This Wednesday, the selectmen are holding a public hearing on the referendum vote about the budget committee at 7 p.m. at the town office. This will all sort itself out in the long run, I expect, but we’ll be voting Nov. 4 on any write-in candidates for the budget committee, and separately on whether to repeal the budget committee ordinance. Come to the hearing, see how these items relate to each other, and share your questions and comments.

A couple meetings this Thursday: the history committee gathers at the town hall at 6 p.m., and the Death Café is at the fire station from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This is sponsored by It’s My Death, a new group founded by Westporter Val Lovelace. They’re also presenting a documentary, “A Will for the Woods,” at the Patten Free Library this Saturday at 1 p.m. Give Val a call at 207-240-3186 to learn more about IMD community workshops or discussion groups, or how they can work with you at your home, hospital, or hospice.

The Island Cottage Pantry is changing the monthly schedule beginning this week, to have more convenient daylight hours on Saturdays and Mondays during the cooler/darker months. This Saturday, the pantry will be open from noon to 2 p.m. and next Monday, Oct. 27, stop by from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Calling all ghosts, goblins, witches, dragons, super heroes and crazy politicians! Do you have the cutest, funniest or scariest costume? 

Come and find out this Saturday, Oct. 25 at the town’s annual Halloween Dance and Costume Party, 7 to 9 p.m. at the town hall.

Enjoy treats, dancing to the music of Larry Weddleton, and lots of scary fun. There’ll be prizes for age 12 and under, and 13 and older! Please remember to bring an item to donate to the Island Cottage Pantry. Elsa, Captain America — the Westport Community Association and Human Resource Committee will be looking for you!

Truly, I’ve lost track of all the Halloween activities! In the next week or so, I hope you’re blessed with enough costumes to confuse your friends, and enough friends to share your collection of candy and apples!

Switching seasons for a moment, the first rehearsal for the Christmas Program is this Sunday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. at Carol Blake’s house, 27 Jay’s Lane. Christmas songs — sung and played by an energetic choir and talented musicians — are one of the most wonderful highlights of the season. Are you interested in being a part of our choir, or maybe add your vocals or instruments in solos, duos or trios? Please come on Sunday or call Program Director Wendy Thompson, 207-882-9932.

Listening to wild turkeys and neighboring guinea hens squawking about my yard work. Would they even think of lifting a paint brush or a rake? Grabbing my raincoat at mewbarnes2@yahoo.com.