Witches, Ghosts, and Teenagers - Oh My!

On the first weekend of November, my good friend Sue and I went to Salem, MA with our kiddos (Lewie and Ryan) and their friend (Noah). Taking three boys on a trip is always a gamble, but as it turns out, for this trip...the scariest part was the ghost stories.

This year, the idea for a Halloween trip came to me when Lewie finished his required summer reading--How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather.  Based on characters from the Salem Witch Trials in MA, the book made Lewie curious about Salem's dark past. This is perfect! I thought to myself.  Salem has so much to offer between the Witch Museum, the ghost tours, the shops, and the restaurants, there would surely be enough to keep everyone entertained for a short weekend jaunt.

As the weekend drew closer, our plans were finalized, but not in the way I had hoped. Daddy Lew couldn't come with us. For one, his knee was bothering him too much. Then, his sister Michelle was admitted to the hospital. On Saturday morning, Lewie and I reluctantly said our goodbyes to him and then climbed into Sue's Jeep Wrangler for the 2.5-hour ride.

After arriving in Salem, we spent our first hours visiting all the adorable shops on Essex Street. We checked out clothing, trinkets, gems, posters, and even magic wands! We found a great place to have lunch, O'Neill's Pub & Restaurant, and then we went to the Salem Witch Museum, which provides a show/narration of all the events leading to the witch trials of 1692. There is a second exhibit, after the main event, which further explores the evolution of the word "witch." What was clear in the 1600s is that people needed "an enemy" to blame some of the fears of their time--illness (small pox), wars (threat of attack by native Americans), and a genuine distrust of others (new immigrants) with different backgrounds, traditions, and religions. The museum helped me see that in 2024, we still play off of these fears!

I love this pic of the three boys among a sea of gemstones and rocks.

The rest of the trip was focused on shopping, food, and coffee shops (which seemed to be around every corner), but, by far, the main attraction was the ghost tour we signed up for that Saturday night! We met our tour guide in front of the Salem Five Bank, once called the Salem Five Cents Savings Bank (or "Nickel Bank") when it was founded in 1855 because deposits started at just 5 cents. (The building still has the name Salem Five Cents Savings Bank engraved in its stone structure.)

While the bank itself did not have a ghost story, I wanted to learn more since it was an older structure in the city. Come to find out, this bank survived the Civil War, the two World Wars, and the Great Depression.  It also played a major role in the rebuilding of Salem after the Great Fire of 1914, which destroyed a good portion of the city. (Several of the ghost stories that were shared were connected to this fire. Even to this day, visitors still randomly smell smoke in certain homes and estates where the fire claimed lives.)  

Our tour guide knew a lot. He brought us to famous historical sites, old homes, hotels, and businesses that have become notorious for Salem hauntings. All five of us loved walking through the chilly streets to get a personal glance of each structure, and the stories kept getting weirder and weirder with each new location. At one point, I started to feel chills crawl up my spine. Was our tour guide really good at telling ghost stories, or did something supernatural startle me? Our guide told us specifically where ghosts, glowing orbs, smells, and sounds were experienced in each house. For example, some were on the top floor or some were in a specific room. My friend Sue would take pictures as he explained the locations and that's when the chilling effect really took hold! "Look at this," she told me when we were done with our tour and back at the hotel room. 

"What is that?" I asked, starting to feel uneasy. Below are some of the completely unaltered photos my friend took. There was simply no explanation for their weirdness other than the tragic and supernatural stories that were just shared with us.

Known as the "Salem Witch House," this four-hundred-year-old structure is one of the most famous buildings tied to the witch trials. Judge Jonathan Corwin and his wife lived here while he oversaw the execution of nineteen innocent victims accused of witchcraft. Then from 1684-1690, Judge Corwin and his wife had five children who all died young (some within weeks of childbirth). This has become known as the "Corwin Curse." Visitors of the house claim to hear disembodied voices or see apparitions. One person said they heard a child crying coming from the second floor.

