraft at Salem Village." The scene shows a courtroom during the trial of Mary Walcott.
(Left) Portrait of Sir William Phips, circa 1687-1694, the governor of Massachusetts during the trials. Phips grew up in Woolwich, Maine.
(Below) The Old Burying Point Cemetery in Salem, the final resting place of several Salem notables.
trials — and that the trials have roots in events that took place in Maine.
Emerson Baker resides in Maine and is a professor of History at Salem State University. He is the author of “A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience.”
“Over 40 people involved in the Salem Witch Trials had close connections to or had previously resided in Maine,” according to Baker.
Some of the afflicted girls in Salem were originally from Maine, including Sarah Churchwell from Saco, Abigail Hobbs and Mercy Lewis from Falmouth (present-day Portland), and Mercy Short from Salmon Falls (present-day Berwick). Two people who were executed during the trials were from Maine — Reverand George Burroughs and Ann Pudeator.
Several judges central to the trials — Judges Corwin, Gedney, Sewell, and Hathorne — were landowners and millowners from Maine who had lost some of their wealth due to the wars taking place in Maine in the years leading up the trials.
Perhaps one of the most famous of these judges is Hathorne, who was the greatgreat grandfather of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Judge Hathorne was known for his cruelty during the trials, and Nathaniel Hawthorne (born in 1804 in Salem, Mass.) changed his name by adding the “w” to distance himself from the family history.
Finally, the governor of Massachusetts during the trials, Sir William Phips, grew up in Woolwich, Maine. Phips was the first member of royalty to be appointed as governor of the Massachusetts Bay Province. It was his leadership — or lack thereof — that may have led to the witch trials getting so far out of control.
However, while many of the key players in the events of the trials were from Maine, Professor Baker argues that the Maine connection to the trials runs deeper. According to Baker, events in Maine actually triggered the Salem Witch Trials.
In order to understand how events in Maine led to the trials, it is important to understand what happened during two New England wars — King Phillip’s War, from 1675 to 1678, and King William’s War, 1688 to 1697. Additionally, it is important to note that, during this time of war, New England was also experiencing what scholars now refer to as the “Little Ice Age,” which lasted from 1645 to 1715. The people living at this time would not
(Above) the plaque in York, Maine that commemorates the York Raid or Candlemas Massacre.
have known they were in a mini ice age, but they would have experienced the effects of the cold in terms of difficulties in raising crops for food.
Life in Maine would have been very difficult in the years leading up to the trials. According to Baker, King Phillip’s War ended in Massachusetts with the death of Phillip in 1676, but it continued on the Maine frontier for two more years. The people of Maine really bore the brunt of this war, and refugees from Maine began flooding into Massachusetts during this time. But the people of Maine seeking safe refuge in Massachusetts led to a strain on resources that would continue into the next war, King William’s War.
King William’s War was fought between England and France, but battles took place in Europe, the Caribbean, and North America. A lot of the war took place in modern-day Canada, Maine, and Massachusetts. Professor Baker says the events left the Maine frontier “reeling.”
One event in the war, in particular, may have been a direct trigger of the trials. On Jan. 24, 1692, in York, Maine, the infamous York Raid, also known as the Candlemas Massacre, took place. Native forces wiped out nearly the entire English
settlement. About 100 people were killed, others taken captive, and almost all the homes burned. The minister in York was also killed, which was seen as especially terrifying by the Puritans.
Within days of the York Raid, the people of Salem began hearing the stories about what happened. They feared they were next. At the same time, they were also learning that they were getting a new charter, or government. Governor Sir William Phips was appointed but had more experience in treasure hunting than governing and was not considered a strong leader. He had also only recently converted to Puritanism, and the Puritans may have had additional worries about his leadership.
So, in the middle of a cold winter, the people of Salem were stressed beyond compare. That same month, the witch trials begin. Baker points out that scholars assert, historically, there are two things that tend to trigger witch hunts throughout the world: prolonged periods of really bad weather and unstable government. The people of Salem were not only facing these realities, but they were also dealing with the effects of years of brutal war.
