Cheers to the weekend, y’all. 🥂

It looks like we have a sunny long weekend ahead with pretty perfect temperatures. If you’re looking to lean into some fall fun, remember to check out this round-up of pumpkin patches across the area—one of these places has pumpkin spice ice cream! 😋

If you like a little spooky, check out these horror movies coming to theaters across the metroplex, including tonight’s screening of “Trick ‘r Treat” at the Texas Theater, which includes a Q&A with the director afterward.

Since Monday is Indigenous People’s Day, you won’t see a newsletter from me then. I’ll be back on Wednesday with an updated list of things to do around the region.

Joi Louviere

Managing Newsletter Editor, Courier DFW

The 7 most haunted spots in Dallas-Fort Worth

Goatman’s Bridge (also known as Old Alton Bridge) is said to be haunted by a half-man, half-goat. (EARTEAGAV/CC-By-SA-4.0)

By Sydni Ellis

“You go first,” my friend whispered in the pitch-black night. I shivered as the chilly fall air left a trail of goosebumps down my arms, and I quickly shook my head no. It was nearing midnight, circa 2009, and—like other brave high schoolers before us—we were hanging out at Mills Cemetery in Garland, Texas.

The challenge? Lie down on Charlie Smiley’s grave to feel his presence weighing you down. It’s long been known as one of the most haunted spots in Dallas-Fort Worth. It turns out, tempting ghosts was not on my to-do list!

In the end, we both chickened out. (What are two scared teenage girls to do when faced with a famous ghost story?) But that hasn’t stopped me from wondering over the years about the legend of Smiley’s Grave and other spooky spots in DFW.

As Halloween creeps in, I’ve researched some of the most haunted spots in Dallas-Fort Worth and the chilling stories behind each. Armed with the benefit of adult skepticism (and a healthy fear of the undead), I’m ready to look back on what scared me so much as a kid.

Here’s our list→

Get $500 to throw a ballot party

To finish out National Voter Education Week, I want to tell you about a cool way to help make sure your friends and family are educated about their ballots.

Sway is a nonpartisan platform that helps everyday people turn their friend groups into voting power. Until Oct. 31, they’re offering $500 to folks who want to host a ballot party.

Here’s how it works. Invite 25 people who are eligible to cast a ballot in this year’s election to your voter group. Only 10 of them need to attend in person. Sway sends you the money through a digital card you can add to your phone’s virtual wallet. You can buy food, drinks, whatever.

At the party, you just discuss the election and then each guest can build their personal ballot guide on Sway—it’s all kept private. Then your guests can text their friends to encourage them to make ballots. Any more questions? Get them all answered here.

Competitive races you may want to discuss →

Forward this email to someone who’ll take any excuse for a margarita. 🍋‍🟩

🍽️ Texas’ best: The 2026 MICHELIN Guide Texas was released Thursday, with 19 starred restaurants on the list, including one local newcomer, Goldee’s Bar-B-Q. See the entire list here. (MICHELIN)

🎂 Rock solid at 100: Dr. Opal Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth, turned 100 on Thursday. Fort Worth celebrated with two events, including a sold-out evening with Michelle Obama at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Hear from Lee and attendees here. (CBS)

😍 Books & pizza: Pizza Hut and Little Free Library have teamed up to give away 24 free “Little Hut Libraries.” Winners will get everything to mount the libraries and 25 books for it, as well as some free pizza. Here’s how you can apply for yours.