The After Dark Dispatch Fall 2026

Hey there Hikers,

It's been a while.

The last few months have absolutely flown by. Fall is halfway over and as November settles in, I figured it was finally time to sit down and catch everyone up on what's been happening here at Acadia After Dark.

There have been some changes. Some good. Some bad. Through it all, we've kept the lanterns burning and continued sharing stories from the dark places between the pines. There are also some exciting things on the horizon that I'm finally able to talk about, so grab a seat by the fire and let's get into it.

First, I want to get some unfortunate news out of the way.

At the end of October, I was laid off from my position at the Bar Harbor Historical Society along with the rest of the staff. There's a great article in the Bar Harbor Story that covers the situation in far more detail than I intend to here. All I will say is that I can confirm everything shared by the staff interviewed is true.

This will have a direct impact on some of the projects I had planned for Acadia After Dark. My research is currently paused and, since I no longer have access to La Rochelle, I won't be able to carry out the investigation into the reported paranormal activity there in the way I originally intended. That being said, I gathered quite a bit during my time in the building and I'm currently putting together a piece about what I was able to experience there. That project will be released very soon.

I'll also be discussing the situation and sharing some additional thoughts during this month's livestream.

This past few months haven't been all bad.

In October we hosted the very first Lantern-Lit Symposium, bringing together eight horror authors from across the Pine Tree State to discuss what makes Maine such fertile ground for storytelling. It was an incredible experience and gave me the opportunity to meet some truly talented people. Between the books I picked up and the recommendations I received, I have enough reading material to keep me busy through the winter and probably well beyond.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated, and special thanks to Michael Wright and Nomar Slevik for sharing the idea. I have a feeling this won't be the last gathering of its kind.

Around the same time, I was contacted by the owner of a local historic establishment asking whether I had ever heard any stories connected to the property. As it turns out, I had heard quite a few.

After touring the Coach Stop Inn and spending time speaking with the owners, I was fortunate enough to secure the entire property for an overnight investigation. It was a fascinating experience and one that I'm still sorting through. As anyone who has ever done this sort of work knows, reviewing hours of audio and video takes time, especially when you're mostly a one-man operation.

Though anyone who has done this for any amount of time should know, when you find something, it makes all those hours worth it. I'll have plenty more to share once I've finished going through the evidence.

I've also spent much of the fall traveling around Maine collecting stories and meeting people.

At Ghostport, I spoke with folks all along the waterfront who generously shared their experiences and local legends. During the Witchy A-Fair at Definitive Brewing Company, I had the opportunity to interview people whose stories stretched far beyond Maine and, in some cases, far beyond explanation.

A huge thank you to KC for inviting me and for sharing a story of her own.

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been hearing directly from people willing to sit down and tell their stories. Every conversation reminds me that the most interesting folklore often comes from ordinary people who experienced something they still can't quite explain.

That brings me to one of the most exciting developments of the season.

Pro Libris Bookshop in Bangor has officially become the first sponsor and business partner of Acadia After Dark. Tucked away just off the main drag, it's exactly the sort of hidden gem I love discovering. The shelves are packed with history, folklore, horror, occult works, and books from talented Maine authors.

We're already working on some fun cross-promotion ideas together, including an Acadia After Dark sponsored bookshelf and some exclusive goodies for visitors. If you find yourself in Bangor, stop in and say hello.

Of course, keeping these lanterns lit isn't always cheap.

As much as I'd like to spend every weekend chasing ghosts, attending events, and collecting stories from every corner of the state, travel costs money. Because of that, we're actively looking to partner with additional Maine businesses, creators, organizations, and event organizers.

You'll probably hear a few more sponsored messages on our public feeds moving forward, but every one of those partnerships helps make the work possible. If ad-free listening is more your speed, becoming a Lantern Holder on Patreon gets you early access to episodes, bonus content, exclusive updates, and ad-free listening while helping support the project directly.

We've also got some new merchandise arriving just in time for the holiday season if you're looking for gifts for the folklore lovers in your life.

Speaking of partnerships...

I'm incredibly excited to announce that Acadia After Dark has partnered with BibliOddities, a queer and disabled-owned fine fragrance company based right here in Maine.

Over the last few weeks we've been working together on an official Acadia After Dark signature fragrance inspired by the forests, coastline, campfires, and stories that define this region. It's still in development, but I think many of you are going to love what we've put together. More details will be coming very soon.

I've got some fantastic guests lined up for the next several weeks of the Fogcast, but I'm always looking for more voices. If you have a story to tell, a project to share, expertise in some strange corner of Maine history, or simply want to collaborate, don't be afraid to reach out. As I always say, everyone has a story to tell.

Upcoming Events & Appearances

11/7 – Meet the Podcaster @ The International Cryptozoology Museum

12/4 – Acadia After Dark Live @ Emporium Spooky Goods & More

Podcasts

11/2 – Amber Hathaway

11/9 – Samantha Eaton

11/16 – TBA

11/23 – TBA

11/30 – Fogcast Stream

12/7 – TBA

Now before we go, a little bit of knowledge to carry with you.

According to the Farmers' Almanac, November kicks off a run of three consecutive supermoons. It's also said to be a good predictor of the months ahead. As the old saying goes, "As November, so the following March."

There's another saying I've always liked:

"Ice in November brings mud in December."

Living on the coast all these years, that one feels a lot less like folklore and a lot more like a fact of life.

Well, that about does it for this edition of the After Dark Dispatch.

Winter will be settling in along the coast, and there are still plenty of stories waiting to be told. I'll likely move these updates to a quarterly schedule after the holidays so I can spend less time writing newsletters and more time out in the field gathering stories worth sharing.

Until next time, keep those lanterns lit and stay safe out there.

– Reverend Redbeard

© 2024–2026 Acadia After Dark L.L.C. • All rights reserved. Born in the pines and fog of coastal Maine.