Author: Aayushi Datta

By Aayushi Datta

From haunted mazes to eerie experiments and creative candy swaps, Winchester residents have no shortage of spooky fun this Halloween season. Local businesses and community groups are pulling out all the stops to bring both family-friendly and fright-filled activities to town.

Here are a few highlights:

Mahoney’s Haunted Maze

Through Sunday, Oct. 26

242 Cambridge, St.

At Mahoney’s Garden Center, Halloween tradition runs deep. For the past 15 years, families have wandered through the garden’s sprawling 13,000-square-foot haunted maze, a Winchester staple that blends fun and fright for all ages.

“This is our 15th year,” said Bob Rocco, director of stores at Mahoney’s. “It’s fun for all ages — anywhere from two to adult. As it gets darker, it gets a little more spooky, especially on weekends, when we have a cast of characters in costume.”

The maze features everything from graveyards and skeletons to mischievous clowns and even a monkey on the loose. During daylight hours, families often stop by after school to shop for pumpkins and let kids explore the maze before it transforms into a nighttime haunt.

The maze is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, weather permitting, through this Sunday.

Mahoney’s Trick or Treat Trail

Saturday, Oct. 25

242 Cambridge St.

This weekend also marks Mahoney’s annual trick-or-treat event, running Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., when children can follow a map around the property collecting candy — or healthier treats — from employees stationed throughout the grounds.

“Just trying to do it more as a safe Halloween, particularly for those that can’t get out on Halloween night,” Rocco said

The two events are Mahoney’s last before it starts setting up for their Christmas season.

Halloween Costume Party at the Jenks Center

Thursday, Oct. 30

109 Skillings Road

Halloween is not just for the kids. For Winchester’s older adults, the Jenks Center’s Halloween Costume Party is a must. The party is not limited to its members – anyone over the age of 55 is welcome to attend. Having a costume is mandatory for entry.

The event, held from 1:30 to 3 p.m., features refreshments, themed drinks, music and a lively costume parade. Guests can show off their costumes around the stage while attendees vote with applause for the best-dressed participants. The funniest, most creative and all-around best costumes will win prizes.

“This is the third year that we’ve hosted it, and it’s become a major success,” said Phillip Beltz, director at the Jenks Center. “We started it after COVID as a way to bring people together again.”

While the event is free, registration is required, and spots are filling fast. Beltz said it’s an afternoon full of laughter and creativity and a reminder that Halloween isn’t just for kids.

“It certainly shows that there’s no such thing as getting too old to have fun,” he said. “We’ll have tables set for groups of eight, music, snacks and a great time for everyone.”

“Dr. Fever Dream’s Sleep Experiment” at Winchester Unitarian Society

Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1

478 Main St.

If you’re looking for something a little scarier, the Winchester Unitarian Society’s haunted house is making its public debut — and it’s not your typical neighborhood haunt.

“This is the first year we’re doing a big haunted house for the public,” said Sam Wilson, director of youth and children’s ministries. “We’ve done smaller ones in the past, but this year we decided to expand it as a fundraiser.”

The immersive experience, titled “Dr. Fever Dream’s Sleep Experiment,” offers two paths:

●       The Dream Space, a kid-friendly outer-space adventure filled with black lights, glowing art and “friendly aliens.”

●       The Nightmare Lair, for ages 10 and up, where visitors descend into the doctor’s twisted laboratory, complete with spiders, mirrors, organ donors, and one particularly creepy assistant named Igor.

“The concept came from our youth group,” Wilson said. “They came up with the idea of a science lab sleep experiment and really ran with it. We even got props and decorations from another congregation that used to do a big haunted house.”

The haunted house runs Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m., with concessions available at the entrance.

Proceeds will benefit the society’s youth programs and upcoming service trips.

 

Candy Collaborations at the Winchester Public Library

Saturday, Nov. 1

80 Washington St.

For a cozier post-trick-or-treat gathering, head to the Winchester Public Library, where the Candy Collaboration lets kids meet up with friends and get creative with their candy hauls.

