New Haven is the place to be in Addison County for Halloween activities this weekend. Headlining the annual Spooktacular will be the “Bewitched Haunted Church” on Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Congregational Church. This year’s theme, as chronicled in a recent article in the Independent, is “Witches & Witchcraft.” Enjoy fun activities and a refreshment downstairs while you wait for your tour. There’s also “Trunk or Treat” on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Kids will walk between decorated, participating vehicles in the church parking lot, collecting candy from tricked-out trunks. Prizes will be awarded to the most creative vehicles. These events are sponsored by the Town Events Department and the Congregational Church. Donations are gratefully accepted at the door. Also be aware there will be a Trunk or Treat event in Monkton on Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Monkton Friends Methodist Church. There will be games and puzzles, treats and hot chocolate, and bathroom facilities inside as well. Please bring the kids around to enjoy the festivities.
 
The Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro fire departments are once again conducting a food drive for the Have-A-Heart Food Shelf that serves all five communities. Each fire department (except Starksboro’s) will open its station doors to receive food donations this Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon (Starksboro firefighters held their food drive last Saturday). Last year, the five fire departments collected more than 4,900 pounds of food and slightly more than $1,000 in cash donations. The food shelf currently serves more than 65 area families each month. Supplies are currently very low, according to food shelf officials. Suggested food donations include spaghetti sauce, veggies, soup, tuna, fruit, beans, peanut butter, cereal, rice, mac & cheese, juice, pasta.
 
The Starksboro Village Meeting House Society’s annual ham dinner will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, beginning at 5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church on Route 116 in Starksboro village. The delicious menu features baked ham, mashed potatoes, winter squash, slaw, homemade baked beans, rolls, a variety of homemade pies, and beverages. Tickets for this tasty event, which has been held for over 50 years, are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Family ticket bargains are also available. Reservations are not necessary but if you’d like to reserve seats, call 453-5227 or 453-2079 for a seating at 5 p.m. or 5:45 p.m. Take-outs are also available. All proceeds from the dinner, and a concurrent silent auction, will be used to maintain and preserve the historic meetinghouse building. Meetinghouse boosters will be selling Starksboro woven coverlets, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and “Bertha’s Book,” the town history. More info: starksboromeetinghouse.org.
 
It’s getting real cold, and the United Church of Lincoln has a fuel fund to help people get needed heating fuel. If you’d like to donate to that effort, send a check to the church and put “Deacon’s Fuel Fund” in the memo line. Donations to this fund will help Lincoln residents get fuel and furnace repairs. Church members also run a “wood bank” providing dry cordwood to people who run out and need some in an emergency. If you need or know someone in need of firewood, call the church office at 453-4280. And on a related note, Lincoln has free kindling for anyone who needs it. The pile is located behind 57 Gove Hill Road on the river side, the house opposite the firehouse. Any questions, call Glynn at 349-2126.
 
The Nature Conservancy was scheduled to host a ribbon cutting on the recently completed universally accessible boardwalk at their Raven Ridge Natural Area in Monkton on Thursday morning, Oct. 25. The ADA boardwalk spans 935-feet over a sensitive wetland and leads to a 748-foot accessible trail, creating a third of a mile of access for visitors of all physical abilities. You can find it near 1612 Rotax Road in Monkton.
 
Attention new parents living in Starksboro: You’re invited to the annual Starksboro Baby Brunch, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 3, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the town library. This free event is a celebration of Starksboro babies born and adopted between Sept. 1, 2017, and Sept. 1, 2018. Delicious finger food and drinks will be served, and parents will pick a book and a board book of their own to take home. As an added bonus, siblings are also welcome to pick a book of their own to keep. This event for new parents and babies is a great way to meet other families with new children. This event is sponsored by Starksboro Project READ and the Starksboro Public Library.
 
The Marquis Theater and the Middlebury Police Department are teaming up for a special Nov. 7 screening of “Fallen,” a feature documentary film about the line-of-duty death rate plaguing U.S. law enforcement. The production team visited locations from coast to coast, telling stories of bravery and sacrifice from the perspective of family, friends, loved ones and partners of those who gave everything. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $10. All donations will go to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, which provides fun experiences with children living with cancer and their families. The Marquis Theater doors will open at 6 p.m.; the film begins at 7 p.m.
 
Members of the Middlebury United Methodist Church at 43 N. Pleasant St. have been collecting winter clothing for a traditional giveaway each year around Thanksgiving Day. Coats, boots, sweaters are collected. Some are purchased new with cash donations. A group of knitters makes hats and mittens. The event has helped hundreds of people stay warm. This year, the fifth annual Winter Clothing Giveaway will happen on Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 23-24 and Nov. 30-Dec. 1. Donations may be brought to the church, Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 19-21, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Or, other donation times can be arranged by leaving a phone message at 388-2510.