October and the buildup to Halloween tend to conjure up spooky images of jack-o-lanterns, black cats, and cemeteries. But here in Mount Desert, there’s nothing to be scared of when it comes to the nearly 30 cemeteries and family burial sites within its borders. They are part of some 110 sites across MDI and the Cranberry Isles that serve as places of peace, reflection, and love.

Fall on Mount Desert Island is a time of change: leaves turning colors, cooler temperatures, shorter days, and the bounty of fall produce. Lucky for us, MDI is home to several farms that make the most of the season by growing and harvesting a wonderful variety of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and more. We’ll focus on three of these farms this season: Beech Hill Farm, Peggy Rockefeller Farms, and Bar Harbor Farm.

As soon as you walk into the garden at Mount Desert Elementary School (MDES), you’re transported to another world. Sunflowers towering overhead, morning glories twisting along the fence, and the low hum of bees buzzing about immediately envelop you. “It’s like a secret garden; an oasis not just for the kids and the community, but for wildlife too,” says Patty Kelley, garden manager and ed tech at MDES.