By the end of the trials, 156 people were formally accused. Fifty-five confessed and
named names to be spared execution. The courts tried 28 people who pled not guilty, and all 28 were found guilty. News of the trials spread even to Europe, and those who spoke out against the events ended up being accused themselves.
It was only when Governor Phip’s wife was accused that he put a stop to the trials.
After the trials, Phips wrote a letter to England explaining that he was sorry he let the trials get out of control. He had been busy fighting Native Americans in Maine.
Today, books have been written and movies have been made about the trials. An entire industry of tourism has sprung up around the events of the Salem Witch Trials. Clearly, the trials continue to capture our imaginations, but it’s the history leading up to the trials that may be most important for us to remember.
As Baker points out, the trials were “the first mass failure of the government to protect innocent lives, and the families of the victims worked hard for generations to make sure this injustice would not be forgotten. The Salem witch hunt has become a popular metaphor long used by Americans of all political views for extremism rushing to judgment, and unfortunately every generation seems to have a Salem moment.”
The Jonathan Corwin House, known as The Witch House in Salem. It was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who also had ties to Maine. It is one of the few structures still standing with direct ties to the Salem witch trials of 1692.
EMBRACING THE Start of the End Again
BY EMILY MORRISON
EVERY YEAR around this time I get a little pit in my stomach. I can feel it now as I sit at my kitchen counter and stare out the window at the sunshine bouncing off the back deck. How many more golden days of summer are left?
As a teacher, I know this melancholy well. The back-toschool ads start coming, and the first of several school nightmares begins. I’ve lost the kids’ attention, and I find myself yelling, “Will everybody just quiet down?” as I wake up drenched in pre-September sweat.
The physicals, mammograms, and mole checks litter my calendar like notes on a page I’d prefer to keep blank, and it’s only a matter of time before I bring one kid back to college and send another on her way while my youngest finishes his final year of summer reading.
He’ll be flying the nest next fall, and my husband and I will officially be “Home Alone” like our favorite Christmas movie. (Only in this version, it’s the parents who have to make do without their kids.)
And it occurs to me now why the beginning of the year and all it brings with it is hard for me. It’s really not about the start of school — it’s about the end of summer, the end of having our kids around and watching them do nothing special together.
I love how they laugh over jokes I don’t understand and can’t hear from the front seat (or the back seat, depending on who’s driving). I love how they sit with some part of their bodies always unconsciously touching and ask our dog, “Who’s a good girl? It’s you, Maisy girl. You’re such a good girl.”
Newsflash, Maisy’s rarely a good girl. She eats what’s on their plates when they turn around, and she’s always nosing through the trash (when she isn’t spreading 80 pounds of golden retriever love across their laps).
All of this is to say, it’s hard being a mama of two 20-somethings and a teen. It’s a lot of holding on and letting go and holding on again, but it’s recently occurred to me that this is what life is, isn’t it? Heartbreak isn’t confined to parenting.
This fear of impending loss pops up repeatedly when I’m with my parents, sister, friends, and coworkers, too.
Every fleeting moment I spend with the people I love always feels bittersweet because while I’m with them, I’m aware that life’s too short, and these moments are too hard to come by when it should feel like I’ve got all the time in the world.
Because who really has it better than teachers during summer vacation? Maybe the kids, if they’re not working, but really, it’s us. It’s teachers like me who have survived the grueling pace of August to June and have lived to tell the tale.
If you’ve ever had to tell someone “Get off your phone” five times in five minutes or said, “No, you can’t go to the bathroom one minute into class,” or “I don’t believe you left your homework at home,” then you would know why it’s such a drag to see the last days of summer fly by.
Who wants to say all of that all over again?
But, then again, September means watching kids walk in with their new backpacks, clothes, shoes, pencils, and all that barely concealed angst. Is there anything more optimistic than a child with a new assignment notebook and a fresh folder?
