OCTOBER PUZZLE:

It was a beautiful Cape Cod fall morning. Sunlight filtered in through the mist still clinging to the tops of the trees. The air felt cool and crisp – the kind of morning filled with promise and hope...Cece’s favorite kind of day to set out and explore.

She filled her travel mug with her favorite pumpkin-spice coffee for her fall day adventure. Notes of cinnamon and nutmeg filled the air. She pulled on her hoodie, took a sip, and was enveloped in a cozy warmth. Ahh, she loved the fall. But the thought of where she was going gave her a slight chill.

She had heard about the legend, of course.

But she wanted to see for herself. Could she, too, experience it? See it? Feel it?

There is no shortage of haunted tales here on the Cape, but since she was headed there for a class anyway, it was the perfect opportunity.

As the story goes, there have been several sightings of a woman in the second-floor bedroom window, believed to be the ghost of one of the original inhabitants, Mary Louisa, who died in that very room. Hmmm, she thought. Maybe I’ll catch a glimpse?

There have been other reports as well—people have heard footsteps that sound like someone walking in high heels. Additionally, there have been sightings of apparitions and other unexplained phenomena.

Cece was intrigued. She felt the need to investigate.

Fifty years ago, this would have been a creepy destination indeed. With such a glorious mansion falling into disrepair, it would have made the perfect setting for a horror movie. But, in recent years, this mansion has been entirely remodeled: 3 floors of stunning beauty, brought back to its former glory. It’s a beautiful place to visit now, hosting art shows and classes and performances; surrounded by acres of woodlands filled with hiking trails. What a gift to this town – lovingly donated by a philanthropic soul whose acts of kindness and generosity have benefited the Cape with gems such as this.

Now available to the public, do one (or more!) of the original inhabitants remain? Do you think they are willing to share their space?

Upon Cece’s arrival, she was taken aback by its beauty. The gorgeously manicured grounds. The stately, beautiful mansion. It has a lovely feel to it. Who could ever think this to be haunted?

But just then something caught her eye. The window. Was there something there? Naaaah, must be her imagination getting the better of her. But wait! What’s that??

She was STUNNED.

RADICAL. She thought.

She sips her coffee and SMIRKS.

THE SOLUTION:

There were several color-coded words and many color-coded letters throughout the text. Solvers needed to match the color-coded words with the remaining color-coded letters, each providing a clue:

Pink words: “the original inhabitants”; pink letters scattered throughout the story spelled out: Beebe

                The original inhabitants of Highfield Hall was the Beebe family

Blue words: “philanthropic soul”; blue letters scattered throughout the story spelled out: Lilly

                “…in 1972, the entire estate was purchased by Josephine and Josiah K Lilly III. The Lillys generously gave the nearly 400 acres of Beebe Woods to the town for permanent conservation as green space.”  https://highfieldhallandgardens.org/about-us/history

Orange words: “STUNNED.RADICAL.SMIRKS”; orange letters scattered throughout the story spelled out: what 3 words dot com

                What3words.com is a website that navigates to a precise address by entering three words. Every three meter square on the globe has it’s own unique three word designation. Entering in: STUNNED.RADICAL.SMIRKS (no spaces, with dots in between) will bring you right to Highfield Hall!