The empty Victorian house with the peeling paint and sagging front porch was every little kid’s secret terror, a place that could give you goose bumps even on a sunny day, so you can imagine what it was like with a full moon and wind rustling through the large oaks on the side yard.

We called it “the castle house” because of its turret, and would cross the street to create a wide berth whenever we went past, thoroughly convinced it was haunted. Of course, hearing scary stories from the older kids in the neighborhood only added to the house’s legend.

The property in my hometown has long since been renovated, although the paint color the owners chose is a little scary in its own right. Apparently the family living there hasn’t had a problem with ghosts, but who’s to say the spirits aren’t just congregating in the attic biding their time?

This is certainly the time of year when goblins come to mind, and in this issue of Elegant Living, Susan Guynn reports on the local haunt-spots.

With its involvement in the Civil War, many of Frederick County’s legends center around old battlefields and the ghosts are likely to be spotted wearing soldier’s uniforms. I have to admit to a visit to Spook Hill near Burkittsville one night and I swear there really was something pushing our car up a hill.

Fall also brings with it a hunger for heartier food and Lori Rypka tells readers about Hedgeapple Farm near Buckystown where the beef is about as local as it gets. Hearty is also the characteristic for beer that’s specially brewed for autumn. Brian Englar visited with three local brewmasters to get the story, including the discovery that there’s a brew that incorporates butternut squash and pumpkin pie spices.

Let’s raise a glass to the new beers and a new season.

Nancy Luse, Editor