Category Archives: Massachusetts

Pumpkin Weigh‑Offs: Weight Watchers Need Not Apply

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A black cat with bright yellow eyes sits among dozens of small orange pumpkins. The pumpkins fill the entire frame, creating a vivid contrast with the cat’s dark fur.

🍂  Fall in New England Means Pumpkins

A huge carved pumpkin sits outdoors on a stack of wooden pallets. It has triangular eyes and a wide smiling jack‑o’-lantern mouth, with autumn foliage in the background.Fall in New England means pumpkins — everywhere. Big ones, little ones, carved ones, decorative ones. If Linus were around, he’d probably swear the Great Pumpkin was hiding somewhere between Route 1 and the cider stand.

Every year, growers try to outdo themselves, and every fair seems to have a pumpkin weigh‑off. But this year? We had some true giants.

🎃 Topsfield Fair: The Local Heavyweight

Last week at the Topsfield Fair, a true behemoth walked away with first place. The winning pumpkin weighed in at 2,598 pounds, breaking the all‑time Topsfield Fair record. That’s a lot of pies.

A massive pumpkin sits on a wooden pallet, secured with black straps, while a forklift lifts it inside an indoor event space. Several people stand around watching, indicating it’s part of a pumpkin weigh‑off at the Topsfield Fair.

🎃 Warren, RI: A New World Record

A man stands behind an enormous pumpkin weighing 3,156 pounds at an outdoor weigh‑off event. The pumpkin sits on a platform with a digital display showing its weight, and an orange event board with flags is visible in the background.And just when you thought pumpkins couldn’t get any bigger, Saturday’s New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh‑Off in Warren, RI delivered a monster.

The winning pumpkin tipped the scale at 3,156 pounds, setting not just a regional record — but a new world record.

The grower, Ron Wallace of Coventry, RI, is no stranger to pumpkin fame. In 2012, he became the first person ever to grow a pumpkin over a ton (that’s 2,000 pounds if you didn’t know). He’s now waiting for Guinness World Records to certify his newest accomplishment.

🎃 Up‑and‑Coming Growers

There are rising stars too. Take 13‑year‑old Harold Harris from Martha’s Vineyard. He raised two massive pumpkins — not 2,000‑pound giants, but impressive for any grower, let alone a teenager. His pumpkins weighed 340 pounds and 535 pounds. Not bad for someone who probably still has homework.

And in case you were wondering, that 2,598‑pound Topsfield pumpkin? It was grown by an 80‑year‑old man. Age clearly has nothing to do with pumpkin power.

🎃 What Happens to the Giants?

I don’t know what happens to these behemoths once their spotlight fades, but their smaller cousins will soon shine. The Roger Williams Zoo is preparing its annual Jack‑O‑Lantern Spectacular, with over 5,000 carved pumpkins lighting up the Wetlands Trail.

These aren’t your childhood triangle‑eyes and one‑tooth grins. These are true works of art carved by professional pumpkin artists. I went a few years ago — the skill and creativity are incredible. A far cry from my crooked little childhood jack‑o‑lanterns. A large group of carved pumpkins glows in the dark, each with a unique face ranging from cheerful to spooky. The pumpkins are arranged at different heights, creating a bright, warm display against the black background.

🎃 Enjoy the Pumpkin Season

So enjoy the New England pumpkin excitement while it lasts. It will be gone soon enough for another year. And if you see Linus, tell him the Great Pumpkin is alive and well — and currently residing in Warren, RI.

Two cats sit among a large group of pumpkins in an outdoor pumpkin patch. One cat is long‑haired and orange, the other short‑haired and black. Both rest on top of big pumpkins, with trees, people, and an American flag visible in the background.

 

 

Driving the Mohawk Trail

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Large bronze elk statue standing behind a black metal fence in Charlemont, Massachusetts, a well‑known roadside landmark along the Mohawk Trail with a house and trees in the background.

“The Elk of Charlemont — guardian of the Mohawk Trail.”

The Mohawk Trail Elk

If you’ve ever driven the Mohawk Trail, you’ve probably met this fellow — the famous elk statue standing watch in Charlemont. He’s been greeting travelers for generations, a quirky landmark from the old roadside‑attraction era. Locals simply call him The Elk, and for many of us, he’s the unofficial mascot of the Mohawk Trail. Seeing him always meant you were on one of New England’s most scenic drives, where the road bends, the hills rise, and the pace finally slows down.

A Fast Life on the Mass Pike

When I first moved to Massachusetts, most weekends were spent racing back and forth to New York where my family lived. I’d rush out of the house, toss an overnight bag in the car, and shoot straight onto the Mass Pike. Then I’d drive like a bat out of… well, let’s just say the posted speed limits and I weren’t always on speaking terms. It became a game — how much faster could I make the trip this week compared to last. I was lucky. Out of all those runs, I only got stopped once.

