#ctlocal

The scary popular Harrybrooke Park Haunted Trail is back and better than ever. Reviews are pouring in after Friday’s opening night and by every indication, this year’s trail is the most frightening on record.

“OMG,” said Jane Casamento. “I jumped out of my shoes every time I turned a corner. I’m surprised I didn’t have a heart attack.”

Many features from past haunted trails are back again and there are several new additions--none more terrifying than the surprise appearance of Presidential Candidate Beto O’Rourke, who jumped out from behind bushes and chased startled trail goers.

“I’ve never been so scared in my life,” said Tim Murphy. “As I ran away, all I could hear him screaming was, ‘I’m Beto O’Rourke and I’ve come for your guns!’”

When asked how Harrybrooke Park was able to get O’Rourke to participate, Executive Director, Bill Buckbee confessed, “Actually, he just showed up on his own. I think he thought this was part of a campaign trail.”

If you missed the fun last night, you can walk the Haunted Trail on 10/19, 10/25 and 10/26. There is no guarantee that Beto will be back, however. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit their website.

Mayor Bass believes it is important to honor the diversity that is part of New Milford’s cultural fabric. Throughout the Mayor’s time in office, town hall has organized several ceremonies to honor flags from foreign nations.

Flags from Germany, Italy, Ukraine, Guatemala and other countries have been raised to showcase the diverse heritage of New Milford residents.

In keeping with the tradition, town hall recently decided it was long overdue to honor the foreign country of California. The California Republic colors were recently raised during an intimate ceremony that included a modest number of California transplants who now call New Milford home.

“I’m not sure if California is a foreign country,” said ceremony attendee Juan Cabrillo. “But, it sure seems like it sometimes.” 

Following the ceremony, attendees gathered to enjoy avocado toast and various straw-free, organic beverages. 

Organizers of the newly formed New Milford Concerned Citizens (NMCC) Facebook page are scrambling to address their biggest concern -- that residents are realizing in increasing numbers that the group is really only concerned about Democrats running for office.

“We tried to launch the page and appear non-partisan, but it’s just not working out as planned,” said an anonymous NMCC source. “We want to be recognized as a source for truth, but people don’t seem to be buying it.”

The NMCC page may have to accept that no one believes the page promotes an equal playing field and go all in with its pro-Democratic Town Committee platform.

“If we’re good at anything, it’s that we can take half-truths and use them for political gain” our NMCC source continued. “We don't care if we have to throw town employees under the bus if the ends justify the means. We’ll do it.”