“We hope it’s an opportunity for friends to meet up after trick-or-treating and swap their candy or find creative ways to use their leftovers,” said Brittany Delorme, head of children’s services at the library.

The program invites children and families to bring in leftover Halloween candy for crafts, games, and sweet-tooth-friendly fun — a wind-down after a night of sugar and scares. The event will run on Nov. 1, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Aayushi Datta is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

This article was originally published on October 24, 2025.

By Aayushi Datta

Winchester officials are turning their attention to one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks, Wedge Pond, as part of a new open space and recreation plan that outlines improvements to parks, trails and natural areas over the next six years.

This is the town’s fourth such plan, which aims to protect the town’s open spaces while making them more accessible and environmentally healthy. The plan provides residents with a report on the town’s recreational facilities and natural environment.

At a Sept. 8 public hearing on the plan, residents said they wanted it to focus on water quality for ponds across town. Wedge Pond, long known for algae blooms and high bacteria levels, is one of the plan’s main focus areas.

Elaine Vreeland, Winchester’s conservation administrator, said the pond is a priority from both recreational and conservation aspects of the plan.

The Conservation Commission will focus on water quality. For years, residents have raised concerns about the health of Wedge Pond. High bacteria counts and recurring algae blooms have kept the pond closed to swimming for long periods.

“There’s a history with the pond of so-called Wedge Pond fever, which goes back probably 60 years,” said John Stevens, who has lived near the pond for more than 30 years. “It’s getting more use now, but it still needs some help to be brought to standards that most people would accept for swimming.”

Testing and treatment of the pond are managed by Water & Wetland, an environmental firm contracted by the town. According to a 2024 report from Water & Wetland, the pond has historically struggled with microscopic algae blooms, which can reduce water clarity and affect aquatic life.

“We conduct monthly site visits, which consist of on-site treatments as necessary,” said James Lacasse, a senior environmental scientist with the company.

The 2024 report documented two invasive plant species, curly-leaf pondweed and purple loosestrife, while native plants, such as coontail and water lilies, continued to thrive, sometimes reaching nuisance levels. Dissolved oxygen readings, which indicate water health, generally showed healthy levels for fish and aquatic organisms, although algae blooms remained a recurring issue.

Lacasse said the town is considering adding an aeration system to pump oxygen into the water, which could reduce algae growth and improve water clarity. The proposed aeration system could cost $35,000 to $40,000 and would mix the water column to reduce harmful algae blooms.

Vreeland said the Conservation Commission is working on getting the aeration equipment. The project is awaiting final approval.

Nick Cacciolfi, Winchester’s recreation director, said his department is working to make the Borggaard Beach area around Wedge Pond more inviting. Borggaard Beach is currently closed because of high levels of bacteria in the water. Although intended to be a bathing beach, the town has set an alternative goal to make the beach more usable until the water quality issue is resolved.

“Our goal is to make it accessible and available to people that want to enjoy it as a park,” Cacciolfi said.

Two beach volleyball courts are set for construction this fall, and the town plans to add picnic tables, better walking paths, and a small area for kayak launches.

“These are the steps that we’re taking to make it open and feasible for future expansion and to clean up the area,” Cacciolfi said.

Volunteer groups have also become part of the effort to restore the pond. The Friends of Wedge Pond, a local community group, has organized cleanup days, removed invasive plants and raised awareness about the pond’s condition.

The Friends have received Community Preservation Act funding for minor improvements in addition to the ones already being made by the recreation department. Under the CPA, towns can collect a small property-tax surcharge that the state matches by up to 40%. The money can be used for open space, recreation, affordable housing, and historic preservation.

Approximately $60,000 in CPA funds have been allocated to support upcoming Wedge Pond projects. At a June 10 meeting, Bill Band reported that state Rep. Michael Day had secured a $150,000 earmark in the state budget for Wedge Pond water quality.