Breaker Breaker 19: The CB Era

A person in a tan cowboy hat and red shirt sits in the front seat of a moving vehicle, speaking into a CB radio microphone. Behind them, another person with long brown hair looks out the window while brushing their hair back. The blurred scenery outside suggests the vehicle is in motion.

A close-up of a handheld CB radio microphone used for two-way communication.

Back in the ’70s, my need for speed had a little helper: the CB radio. Breaker Breaker 19 — any smokies ahead? Sometimes I’d slide into a “rocking chair” between two big rigs and we’d fly down the highway together. But one day, I decided to try something different.

Discovering the Mohawk Trail

Instead of putting the pedal to the metal, I went north on 128, cruised right past the Mass Pike entrance, picked up Route 2/2A near Concord, and headed west. Welcome to the Mohawk Trail.

You don’t take the Mohawk Trail for speed. You take it to enjoy an old‑fashioned, winding two‑lane road. It wanders through tiny villages and hamlets, follows rivers and streams, and even throws a full 180‑degree hairpin curve at you.

hairpin curve on the Mohawk Trail

That’s one turn you definitely don’t want to take at highway speed.

Briight fall colors and foliageFall Foliage at Its Finest

In the fall, the scenery is spectacular. Maple trees blaze bright red, and every other tree seems to toss in its own color for emphasis. The road winds through the Berkshires, always curving, always meandering — which makes perfect sense. For centuries, the Mohawk Trail served as a Native American footpath connecting tribes between the Hudson and Connecticut River valleys. Once automobiles arrived, it was only natural that a motor road would follow the same path.

One of America’s Oldest Scenic Byways

Today, the Mohawk Trail is one of the oldest scenic byways in the country, and it rewards anyone willing to slow down. Soak up the atmosphere. Explore the little towns and villages. This is some of the most beautiful country in all of New England. The Mohawk isn’t a route to rush through — it’s meant to be savored.

A Drive Worth Remembering

It’s still one of my favorite drives, even if I don’t get to enjoy it as often as I used to. Maybe that’s why it remains so special to me. So the next time you have a few extra hours and want an old‑fashioned road trip — a true Sunday‑afternoon drive — think of the Mohawk Trail and give it a try. You might be surprised by how much you love it.

 

Haunted October: Bridgewater University

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A lone figure stands on a forest path surrounded by tall, bare trees. Cool blue light filters through the mist, creating an eerie, dreamlike atmosphere. The ground is covered in reddish leaves that contrast sharply with the blue haze. The person faces away from the viewer, adding a sense of mystery and quiet tension to the scene.

Welcome to the Triangle

A detailed map of southeastern Massachusetts with towns such as Taunton, Bridgewater, Easton, and North Dighton labeled. A large black triangle is drawn over the map, with its three points marking the traditional borders of the Bridgewater Triangle. The shaded regions, roads, and town names remain visible beneath the triangle, highlighting the area’s geography and the towns enclosed within the Triangle’s boundaries.Welcome to the Bridgewater Triangle — the most unsettling, folklore‑soaked region in Southeastern Massachusetts. Within these 200 square miles, you’ll find creatures, spirits, lights, legends, and mysteries that locals have whispered about for generations.

Here, Bigfoot is said to roam the Hockomock Swamp. Pukwudgies — small, mischievous forest beings — play tricks on the unsuspecting. UFO sightings, glowing orbs, and strange triangular craft appear in the night sky. Phantom monks wander historic sites. And Taunton sits right in the middle of it all.

The Triangle is formed by points from Abington (north) to Freetown (south) and Rehoboth (southeast), with communities like Bridgewater, Taunton, Brockton, and Dighton tucked inside its borders.

So let’s pick a mystery and dig in.

Ghosts of Bridgewater University

(formerly Bridgewater State College)

George — The Mischievous Spirit of the Student UnionA stately brick campus building with white columns and a central clock tower stands surrounded by green lawns and trees. The sun is setting behind it, casting a golden glow across the sky and creating long, warm shadows over the grounds. Smaller brick buildings sit nearby, completing the peaceful university scene.

Imagine being a brand‑new student, still learning your way around campus, when a mischievous spirit starts pulling pranks. Meet George, the campus ghost who loves attention.

Students and staff report:

  • Objects moved when no one is around
  • Lights flicking on and off
  • Music starting or stopping by itself
  • Doors locking unexpectedly

George hangs out at the Student Union, and while he’s playful, he’s never harmful. What makes him especially strange? No one knows where he came from. There’s no tragic backstory, no recorded death, no historical tie. George is just… George. A friendly prankster, a little like Casper — if Casper enjoyed messing with your playlist and locking you out of your study room.