 

In comparing these two photos, we see something glowing from the top window. The light (an orb?) appears to have moved during the mere second it took for my friend to snap another picture. Of course, she didn't know it was there when she was taking the pictures.

This is a photo my friend took of a window at the Joshua Ward House. Built in 1786 for a wealthy sea merchant, the mansion at 148 Washington Street was once visited by George Washington himself in 1789.  He stayed in a second story guest room, which has a reputation of having a "spirit" peer out the window--the same window my friend photographed.

I wish the ghost story ends there, but over the years people who have stepped inside this house have experienced scares like "a rogue candle flying off shelves," "ghostly cries of a child," and "the startling sensation of invisible hands circling your neck and...tightening." 

Right now, the mansion is off-limits to the general public, but it is still used by the Higginson Book Company and Carlson Realty; it's considered one of the most haunted places in Salem. Is it just us, or did Sue capture the spirit everyone talks about that peers out the window?

That night, I had a hard time getting to sleep, and once I did fall asleep, I had nightmares. To add insult to injury, my husband called earlier that evening to let me know his sister had passed away in the hospital. At the young age of 57, she lost her battle with cancer. There were no words.

While I've been on many Salem trips, this one felt different. On the one hand, I enjoy every trip we take with the boys because it's so much fun to be part of their world for a day or two. I'm always pleasantly surprised to see how quickly they mature in just a matter of months. On the other hand, this trip left me with a sense of profound sadness. The witch trials, though interesting, were tragic, and so were the stories from the fire and other misfortunes. Did we ultimately learn from the gruesome mistakes this city harbors, or in this day and age, do we still give into fearmongering--looking to blame "the other" for our inconveniences or mishaps? The history and ghost stories gave me a lot to ponder.

Change

I'm finally catching my breath after two very busy months. Everything is good, really good, but ever since the end of August, I feel like time sped up three-fold--maybe even quicker!

In mid-August, after completing yet another interview for a higher education position, I finally heard the words I had been waiting for over the past two years: "You're hired."  

"I'm hired?" I repeated, worried I might have heard the lady on the other end of the phone wrong.

"Yes. Sarah and Tamika would like you to begin on August 23rd. Does that work for you?"

August 23rd was less than two weeks away. I would have liked more time to spend with Lewie before he started school again this year. I would have liked more time to tell the Board of Directors at the Land Trust. I would have liked more time to get my life in order, but the words, "Yes, that's perfect," came out of my mouth. I could hardly believe what I was saying... Was I really ready to begin a new job again after working a little over a year at the Land Trust? 

Daddy Lew, Little Lewie, and my mother were all happy for me. They knew I missed higher education and was eager to go back to a position that was familiar. My year at the Land Trust had been interesting, but I felt like a fish out of water for most of it. I learned a lot about conservation, but, at the same time, I never felt like I knew enough to make a difference. Perhaps more knowledge would come in time, but for a full twelve months, I felt inadequate, and it weighed on me. 

On Friday, August 23rd, I started my new position, and on Monday, August 26th, Lewie started his sophomore year of high school. That same week, I started teaching two classes while helping train a new Executive Director at the Land Trust.  Before long, there was Meet the Teachers Night (where I contracted COVID and gave it to my mom).

On Sept. 16th, my husband turned 54 (I still had COVID), and then my birthday, my mom's birthday, and my niece's birthday all occurred from Oct. 3 - 11.  If that wasn't enough, Lewie was given a list of requirements to complete his Confirmation on Oct. 6th. There was a class, a retreat, a paper, an exam, and then preparation for his big day, which included buying him a new suit and shoes and a gift for his sponsor. 

For the following weekend, I had pre-purchased tickets to take my mom on the "Turkey Train" in Lake Winnipesaukee, NH on Saturday, and on Sunday, Lewie had a special Confirmation mass at our home parish. On Oct. 19th - 20th, I was asked to travel out-of-state for work. Yes, that's right. After working in my position for less than two months, I was asked to travel to Virginia to learn about an innovative associate's to bachelor's degree program (called ADVANCE)  between Northern Virginia (NOVA) Community College and George Mason University. It was an AWESOME trip, where I had a chance to visit two college campuses, learn about their unique transfer program, make friends, and explore Merrifield, VA.

