More local news
Organized by the Friends of the Essex Council on Aging, the October tradition raises funds for senior programs and events through the sale of scarecrow kits.

E.T. PHONE ESSEX!  

It looks like everyone’s favorite extraterrestrial has landed in Essex, just in time for Halloween!

Nine Questions, One Ballot: A Guide to 2026 Ballot Measures

Voters will have plenty to consider when they head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3. Alongside races for public office, this year’s ballot features nine statewide questions.
Slow River Studios began in 2022 teaching art to adults in an Essex barn.  After expanding to Topsfield, the studio in November will officially add Magnolia to its creative studio roster.

Slow River Studio Returns to Cape Ann with Magnolia Art School

Slow River Studio, an art school for adults that got its start in an Essex barn in 2019, is returning to Cape Ann with a new location at 27 Lexington Avenue in Magnolia.  Classes begin Sunday, Nov. 1.
Greenbelt Osprey Season. Volunteers documented 103 breeding pairs and 127 fledglings during the 2026 season

OSPREYS ON THE RISE

It was another record year for Ospreys north of Boston, where Greenbelt staff and volunteers documented 103 breeding pairs and 127 fledglings during the 2026 season.
Charles Hopkinson (1869-1962), Three Dancing Girls, 1917-1923, oil on canvas, on its return to the Cape Ann Museum last week.  The purchase was made possible through proceeds from the 2023 CAM Luncheon.

Manchester Artist’s Painting Returns to Cape Ann Museum After Restoration

A painting with deep roots in Manchester’s artistic history has returned to the Cape Ann Museum following several months of restoration and conservation work.
The Memorial Tree
A TREE FOR KEN
 Friends, family and neighbors gathered at Masconomo Park this weekend to dedicate a memorial tree to longtime Manchester resident Ken Warnock, who died unexpectedly in March 2025 at age 55.
The three candidates for 5th Essex District MA State Representative.  From left, Christina Delisio, Republican from Manchester, incumbent Dru Tarr, Democrat from Gloucester, and Gil Frieden, Independent from Essex. 
Déjà Vu on the Debate Stage as 5th Essex Candidates Face Off Again
For voters who followed last spring's special election for the 5th Essex District, Tuesday night's candidate debate at Gloucester High School had a familiar feel.
Painting Manchester Harbor during CAPA's annual "Quick Draw" competition.
CAPE ANN, ONE BRUSHSTROKE AT A TIME
For one glorious week, Cape Ann became an outdoor artist’s studio as Cape Ann Plein Air celebrated its 10th anniversary, bringing accomplished painters from near and far to capture the region’s landscapes, harbors, historic architecture and coastal light
Lifestyle
This year’s Goblin King Ball is set for October 30.

October’s Perfect for Hammond Castle

The Hammond Castle Museum has welcomed visitors to its grounds for a century to explore its history, architecture, and special events.  But when October arrives, the Halloween activities bring a new atmosphere to the castle’s deep-rooted history.

WHAT CHANGED HANDS

Property transfers in Manchester and Essex recorded between April 1 and May 1, 2026 with the Essex County, Massachusetts Registry of Deeds.

WHAT CHANGED HANDS

Property transfers in Manchester and Essex recorded between March 3 and March 31, 2026 with the Essex County, Massachusetts Registry of Deeds.
Home of the week at Raymond Street

On the Sand at Magnolia Beach

Located at 53 Raymond Street and listed for $4,595,000, the four-bedroom home sits directly on the sand, with sweeping views of the Atlantic.  It also offers immediate access to one of Cape Ann’s most loved beaches, especially by locals who consider this a low-key, quiet beach that’s not on the radar for out-of-towners.
Detectives at Augusta Johnson's House

The Rockport Murder Mysteries to the Big Screen

Two unsolved murders that shook Rockport nearly a century ago are coming to the big screen this October. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1623 Studios ...
Home and Garden
Little ones at weekly story hour enjoy selecting books to read on their own and take home.

Essex Library Notes | October 23

In upcoming weeks at the TOHP Burnham Library there is  Candy Sushi for Teens, Halloween Storytime with the Reading Dogs, and more.

Some design trends that arrive with great fanfare and disappear just as quickly.  Americana isn't one of them.
Pets and People

What's Safe in Your Dog's Bowl, and What Isn't

Pet dog eating his food.

One of the most confusing areas of pet care are what to feed your companion animal.  Many of the answers should be guided by the age, breed and health of the dog or cat.

Books

Manchester Library Notes | Oct 23

Kids and teens enjoyed painting sugar pumpkins at the library last week thanks to a generous donation from Utopia Farms.

There are great things happening this week, Mystery Book Group, Nintendo Switch Set Up for Teens, Dungeons & Dragons for Adults, and much more.

Columnists

2026 Ford F-150 Raptor: America's Favorite Guilty Pleasure

Ford F-150-Raptor exterior view

There are few vehicles you can buy today that are more politically incorrect than the 2026 Ford F-150 Raptor.  It's enormous and thirsty, and its supposed reason for existing is to travel very quickly over terrain that would destroy a normal truck, which virtually no prospective buyer will ever do.

Sports
The Hornets football team.

ME Football Looks For Breakout Win vs. Triton

Is this a sign of better days to come for the Manchester Essex football team?

ME Girls Soccer Looks to Take Next Step Forward

The little things have carried greater meaning this season for the Manchester Essex girls soccer team.

Different Methods, Similar Results for ME Lax Teams in Tourney

Charlie Thurlow charges the net against the East Bridgewater Vikings during MIAA D4 Round of 32.  The Hornets prevailed 17-4..
While the end result was essentially the same, both Manchester Essex lacrosse teams found different ways to earn decisive wins in the first round of the MIAA Div. 4 Tournament this past …
Obituaries
Jean Sara McKenna
Jean Sara McKenna, 89, of Beverly, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 19, 2026. S he is deeply loved and missed by her family, friends, neighbors and church community. Jean …
Helen Bethell  
Helen Bethell, a leader in local and state conservation for almost five decades, died on October 19. She was 94. Born February 13, 1932, in Greenwich, Connecticut, Helen Marie Anne Delage was …
John Edmund Donoghue
John Edmund Donoghue of Cape Coral, FL, formerly of Manchester-by-the-Sea and Tewksbury, MA, passed away suddenly on October 13th, 2026, at the age of 74. Born in Winchester, MA, on May 4th, …
Carolyn (Hull) Anderson
Carolyn (Hull) Anderson, the revered oldest resident of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2026, having beautifully completed a remarkable 100-year journey of …
Katherine “Kay” P. Bulgaris
Katherine “Kay” P. Bulgaris, 88, wife of the late Michael A. Bulgaris, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2026, at the Kaplan House in Danvers. Born January 30,1938, Kay was the daughter …
Find us on Facebook
Letters
Around the web
Why are school mornings so stressful? A psychologist explains, and organizers share what works
Closets by Design reports that school mornings are stressful due to time constraints and disorganization. 
Are you mentally healthy? 15 signs to look for
Rula reports that good mental health involves coping skills, strong relationships, and a sense of purpose. 
What 8 hours on your feet really does to your body
KURU Footwear reports that being on your feet for eight hours can cause various physical issues like muscle fatigue, pain, and cardiovascular risks, emphasizing the need for varied movement and better workplace design to mitigate discomfort.
Can feng shui lower stress? What the research on clutter actually shows
Closets by Design reports on feng shui's potential to reduce stress by organizing spaces for energy flow, aligning with research on clutter and well-being.
Scammers are finding new ways to target your phone. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself
Malwarebytes reports scammers are targeting mobile users with increasingly sophisticated scams.