The Tillinghast Hall Headmaster

A large three‑story brick campus building with white trim and rows of windows stands behind a paved walkway. Leafless trees frame the scene, and sunlight reflects off several windows. The surrounding grass and bare branches suggest late fall or winter.Tillinghast Hall carries a quieter, more somber legend.

According to campus lore, the former headmistress fell from the roof while climbing up to discipline noisy students late at night. Whether the story is literal truth or campus myth, students agree on one thing: she never left the building.

Reports include:

  • Soft, measured footsteps in the hallway
  • A faint scent of old‑fashioned perfume
  • Doors closing gently on their own
  • A shadowy figure with upright posture at the end of the corridor
  • Cold spots near the stairwell

She’s not violent. She doesn’t frighten. She supervises. A ghost still doing her rounds, making sure her dorm stays orderly.

Woodward Hall’s Phantom A red‑brick multi‑story building identified as Woodward Hall at Bridgewater State University. A large maroon sign in the foreground displays the building’s name and address. Tall windows, dormers, trees, and landscaped greenery surround the hall, all lit by bright sunshine.

Woodward Hall brings a different energy — sharper, louder, more chaotic.

Students and visitors have reported:

  • Shadow figures darting through hallways
  • A man running through the historic corridors
  • A disembodied voice screaming “FIRE!” — believed to reference historical fires connected to the site
  • Elevators behaving strangely: stopping on the wrong floors, opening without being called, or refusing to close

Woodward’s ghost is more intense than George or the Headmaster — a restless presence tied to the building’s past emergencies.

Anything Goes in the Triangle

Anywhere else, these hauntings would be remarkable — maybe even frightening. But this is Bridgewater, the beating heart of the Bridgewater Triangle.

Here, ghosts, creatures, lights, and legends are simply part of the landscape. Part of the history. Part of October.

Registration is open — if you don’t mind sharing your dorm with George, the Headmaster, and a phantom yelling “fire” at 2 a.m.

Bright orange and yellow flames rise and curl against a completely black background. The fire burns on a flat surface, its shapes shifting and glowing sharply in the darkness.

 

WMEO News Update — October Declared Massachusetts Cranberry Month

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Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. On the left, an orange long‑haired cat wearing a black bow tie sits upright with a serious expression. On the right, a black short‑haired cat looks toward the camera with bright green eyes. A microphone stands between them on the desk, along with papers featuring paw prints and two small plush toys — a gray mouse and a brown teddy bear. Behind them, a large studio screen displays a photo of a cranberry bog filled with floating red cranberries under a blue sky, along with the headline “WMEO 9 October Is Cranberry Month.”

Live from the Nature Desk at WMEO 9, We bring you the latest Cranberry update

WMEO 9- We Meow-You Listen

Banner: Governor Maura Healey has officially proclaimed October as “Massachusetts Cranberry Month,” honoring the state’s official berry and the many multi‑generational farming families that grow them. Moreover, it’s a nod to the deep agricultural roots that keep the Commonwealth colorful every fall.

Balboa: Cranberries? Those are tart little red berries that float. Naturally, they make me think of Thanksgiving — cranberry sauce, muffins, maybe pie.

Banner: Massachusetts is home to the nation’s oldest continuous cranberry cultivation. Therefore, even without the Governor’s declaration, October is a big month for cranberries. The harvest is in full swing.

Meanwhile, we go now to our roving reporter, Pumpkin Spice, who is currently enjoying a cranberry bog.

Pumpkin Spice, an orange tabby cat dressed as a WMEO field reporter, stands in a cranberry bog surrounded by floating red cranberries. He wears a white “Boogie in the Bog” T‑shirt and a black WMEO press hat decorated with an orange leaf. He holds a WMEO‑branded microphone in one paw and looks directly at the camera with a serious expression. Behind him are water, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.Pumpkin Spice: “Pumpkin Spice reporting live from the cranberry bogs of Massachusetts — where apparently the entire state is just… fruit water. Lots and lots of fruit. And lots and lots of cold water.”

“In the last week I’ve been soaked in a storm, chased by bears, and now I’m wading through berries. Consequently, this job is a hazard.”

Balboa (from off‑camera): “PUMPKIN THEY’RE GONNA COME BACK FOR YOU YOU’RE SMALL AND SNACK‑SIZED!”

Pumpkin Spice : “Balboa, please. I’m a professional. At least, I got this cool shirt out of it.”

A white T‑shirt featuring a playful design of three cartoon red cranberries dancing on a musical staff with a treble clef and music notes. Below the illustration, the text reads “Boogie in the Bog.”