Here are some highlights from the past two months of fun, excitement, and pure craziness.

1) Lewie's first day of Grade 10:

Since Lewie's first day, the three of us, Little Lewie, Bruce (our dog), and I, have a regular morning routine. I shower at 5 am, Lewie wakes up for 6, and Bruce comes over from Grammy's side around 6:15. I pack Lewie's lunch, make his breakfast (usually a fruit and yogurt parfait), and give Bruce a sweet potato chew. Lewie eats his breakfast around 6:30 and then brushes his teeth and flies out the door to meet the bus around 6:45. Depending on the weather, Bruce usually flies out the door to greet the bus, too. He stops at our fence and tries to play a game of chase with the cars behind the bus. It's pretty silly.

So far, Lewie has been loving his Sophomore year. I just finished parent-teacher conferences, and his teachers had so many wonderful things to say about him and his class participation. I don't want to jinx his awesome record, but so far, he may receive As in all his classes, including some challenging ones like Algebra II, Chemistry, and AP Computer Science. 

2) Lewie's Confirmation:

A few years back (after COVID), our Archdiocese decided students from all towns should come to the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford (our state capitol) to make their Confirmation. This was an unwelcome change for many, who would rather have the Confirmation performed at their church instead of making a long drive to an unknown cathedral.

Because of this long drive, we were worried about asking a sponsor to support Lewie. Would one of our family members or friends really be interested in giving up most of their Sunday for this event? As it turned out, Lewie's Aunt Missy volunteered to be his sponsor, and all of Lewie's cousins came to the cathedral. It was her birthday, too!  At the end of the ceremony, we had a little party for Lewie at our favorite restaurant, and I made sure to surprise Aunt Missy with a birthday cake. It was the least I could do!

Lewie, me, and Aunty Missy with the Bishop. Lewie chose the Saint name, Nicholas, since Saint Nicholas is the Saint that inspired the story of Santa Claus.

They used lots of incense.

Our restaurant celebration.

The very next weekend, Lewie was invited to come to a special mass at home to honor our new Confirmants. I made him get dressed in his suit again, but shortly after we arrived, we saw that the others were dressed pretty casual. Lewie just gave me an angry glare--mostly to be funny. How was I supposed to know this wasn't a dress-up event? Oh well! At least I was able to get some nice pictures with him at our church--the church where Lewie received all of his sacraments and the church where I received mine, too.

3) Mom's Surprise Birthday Party:

My mom turned 80 last year, and she made me promise that I would NOT have a birthday party for her under any circumstances. We could celebrate her birthday at home with us, but that was it. This year, in January, my mom was forced to retire after working 30+ years in insurance. The company she worked for, CDR, was bought out by a new insurance agency, World Insurance, which no longer supported my mom's part-time work. She was told she could either work full-time again or leave the agency. It was a blow to my mom who liked working from home to make a few extra dollars. It was a further blow because she lost her work family. 

In August, a few of my mom's work friends suggested we get together for her birthday. I knew my mom didn't like surprise parties, but I also knew my mom missed her work friends terribly. This would be a chance for her to see all or most of them again at one time! I made arrangements at a restaurant and concocted a story as to why we were taking her out to eat. She wasn't buying it. "I hope we're not having a party," she said to me.

"Okay...we might be meeting with a few others, but they are the ones that came to me. I didn't arrange it," I answered.  I was upset I had to give away the plan, but in the end, she was SURPRISED. She only thought we were meeting up with two people. She became pretty emotional when she saw a table of ten waiting to greet her. 