God, I’ve missed the smell of a syllabus hot off the photocopier.
Maybe there are things to be joyful about after all — apple crisp, back-to-school pictures, pumpkin carving, soccer games to cheer wildly for our tiny team.
Yes, I can do this. Yes, I want to hold on and let go and start all over again. Mostly.
EMILY MORRISON is a high school English teacher, freelance writer and editor from coastal Maine. She is living happily-ever-after with her handsome husband, three beautiful children and two beloved dogs. And a cat.
PHOTO:
PLAN
THE BENEFITS OF HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER — AND A FEW TIPS FROM A MAINE PRO
STORY BY KATIE SMITH • PHOTOS BY BREEZY PHOTOGRAPHY
r WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE HIRING
Whether you’re envisioning an upscale coastal ceremony or a rustic barn celebration, planning a wedding in Maine comes with endless possibilities with its charming small towns, ocean views, and four-season beauty. With so much inspiration, it may be hard to stick to a wedding theme and know where to start. That’s why we sat down with Meagan Gilpatrick, the founder, principle planner, and designer for Maine Seasons Events, to get the inside scoop on what couples should know before the big day.
“Wedding planner can mean different things,” Gilpatrick said. “Some planners provide comprehensive planning, design, and event management services, and some only provide basic timeline management and event day management. Be sure to ask each planner you meet to share the scope of their responsibilities and what services they do — and don’t — provide.”
r DECIDING WHETHER TO HIRE A PLANNER
“Couples should trust, feel comfortable with, and really like their planner. Personality and integrity are as important as experience in this role. Couples will work closely with their planner for sometimes over a year, and that person needs to be someone they are excited about and trust,” Gilpatrick said.
If you are still deciding if you want to hire a planner, Gilpatrick said, “An experienced planner can save you thousands of hours and dollars, and ensure your planning experience and wedding celebration itself are smooth and fun. They know what to do, when to do it, how to do the impossible. Planners have insight into logistics, local knowledge, and other vendor relationships that ensure the best value for the clients, as well as the best team for the smoothest, most well-produced events that feel effortless and flow perfectly.”
r WHAT TO HAVE THE DAY OF
Your planner should carry emergency and day-of supplies. While each planner has their own list, things like, “industrial extension cords, cleaning supplies, bug repellant, first aid kits, smelling salts, sewing supplies, sharp scissors, gum, battery operated power tools, wooden shims, airline cord guide wire and attachments, bobby pins, wood stain, cup hooks, nails and removable adhesive hooks, double stick tape, baby wipes, extra socks, umbrellas, and lots of snacks and water are necessary since you never know when you will have to screw a wooden sign together, repair a bar top, shim a dinner table in a tent, or tend to a first aid or sewing emergency!” Gilpatrick said.
Some things that make a wedding memorable for the couple and their guests is proper planning so everyone is comfortable, the timing is right, and everything flows.
“A lot of factors have to be considered in advance to have an event feel memorably effortless,” Gilpatrick said.
r STAYING ON TREND?
As far as trends to embrace or avoid, Gilpatrick says the most important thing is to “create a wedding that is in full alignment with what you want for your special day.” That means doing away with certain traditions if they aren’t in alignment with what you want.
“The rule should be that there are no rules for your wedding day,” Gilpatrick said.
r BUDGET ACCORDINGLY
Setting a budget should be the first step.
“It all comes down to what a couple and/or their financial contributors can afford,” Gilpatrick said. “If you have a limited budget, your guest count will have to be reduced; if you have a bigger budget, your guest count and choices will have more flexibility.”
Everyone’s choices are different. Creating a celebration for a large group of people with food, drink, florals, lighting, music, photography, transportation, decor, etc. is a luxury and typically costs more than people expect it to be, particularly those who haven’t ever planned a large event.