Banner: “Thank you, Pumpkin. Please return safely. Otherwise, we cannot afford another bear‑related incident.”

Pumpkin (muttering): “They were surprisingly fast.”

Finally, Banner closes: “And just a reminder, folks — Ocean Spray’s 15th Annual Fall Harvest Celebration will be held at Patriot Place in Foxboro on Saturday, October 24 from 10 AM to 4 PM. This free, family‑friendly autumn tradition features seasonal activities throughout Patriot Place and behind Bass Pro Shop.”

Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. The orange cat on the left wears a dark blue bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a small gray mouse toy and a brown teddy bear. A sheet of paper with red markings lies on the desk. The front of the desk displays the text “WMEO 9” in large yellow letters and “Thank you for watching” in white. The blurred newsroom background features blue and red tones.

 

 

 

 

 

October in the Witch City

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Front entrance of the Salem Witch Museum, a dark stone Gothic building with tall arched windows glowing red from interior lighting. The museum’s sign hangs above the doorway, and an iron gate with surrounding greenery frames the scene, creating an eerie, dramatic atmosphere.

Circular “Witch City” emblem featuring a silhouette of a witch flying on a broomstick against a yellow background. Below her are red‑roofed buildings and green trees representing Salem, Massachusetts. The text “1692 WITCH CITY” appears at the top and “SALEM, MA” at the bottom.Salem’s Haunted Happenings 

October is Salem’s month — how could it not be? The city is rich in history, tragedy, folklore, and theatrical flair. And this year is extra special: Salem is celebrating its 400th anniversary, a milestone that predates the United States itself. (We only just marked our 250th.)

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The season kicked off with the Grand Parade on Thursday, October 1. If you missed it, don’t worry — Haunted Happenings is a full‑month celebration. One of our favorites is the Howl‑o‑ween Pet Parade, coming up fast on Saturday, October 10 at 10:30 a.m.

Black cat wearing a tall witch hat with a crescent moon decoration, holding a camera and wearing a press badge around its neck. The background is softly lit with warm, blurred lights, giving the scene a whimsical, Halloween‑themed atmosphere.

Salem in October: A City TransformedSkeleton figure wearing a red bandana posed inside a tall, narrow black metal cage outdoors. The cage sits on a brick walkway in front of a red‑brick building, with the skeleton gripping the bars as part of a Halloween or spooky decorative display.

For eleven months of the year, Salem is a quiet New England port. But in October? It becomes a full‑scale carnival.

The streets fill with witches, warlocks, zombies, pirates, ghosts, and every costume imaginable. The energy is contagious — it’s almost impossible not to get swept up in the fun.

Parking, however, is another story. City officials strongly recommend taking the train, ferry, or public transit. Driving into Salem in October is… well, let’s just say it’s a topic best left undiscussed.

Visitors stand near a historic dark‑wood colonial house with steep pitched roofs, while a stone church with arched windows and a tower rises behind it. The scene is set on a sunny day with greenery and a sidewalk in the foreground, highlighting Salem’s blend of preserved architecture and modern tourism.So Much to See — It Can Get Overwhelming

You’ve got the classics:

  • The Witch House
  • The House of the Seven Gables
  • The Salem Witch Museum

But then add dozens of special events, pop‑ups, tours, performances, markets, and historical programs — and suddenly your day fills up fast.

This is where a local guide can make a huge difference.

⭐ GoWithGuide – A Helpful Option for Navigating the Chaos

 


One way to make the most of your visit is to use a local guide who knows the city, the crowds, and the timing. GoWithGuide is one option we recommend. Our interactions with them have always been friendly, helpful, and responsive.

A local guide can:

  • help you plan your route
  • make sure you don’t miss the sites you care about
  • steer you away from bottlenecks
  • save you time and frustration
  • answer questions before you even arrive

With the 400th anniversary drawing bigger crowds than usual, having someone who knows the city inside and out can be a real advantage.

The Big Finale – Halloween NightColorful fireworks burst against a dark night sky, with red, blue, white, and gold streaks radiating outward in bright, celebratory patterns.

Events change daily, building toward the grand finale on October 31. This year’s closing event is a 400‑drone light show over the North River at 10 p.m.

It will be packed and it will be loud. It will be unforgettable.

Have a Boo‑tiful Halloween

Enjoy Salem. Get into the spirit. Wear the costume. Eat the treats. Take the photos.

You’ll fit right in.

Group of people dressed in Halloween costumes—including witches, skeletons, and other spooky characters—posing indoors in a room decorated with bats, cobwebs, and orange ornaments. A small round table with Halloween props like a skull and a spider sits in the center, creating a festive party atmosphere.