It was the perfect party as it felt like a reunion. Most of my mom's work friends from 30, 20, and 10 years ago had left World Insurance, too, so they were all happy to celebrate my mom while getting caught up with each other's lives. The best part was when I had a chance to read her friends' text messages to me. Here is just one among many texts I received from her work friends: "Annette, thank you for having us all. Sharon is priceless; I adore her and am blessed to have her as a second family. She truly is my second mom. She is an amazing friend and confidant and the most honest and trustworthy human being I have ever known. I am blessed to have her in my life. The world is a better place with her in it."

4. The Lake Winnipesaukee Turkey Train:

My mom's birthday gift was a one-day bus trip to climb aboard the Lake Winnipesaukee Train for a delicious turkey dinner while overlooking the lake. I knew there would be a lot of sitting (six hours on the bus altogether) and another 1.5 hours on the train, but I also thought it would be a good trip for my mom who's been having some difficulty with her legs and feet.

The minute I presented her with the gift, she wasn't happy. "That's too much sitting," she argued. "I'm old. I can't do trips like this anymore." For the week leading up to the trip, I had come to the conclusion that I would just go on the trip by myself or maybe beg Lewie to join me. (My husband couldn't go because he needs a full knee replacement surgery.) In the final hours before leaving, my mom decided to go with me after all, and although it was a LONG day, she did have fun. We both had fun, and the turkey dinner was delicious--so was the ice cream at the Kellerhaus, a unique gift shop in Laconia, NH. 

Our first stop was The Common Man Roadside Donut Shop Hookset Rest Area.

We sat by two ladies (around my mom's age) who were larger than life. The two of them travel every week and do ballroom dance competitions with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. The lady next to me had fun memories of her childhood years at Lake Winnipesaukee.  I loved talking with her!

5. A work trip to Virginia:

Last weekend, I went on a work trip to see two college campuses in Virginia and learn about their exciting transfer partnership called ADVANCE.  I was not slated to go as I am an Assistant Director, but nonetheless, my boss couldn't make the trip and asked if I could go in her place. I knew there was a lot going on at home, but at the same time, I felt "important" to be going on this trip, and was really excited to make new work friends. (I felt like I hadn't had a work family since the departure from my last college position in 2022.)

I was surprised by how much I loved both the George Mason University and NOVA (Northern Virginia Community College) campuses. They were lively, beautiful, modern, and thoughtfully designed. For example, Mason had a maker space with 3d printers and sewing machines. I could look down at the operation as there was a glass wall to peer at everything going on from above. Students were hard at work sewing costumes and coding on computers. Mason also had tons of outdoor spaces for students to hang out and eat--Starbucks and Panera being two of the many restaurant choices. 

I wanted to have a picture taken with their "food robot." Little Starship here
(there are a fleet of them)ride around to bring food orders to their student customers.
The robots have sensors, so they are very careful not to get in anyone's way.

The NOVA campus we visited (there are six campuses in all) was home to 14,000 students. There were multiple buildings, aesthetically arranged, which made the community college feel welcoming. Their student center was perfect with an Information Desk, Campus Safety/Student IDs, Business Office, Financial Aid/Financial Stability Office, and Advising/Counseling/Career Counseling all in one location. Seats were arranged in the center of the building (reminding me of an airport), so students could study or work on their computers while waiting to be seen. The Financial Sustainability Office had someone available to help students get resources to SNAP and housing; they also had a food pantry, career closet, etc. to help struggling students, too. (We have them, but their locations are not always easy to find...)

The work visit was fast and furious, but it accomplished what I hoped it would do. I had a chance to learn about the latest trends in transfer partnerships, make new friends, and even get to explore. The Mosaic District of Merrifield is super trendy and happening!  I felt fortunate to have this experience.

In the midst of this fun-filled blur, I also turned a year older. I'm not the big 50 yet, but it's constantly on my mind. I've spent the past two years trying to reinvent myself, and I'm still asking the question, what's next? Will this be the year that I go back to college to pursue an Ed.D.?  I'm not sure, but I think I might be ready to take the leap. Who knows? Maybe I'll be going to college the same time Lewie does. The universe works in mysterious ways...