“In the short term, the next year or so, you’re going to see a lot of action down there and bringing it up to speed, and making it more of a town resource than it’s been over the last four or five years,” Cacciolfi said.

For Stevens, Winchester’s plan is a significant step toward fighting climate change.

“These efforts, to me, are important,” Stevens said. “Winchester can’t alone accomplish or limit climate change. It can be an example, and it can also, with the cooperation of others, help to, presumably, minimize the change in climate.”

Aayushi Datta is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between the Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

This article was originally published on October 16, 2025.

By Aayushi Datta

For one day each fall, Winchester classrooms transform into realms of imagination, creativity, a touch of magic and a little madness. For 31 years, Winchester’s Authorfest has united students with the authors and illustrators who bring some of their favorite stories to life.

Organized by the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence, Authorfest is set for Oct. 10, preceded by a Preview Night on Oct. 9, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Twenty authors will visit all public elementary schools, McCall Middle School and Winchester High School during the school day on Oct. 10. That will be followed by a meet-and-greet at Town Hall, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Book Ends will also be having a book sale.

“I call it the best day of the entire school year,” said Maggie Vande Vrede, the foundation’s executive director.

The process of selecting authors begins in November of the previous year.

“I look for authors and illustrators that are known for being great presenters,” Vande Vrede said. “So not only are they writing great stories, but they have great stories to tell to the students.”

This year’s lineup features a mix of returning and new authors. New authors include Hanna Cha and J.E. Morris for elementary schools, Kate Fussner for middle school, and Malinda Lo and Meg Kissinger for high school. Lesa Cline-Ransome returns as a 2025 Newbery Medal winner for her book “One Big Open Sky.”

Graphic novelist Gareth Hinds, known for his adaptations of classics such as “The Odyssey,” will walk students through his creative process, from initial sketches to final illustrations. He will also briefly discuss video games.

“I’ll show a little sneak peek of my upcoming projects,” Hinds said.

Hinds hopes to inspire students and motivate them to continue developing their drawing and writing skills.

“Most people get to a point where they’re really struggling with their writing or their art, and they often stop,” Hinds said. “So hopefully seeing somebody doing what they love and hearing more about my process will encourage them to continue to do those things.”

Authorfest not only allows students and authors to meet, but also helps authors and illustrators network with each other. Vande Vrede said many authors look forward to attending because it is one of the few times they get to meet one another.

Donate today!

Carrie Finison, a picture book author, has been a returning participant since her first time during the pandemic in 2021. She said she enjoys presenting at Authorfest every year because of how engaged the students are.

“I can tell that they’ve really spent a lot of time in class, thinking about books and words and writing and just talking about it and noticing things in stories,” Finison said.

Her latest book, “Dozens of Doughnuts,” is the inspiration for her Authorfest workshop, “Revisions with Extra Sprinkles.” During the workshop, Finison walks students through the playful yet painstaking process of reworking a story.

“The message really is when I put something down on paper, or when the illustrator puts something down on paper, the very first time it doesn’t come out perfectly,” Finison said. “I don’t want them to be intimidated, or fearful about changing their words, making revisions.”

She will share her first draft of the book and explain aspects of the story, such as her use of onomatopoeia. Finison also highlights the importance of making writing a group activity rather than a solo endeavor.

Last year, Authorfest introduced a Preview Night to give families another opportunity to participate. While book signings still occur on the day of the festival, Preview Night allows families who cannot attend right after school to browse featured books, participate in fun activities, and purchase books to be signed the following day.

Roxy’s Grilled Cheese food truck will be parked at Town Hall for families to enjoy.

“It’s just a way to get everyone pumped and ready for the next day of school,” Vande Vrede said.

The annual event continues to generate interest from both students and authors more than three decades after it started.

“This is a beloved tradition and is truly unique to Winchester,” Vande Vrede said.

Aayushi Datta is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between the Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

This article was originally published on October 6, 2025.