So, where do you stand on ghosts? Real, fake, or just good for a laugh? Halloween always drags everyone into the debate, even if you claim you don’t believe in any of it.

Englewood normally moves at its own pace. Quiet coastal mornings, breezes off the Gulf, nothing strange most of the year. But let autumn come around, and suddenly those old ghost stories drift back into the conversation. You get tales from every corner: something about the first cool breeze (or slightly lower humidity) makes the entire region perk up. Haunted houses, weird events, Halloween parties: can’t miss them.

One of our recent stories had everyone buzzing, “The Wild Man of Englewood.” The floodgates really opened as readers sent in their own creepy stories. Yale Street, shady backyards, quiet neighborhoods, you name it. We put together a list of Englewood’s most haunted spots. Take a look. Some might hit close to home.

Switching gears: congratulations are in order for the Rotary Club of Englewood’s Ann Dever Children’s Advocacy Award winners. They held the ceremony over at Ann and Chuck Dever Regional Park this week. Hats off to Brian Faro, who’s been tireless with Big Brothers Big Sisters. And to Dawn and Donnie Stephens, honored for what they’ve done with Spread Spencer’s Sparkle. Your hard work earns this recognition, and you each make the town better for all.

On the sports front, Lemon Bay High School keeps impressing. They announced the September Athletes of the Month, and the Girls Golf team has just clinched its ninth consecutive County Championship. They edged out Charlotte by four strokes, 397-401. That match stayed close right until the final three holes. These athletes refuse to let up. Congrats to them.

There’s more inside. This issue features a profile on Chef Michael Kocinski of Mako’s Coastal Kitchen, plus his responses to the Proust Questionnaire. And the Join the Adventure section goes big: Ed Johnston and Joyce Pilates took the REVIEW with them to Las Vegas to celebrate their tenth anniversary, maybe hoping for a little extra luck?

Have fun this Halloween. Don’t forget, nothing says October like tearing into a big bag of candy, sneaking more than your share, and leaving a few pieces behind for whoever knocks at your door.

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Savannah Pope deserves a huge shout out, as she’s now a two-time County Champion. Lori Henry and Makaila Lindsey also made the All-County team, and their hard work really showed.

Coach Sean Strickland, who leads both Girls Golf and Track, summed it up perfectly: “The girls overcame a slow start and finished strong, winning our ninth consecutive county title. After the front nine, we were trailing by twelve strokes, but the girls didn’t let up. They rallied and ended up four strokes ahead of Charlotte.”

“The heat on the course was no joke, but the girls pushed through. Senior captains Savannah Pope and Makaila Lindsey kept everyone focused, and their leadership carried the team right through to the win. Savannah played a consistent round and won by eight strokes, taking home the County Champion title again.”

Lori Henry, a junior, shot her personal best, the first time she’s ever broken 100, finishing at 98. She joins Savannah and Makaila on the All-County team. Rounding out the squad: sophomores Emma McFarland, Noelle Perin, and Julie Pfaffendorf.

Well done, Lemon Bay Girls Golf. Nine years as county champs. You make Englewood proud. 

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