“At the end of the day, you will be married, surrounded by people you love, music, food, and that’s what matters,” said Gilpatrick. “Everyone’s measure of what is necessary to have at a wedding is different and budgets are a very personal detail.” Z
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BREEZY PHOTOGRAPHY
MemoriesSTART WITH FOOD
TREAT YOUR GUESTS TO A TASTY SPREAD
BY KATIE SMITH
Ashley Cunningham has always loved to entertain. After taking over her grandmother’s tradition of making snack boards for family gatherings, she discovered a new passion — one that would soon grow into a thriving small business.
“I started making charcuterie boards for friends and family first. I posted some photos online, and it took off from there,” Cunningham said.
That spark led to the creation of Downtown Charcuterie, which she co-founded with her friend and business partner Lisa Richards. What began in Cunningham’s apartment has quickly evolved into a full-fledged business with a charming event space in Brewer.
At its heart, Downtown Charcuterie is about connection.
“We believe in connections over customers, and we want to help anyone — with any budget, allergy, or food intolerance — celebrate with a charcuterie,” Cunningham explained.
Their offerings include beautifully arranged boards, boxes, cups, and grazing tables — all customizable to fit the occasion. Whether it’s an intimate brunch or a large wedding, the team designs each spread as both a centerpiece and a conversation starter. Their motto says it best: “Memories start with food.”
The cozy event space, which Lisa transformed into a warm and welcoming venue in a week, can accommodate up to 25 guests and is available to rent for private events. The vibe is neutral, comfy, and relaxed to fit any theme or event. But Downtown Charcuterie doesn’t stop at their doorstep —
they travel and cater all over Maine, bringing their signature graze to weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and more. They can host events of any size or theme with charcuterie.
Their grazers are priced at just $12 per guest and include a foot of food for every 10 guests, along with plates, napkins, serving utensils, and a complimentary board for newlyweds with any grazing order.
Ashley and Lisa are passionate about quality and inclusivity. All hard cheeses are sourced locally from Pineland Farms in Bangor, and groceries are handpicked weekly to ensure the freshest flavors and widest variety. They offer nutfree, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options, and happily accommodate any allergies or dietary preferences.
“Our fan favorites are the smoked Gouda, onion and chive cheddar, pub cheese and prosciutto,” Cunningham said.
They’ve also hit the road with their new food trailer, Cheese on Wheels, a mobile charcuterie experience that’s been delighting snack lovers across the state. Customers can build their own board, choosing from two meats, three cheeses, pickles or olives, dips, fruits, veggies, crackers, nuts, and sweets. They also offer different options to fit your diet needs, and you can find their schedule on Facebook and Instagram.
And the creativity doesn’t end there. Ashley now hosts charcuterie classes in the event space, welcoming all ages to learn the art of building beautiful, balanced boards.
From humble beginnings to a growing Maine favorite, Downtown Charcuterie is more than just a business — it’s a celebration of food, community, and the memories made around the table. Z
Make it MEMORABLE
UNIQUE ELEMENTS TO INCLUDE AT YOUR WEDDING RECEPTION
COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE
Couples planning their wedding undoubtedly hope the day will be one to remember forever. Setting an occasion apart from other weddings and big events may come down to some creative touches.
r PHOTO BOOTH
There is a reason why photo booths, complete with entertaining props and various backdrops, are so popular. A photo booth is a great way for guests to capture the day and take home a memento. Couples can review the photo booth images and enjoy snippets of unscripted and unposed moments from the party.
r INTERESTING SWEETS DISPLAY
Couples can elevate their wedding receptions by offering guests something that’s a cut above a piece of wedding cake. A “Venetian Hour” is an Italian-inspired wedding tradition that features a lavish dessert buffet presented after the cake cutting. Offer a table filled with various candies, cordials, doughnuts, cupcakes, or whatever special sweet you want to showcase. Serve with monogrammed napkins for an extra special touch.
r ENTERTAINING PERFORMANCE
Performers can run the gamut from cultural dancers celebrating a couple’s heritage to magicians to even a specialized singer. In addition to a band or DJ, this performer can engage the audience and provide them with a bona fide show.
r SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
Whether a couple chooses an entire open bar or has select alcoholic offerings for guests, a signature cocktail can make the reception even more special. Tie the drink’s ingredients or theme into something that pertains to the couple’s interests or history. For example, if the couple sipped Moscow Mules on their first date, serve a First Date Mule at the wedding reception. Z
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BREEZY PHOTOGRAPHY
DRESSING Up
TIPS FOR WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING
COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE
Shopping for a wedding gown can spark mixed emotions. While it is exciting to try on some remarkable garments, there also is the pressure of knowing all eyes will be on you. Narrowing down wedding gown prospects can take vision, time and patience. The following pointers can help when it comes time to visit bridal shops.
r MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Many bridal shops operate by appointment only. That’s because the staff wants to devote complete attention to a client, and having people simply walk in from the street can draw their attention away, and/or lead to long wait times. Identify the stores you want to visit, and then call to secure your time slot.
r NARROW DOWN STYLES
Think about your personal style and how you want to look on your wedding day. If you’re not sure about the vocabulary surrounding dress silhouettes, visit Pinterest or Instagram and save images of dresses that you love. Then you can show the sales staff what you are thinking instead of going in empty-handed.
r KEEP AN OPEN MIND
Try on a few different styles even if you have a particular dress in mind. You never know if something might be a better fit for your body type or the scope and style of your wedding unless you give it a try.
r START THE PROCESS EARLY
Unlike off-the-rack clothing, most wedding shops will have to order your dress and have it shipped. Then comes a few weeks for alterations. Eight to 12 months before a wedding is a good time to choose and order a dress. Brides magazine says most made-to-order wedding gowns take about six to nine months to create. And there may be multiple fittings to ensure the gown will fit like a glove.
r INVITE A HANDFUL OF
CONFIDANTES
It’s best not to arrive at the shopping appointment with an entire entourage. Pick, at the most, four people whose opinions you trust; otherwise, it could be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen. As a bride-to-be you’ll already be anxious, and you’ll want soothing, supportive people with you.
r PLAN YOUR BUDGET
Know well in advance what you can afford to spend. According to data from The Knot, wedding attire accounts for 7 percent of the average couple’s budget. Most wedding gowns are in the range of $2,000. Don’t forget about additional costs, such as veil, shoes, alterations, undergarments, and any add-ons.
In addition, arrive to your appointment wellrested, fed, and comfortable. Z
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BREEZY PHOTOGRAPHY
TOP TUX TRENDS
COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE
Theories on the origins of the tuxedo vary significantly. Some believe that this formal garment was created by wealthy aristocrats attending an autumn ball in Tuxedo Park, New York. However, the Wall Street Journal has reported that the tuxedo might be a British invention, spearheaded by the fashion-conscious King of Wales Edward VII in 1865. No matter where the tuxedo originated, it has become standard attire for formal occasions, including weddings.
r SUITS VERSUS TUXEDOS
What sets a tuxedo apart? One of the more notable differences is that tuxedo lapels are designed with silk, satin, or textured grosgrain to provide that signature V-look. Tuxedos traditionally are held up with suspenders and worn with a tuxedo shirt that likely has a spread collar, bib, decorative studs, and French cuffs fastened with cufflinks.
r CHANGE UP LAPEL STYLES
Notch lapels are the most common and feature two lateral points. Shawl collars feature a smooth, sleek looped lapel without notches or peaks. Peak lapels have the lower point of the lapel peak above the upper. Trying on the different jackets can give individuals an idea of which lapel look is best.
r NEW COLOR SPECTRUM
A traditional tuxedo will be black, although navy tuxedos have gained a following. But individuals can find a tuxedo in any color to coordinate to the season or align with what the rest of the bridal party is wearing.
r NECKTIES GRABBING HOLD
While bowties once were the gold standard, those personalizing their wedding looks and taking liberties with style are increasingly opting for neckties. Z
